The Washington State Fair Events Center (WSFEC) is hiring a Special Events and Food & Beverage Administrator to execute planning and coordination of Holiday Magic, Taste NW and Oktoberfest NW events. This position requires project and production coordination skills to oversee the build-out and readiness of events, as well as providing leadership and coordination for seasonal staff. The position will also be responsible to administer the year-round and WSFEC produced events (Washington State Fair, Spring Fair, Taste NW, Oktoberfest NW and Holiday Magic) food and beverage program for the organization.
Essential Job Duties
Food and Beverage Operations (year-round) • Establish and maintain relationships with food vendors for all Fair-produced and year-round events. • Update vendor information and allocate placement of all food vendors using Customer Relationship Management software (Momentus). • Direct Alcohol Manager on activities related to alcohol retail operations, including purchasing, staffing, inventory controls and alcohol enforcement during events. • Inform Liquor and Cannabis Board monthly about upcoming events with alcohol service and work to ensure that all liquor laws and regulations are being followed. • Review and approve food contracts, settlement sheets and invoicing for food vendors. • Coordinate with appropriate departments for set-up of events. Assist in development and placement of food booths, bars and other activations as needed. • Coordinate and oversee regulatory processes/permitting with additional agencies including the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department, Labor & Industries and others as needed.
Fair Produced Event Support - Holiday Magic, Taste NW and Oktoberfest NW • Administer planning of events through Smartsheet, communicating and collaborating directly with team. • Oversee the execution of event set up with various teams and contractors. • Onsite lead for event operating hours. • Collaborate with the CRO in the development of exhibits and programming that enhance the guest experience at events. • Manage the part-time, seasonal staff hired for set-up and tear-down of events. Hire, train and supervise employees. Manage and mediate any staffing issues. • Trouble-shoot issues as they arise and provide creative and appropriate solutions for event operations. • Create event materials, as assigned, including research, graphic design coordination, inclusion of outside participants and partners as directed by CRO.
General • Attend and participate in various committees, including presenting reports and plans to executive management and other groups as needed. • Attend to correspondence and fields questions from vendors, potential customers and suppliers. • Perform other duties as assigned.
Ideal Qualifications • Bachelor's degree (B.A.) from four-year college or university; and a minimum of seven years related experience; or equivalent combination of education and experience. • Understanding of fair management, accounting, invoicing, marketing, salesmanship, administration, budgeting, and coordinating events. • Basic understanding of food and beverage retail operations. • Excellent organizational, planning and supervision skills. • Effective people skills with the ability to be flexible and to resolve potential conflicts. • Work well under pressure and make decisions in a timely manner. • Ability to work independently and as a contributing member of the Fair team developing a positive atmosphere within the organization.
Capable of self-managing workload and schedule to meet project deadlines.
Experience with project management and team collaboration is needed. Strong focus on details and a high degree of organizational skills.
Compensation & Benefits
The pay range for this position is $32.00 to $43.00/hourly based on an assessment of knowledge, skills and
experience of the candidate offered. Employees are offered healthcare coverage options which include medical, dental, vision, long term disability insurance and are able to enroll in the Fair's 403(b) plan. Employees accrue ten vacation days and eight sick leave days a year, which can be used once accrued. Additionally, employees enjoy fourteen paid holidays throughout the calendar year.