Public Programs Manager

Why Cheekwood?

Working at Cheekwood Estate & Gardens offers you the opportunity to work for one of the most beautiful places in Nashville. Formerly the home of Mabel and Leslie Cheek, Cheekwood now serves the public as a botanical garden, arboretum, and museum with period rooms and art galleries. At Cheekwood, you will have the opportunity to explore a wide range of roles tailored to your skills and interests. Whether you are passionate about horticulture, art curation, historical preservation, or one of our many other career opportunities, you would have the chance to thrive and make a meaningful impact here. Working in such a place that cherishes its rich history, vibrant art scene, and serene gardens offers a unique blend of fulfillment and inspiration. You will find yourself in a supportive environment where every day brings new opportunities for personal and professional growth, amidst the backdrop of picturesque setting.

What does the Cheekwood Education Team do and why join? 

At Cheekwood, the goal of the Education Department is to enrich the experiences of our visitors, members, and class participants. Their primary focus is to foster learning opportunities that blend the natural beauty of our gardens with the historical and artistic aspects of the museum. Members of the Education Department create engaging programs and workshops that explore themes of horticulture and art, aiming to inspire curiosity and appreciation for the natural world and human creativity. By joining the Education Department at Cheekwood, individuals can immerse themselves in a dynamic environment where they play a vital role in engaging in learning experiences. 

What will you be doing?

The Public Programs Manager oversees a broad range of programs intended to reach visitors of all ages and abilities, including adults, families and children. Cheekwood's public programs provide unique opportunities for visitors to experience our botanical garden, historic home, and museum of art through activities that enrich, educate, and entertain. The ideal candidate is creative and highly organized with extensive experience in public program planning and logistics. 

Essential Functions & Responsibilities

• Manage and execute music performances during the following year-round public programming:

1. Seasonal Festivals: Cheekwood in Bloom, Summertime at Cheekwood, Cheekwood Harvest, Holiday Lights
2. Thursday Night Out weekly concert series
3. Multicultural Celebrations: Holi, Black Arts Bash, Japanese Moon Viewing, El Dia de los Muertos
4. Programs enhancing art exhibitions, botanical garden displays and historic initiatives

• Oversee contractors, performers and support staff during events to ensure programs are high quality.
• Responsible for all logistics, planning, and execution of The Exposition of Elegance: Classic Cars at Cheekwood.
• With the support of the Public Programs Coordinator, manage logistics, planning, and execution of Great Spring Art Hop.
• Manage the work of the Public Programs Coordinator and the part-time Sound Technicians.
• Work to cultivate relationships with local musicians and music organizations and maintain infrastructure within Cheekwood to sustain ongoing music programming.
• Seek out community partners, musicians, speakers, etc. to secure participation in public programs.
•  Supports the Senior Director of Public Engagement with all public program logistics and execution, including production, set-up, and tear-down.
• Work closely with museum, garden, and other education staff to develop and implement programs. 
• Provide accurate and timely information to marketing for promotion.
• Utilize Altru software to schedule programs and create customer registration.
• Manage budget and meeting expense/revenue goals related to public programs.
• Responsible for drafting contracts and performer payments.
• Evaluate the performance and delivery of programs.
• Manage inventory of all music equipment and supplies.
• Utilize and troubleshoot basic AV equipment during programs.
• Work as event supervisor as needed on weekends and after hours. 
• Actively researches opportunities for public programs at Cheekwood and prepares cost benefit analysis for presentation at internal meetings; analyzes the effectiveness and cost benefit of all programs for annual review; outlines annual goals, schedules, & timelines for all on-site public programs.

• Bachelor's Degree in Event Management, Education, Communication, Music, Arts Administration, Museum Studies, or a combination of education and equivalent experience in a related field.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

REQUIRED

• Minimum of three years of relevant work experience in a museum, botanic garden, or comparable non-profit organization.
• Experience managing support staff.
• Self-directed with the ability to carefully manage multiple projects at once. 
• Ability to adjust to competing initiatives and evolving priorities.
• Flexible and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment.
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong analytical thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Able to work varied hours and weekends.
• Position requires the ability to stand, walk, and move throughout the property for extended periods.

PREFERRED

• Knowledge of the local music community.
• First aid training is a plus. 

 Benefits

The well-being of Cheekwood employees is essential. So, when it comes to our benefits package, we offer one of the best. We offer the following benefits to all full-time employees:

• Health Insurance with an HRA 
• Dental 
• Vision 
• Life Insurance (100% paid by Cheekwood) 
• Long Term Disability Insurance (100% paid by Cheekwood) 
• Voluntary Life Insurance 
• Short Term Disability Insurance 
• 403b and Roth 403b with a generous employer match 
• Employee Assistance Program 
• Paid Time Off and 11 Paid Holidays 
• Aflac products are offered.