Special Events and Venues Manager (Recreation Programs Manager)

City of Santa Barbara•Santa Barbara, CA

6d•Onsite

About The Position

The City of Santa Barbara is seeking a skilled and community-focused professional to serve as its next Special Events and Venues Manager to lead the City’s special events, filming, venue rental, and City-produced event programs. This position oversees a dynamic portfolio of community-serving programs and high-profile public events. This position leads a professional team and works extensively across City departments and with event organizers, businesses, community organizations, production companies, residents, and other stakeholders. The successful candidate will combine strong management and organizational skills with excellent judgment, customer service, and the ability to navigate complex operational and regulatory issues. With a strong emphasis on event logistics, permitting, public safety, and interdepartmental coordination, this position plays a central role in delivering City-sponsored events and supporting the safe, successful execution of hundreds of small and large public and private events each year. It is also a highly visible, public-facing role that requires frequent collaboration and communication with the City Administrator’s Office, Mayor and City Council, senior leadership across City departments, nonprofit and business leaders, and community members of all backgrounds. The ability to navigate complex stakeholder dynamics with professionalism, diplomacy, and responsiveness is essential to success in this position.

Requirements

Seven (7) years of increasingly responsible professional recreation experience, two (2) of which included the supervision of full-time and part-time professional and support staff.
Graduation from a four-year college or university with a Bachelor's degree in recreation, public or business administration, or a closely related field.
A valid Class C California driver's license and the ability to maintain insurability under the City's Vehicle Insurance Policy.
Knowledge of Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) regulations, County standards and City Municipal Code, and pertinent regulations and standards pertaining to use of City recreation facilities.
Knowledge of theories, principles and practices of recreation programs, event planning, program sponsorship, and leisure management.
Knowledge of information sources and trends in the field of recreation programs.
Knowledge of organization, delivery and management principles related to municipal programs and evaluation practices.
Knowledge of research methods and statistical techniques and applications.
Knowledge of principles and practices of program development and administration.
Knowledge of project management principles.
Knowledge of supervisory principles and performance evaluation practices; employee motivation techniques.
Knowledge of budgeting practices; grant administration practices; purchasing practices.
Knowledge of contract administration practices.
Knowledge of customer service principles.
Ability to operate computer hardware and use information systems and related word processing, database, spreadsheet, and graphics presentation software programs; operate a calculator.
Ability to operate a motor vehicle.
Ability to plan, organize, and implement community programs, events, services, and activities, and identify and recommend program development needs and priorities given available resources.
Ability to develop program goals and evaluate attainment of objectives; establish policies and procedures to address administrative and public needs.
Ability to train and orient a variety of instructors, volunteers, and contract personnel regarding City recreation programs, community services, facility use, and procedures.
Ability to analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions, and implement recommendations in support of goals.
Ability to interpret and apply Federal, State and local policies, laws and regulations.
Ability to research, analyze, and evaluate new service delivery methods and techniques.
Ability to select, train, supervise, coordinate, and evaluate the work of staff and volunteers.
Ability to prepare clear, concise, and complete administrative and financial reports.
Ability to write service contracts and prepare grant applications and sponsorship applications to obtain financial funding.
Ability to work cooperatively with staff, management, Commission and advisory committee representatives, community groups, contractors, vendors, volunteers, and the general public.
Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
Ability to make public presentations.
Ability to exercise judgment with general policy guidelines.
Ability to work independently.

Nice To Haves

Experience in community event management
Experience in facility operations and rentals
Multi-generational recreation experience
Hospitality/tourism
Entertainment, arts or cultural programming
Sources and trends in the field of special events management, hospitality and neighborhood services.

Responsibilities

Oversee coordination, permitting, and City support for large and small public events and filming occurring on City property and in the public right-of-way.
Guide event organizers through the permitting process and coordinate requirements involving Police, Fire, Public Works, Waterfront, Parks and Recreation, and other City departments and regulatory agencies.
Lead the planning and execution of the City’s signature events, including the Independence Day Celebration, the Concerts in the Park series, the Children’s Fiesta Parade, and seasonal programming at the historic Plaza del Mar Park Bandshell.
Oversee the City’s recreation facility and event venue rental program, including weddings, meetings, conferences, and other private rentals at indoor and outdoor venues such as the Cabrillo Pavilion, community centers, and other locations.
Oversee group picnic area and outdoor rental logistics in community parks and open spaces.
Manage operations, permitting, and compliance for the Santa Barbara Arts and Crafts Show, a weekly tradition supporting over 125 local artists.
Serve as the primary staff liaison to the City’s Arts and Crafts Show Advisory Committee, including developing agendas and recommendations, presenting policy and operational matters, facilitating productive public meetings, and ensuring appropriate follow-through on Committee and City direction.
Lead a multi-disciplinary team, including full-time supervisors, coordinators, administrative staff, seasonal employees, and volunteers.
Provide strategic direction, policy guidance, and operational oversight across all assigned program areas.
Serve on the Department’s leadership team and work across the Department to advance projects and priorities of the Department as a whole.
Prepare and manage complex budgets, fee structures, and revenue programs in accordance with City goals and financial policies.
Work closely with internal City departments and external partners to facilitate safe, inclusive, and high-quality events and services.
Continuously evaluate program effectiveness, community impact, and operational efficiency.
Represent program areas to elected officials, boards and commissions, community partners, and the general public.
Lead interdepartmental planning for complex and high-profile events involving public safety, traffic control, street closures, emergency access, sanitation, accessibility, alcohol service, amplified sound, use of public property, and other operational considerations.
Serve as a key City liaison to event organizers, film and production companies, community organizations, businesses, residents, artists and craftspeople, and other stakeholders.
Manage the City’s private venue rental program, including facility utilization, customer service standards, reservation practices, contracts, fees, policies, and operating procedures.
Lead the planning and execution of City-produced events, including development of event concepts, schedules, budgets, contracts, logistics, staffing plans, sponsorships, entertainment, vendors, and day-of operations.
Provide management oversight of the Santa Barbara Arts and Crafts Show, including its year-round operations, participant administration, policies, stakeholder relations, and coordination with other activities along the waterfront.
Serve as staff liaison to the Arts and Crafts Show Advisory Committee and support an effective public advisory process through agenda development, staff reports, presentations, meeting facilitation, and implementation of recommendations and direction.
Evaluate existing programs and business practices and implement improvements to permitting, reservations, technology, customer service, and internal workflows.
Develop and recommend policies, procedures, guidelines, and Municipal Code changes related to special events, filming, facility use, and the Arts and Crafts Show.
Balance support for vibrant community events and private uses of City facilities with public safety, neighborhood impacts, accessibility, environmental considerations, operational capacity, and responsible use of public resources.
Resolve complex and sensitive issues involving competing interests, regulatory requirements, City policies, and community expectations.
Prepare reports, presentations, agreements, correspondence, and recommendations for Department leadership, City administration, advisory bodies, and other decision-makers.
Represent the Parks and Recreation Department at meetings with City departments, community organizations, event producers, businesses, advisory groups, and other stakeholders.