BASIC FUNCTION:

The Downtown Farmers' Market Manager is the point person for the nationally known Des Moines' Downtown Farmers' Market and plays a supporting role with other Partnership Events. The Downtown Farmers' Market Manager is a positive, self-starter and proven team player with interpersonal skills and expertise to work with multiple stakeholders. This individual has proven event experience, project management skills, is highly detail-oriented, responsive and has strong communications and customer relations skills.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

Listed below are fundamental job duties that an individual who holds this position must be able to perform:

Develops and manages the Downtown Farmers' Market and Downtown Winter Market from the planning stage through execution. This includes being on site at the events for set-up, tear-down and working on site throughout the duration of the events. This includes the management and execution of the following elements of the Farmers' Market and Winter Markets:

Prepares and manages a financial budget for each Market, as well as vendor pricing schedule and operating plan.
Supports revenue-generating programs in close collaboration with the Downtown Events Team; which includes but is not limited to Saturday Salutes, Market Extras and Merchandise Program.
Coordinates onsite sponsor activation and ensures implementation of sponsorship deliverables communicated by Director of Community Engagement.
Manages event ambassadors and volunteers while onsite at The Market, including the public information booth.
Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with the farming and food community, current and potential vendors, sponsors, volunteers, media and the general public.
Manages the vendor application process and maintains strong relationships with Downtown Farmers' Market vendors, including timely responses to calls, emails and questions.
Collaborates with Communications Team on the marketing/communications plan, initiatives, media requests and needed talking points pertaining to The Market and other events. Represents The Market, its vendors and the team in a positive and uplifting manner.
Maintains a strong knowledge of the federal, state and local government policies that pertain to farmers' markets and farmers' market programs; collaborates with The Partnership's Public Policy Team to review policy and develop legislative strategies and communication as it pertains to farmers' market funding, programs and initiatives.
Collaborates with farmers' market professionals and advocates nationwide; identifies trends, challenges and opportunities, creates strategic plans, and recommends and implements best practices at The Markets. Attends conferences, workshops and meetings focused on farmers' markets and events.
Ensures Farmers' Market Operations Manual and Production timelines are up to date with appropriate changes being made throughout the Market season.
Works on site as needed and provides additional support as needed for all other Downtown events, including World Food & Music Festival, Out to Lunch, Holiday Promenade, pop-up activations and more.
Acts as the Event liaison/representative to other Partnership marquee events to assist in preparation, production and execution from an events/logistics standpoint. This helps ensure events maintain a consistent look/feel and provides expertise to other areas of work within The Partnership organization.
Supports the realization of team goals, including usage of CRM/project management software to serve the team's goals effectively and proactively.
Serves as a role model within the organization and a positive representative of The Partnership in the community.
Other Duties as assigned.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

Team player with a positive attitude.
Excellent written and verbal communications.
Ability to problem solve.
Ability to work under pressure to meet deadlines and complete multiple projects in stressful situations.
Strong marketing skills.
Capacity to work independently and demonstrate initiative.
Highly self-motivated.
Ability to be the onsite leader, which includes vendor and volunteer management and make educated decisions, including task delegation in a collaborative way.
Integrate the organization's business strategies by building positive internal and external relationships.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Bachelor's degree in events, business or equivalent.
Three+ years of experience in managing fairs, farmers' markets, tradeshows, or other retail related events.
A minimum of two years' experience with CRM systems.

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