CHEESE WEEK COORDINATOR & PRODUCER

ABOUT THE ROLE

The Vermont Cheese Council (VCC) is looking for someone to coordinate our largest public event for the year:  Vermont Cheese Week.  The week includes multiple activities that occur across the state, 3 of which are produced by VCC and the rest of which (~30) are contributed to our Cheese Week calendar by partners; these activities altogether are build out this weeklong celebration of Vermont cheese!

The person in this role will be responsible for planning, coordinating, and executing all the nitty gritty details – including building out the 3 events we host during the week, coordinating with partners who present their own activities under our event, and working with our internal team, host locations, members, partners, and volunteers to pull off this incredible week. If you get energized by making checklists to ensure things run smoothly and coordinating contribution teams with many moving parts – this might be the role for you.

This position will be hourly and remote, reporting to the Executive Director (ED). Initially, this will be a part-time role requiring a commitment of 20 hours per week, with the possibility of growth/expansion beyond that.

ABOUT VCC

The VCC is a small nonprofit founded by Vermont cheese producers in order to provide community, education, and business support for Vermont cheesemakers.  Our members include Vermont cheesemakers, as well as the retail shops, restaurants, distributors, state-level parties, and other stakeholders whom they depend upon for their success.  We represent the $650 million Vermont Cheese Brand – and our membership includes cheese producers of every scale, each of which works together through our organization to embrace a culture of mutual support. The Vermont Cheese Council is an equal opportunity employer.

WHY WORK FOR US

Working with us puts you right in the heart of the Vermont cheese industry. In this role, your work will help farmers and cheese producers – supporting their businesses while helping to keep Vermont’s working agricultural landscape vibrant. If you love coordinating group activities and event planning – but aren’t sure you have all the experience we are looking for, please know we hope to help the right person for this role be able to grow to fit it as needed.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Production, Management, & Coordination of Cheese Week

  • Works with the Cheese Week and marketing committees, and our education and development team members, and our Executive Director to help plan for, coordinate, and produce Vermont Cheese Week.
  • Serves as the primary communicator between the event team, vendors, venue staff, and VCC members, ensuring that everyone is aware of their roles and responsibilities
  • Creates and manages detailed timelines, schedules, and information to ensure that all elements of the event occur at the appropriate times
  • Coordinates with internal and external partners to execute event
  • Manages production of Cheese Week event calendar, ticket sales, and attendee communications
  • Recruits for and supports partner relationships – including setup and management of event application processes and paperwork
  • Acts as the main point of contact for vendors such as caterers, audio-visual technicians, entertainment providers and event co-hosts, coordinating their services and contributions
  • Oversees the planning, coordination, setup and breakdown of the event venues for VCC’s 3 hosted components in Vermont Cheese Week, including staff and volunteer team coordination and troubleshooting any issues, that arise during the event
  • Ensures event stays within budget

Marketing & Communications

  • Coordinates and engages frequently (via email and meetings both) with event coordination teams and committees, vendors, partners, and VCC members prior to event launch on through execution to ensure all understand event opportunities, as well as roles and responsibilities
  • Provide written content, imagery, and schedule inputs for VCC marketing efforts
  • Works with partners to support marketing activities
  • Ensuring that attendees have a positive experience by addressing their needs and providing necessary information or assistance.

ABOUT YOU:

  • Experienced event producer and/or coordinator who likes intense larger-event environments
  • You find jumping into team meetings and partner phone calls all day energizing
  • Self-motivated, independent, and able to thrive with autonomy
  • Good at juggling multiple tasks at once and adaptability
  • Enjoy planning and getting into the details to see an experience/project come together smoothly
  • Comfortable working with or learning to work with event registration software/tools
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills
  • Strong organizational skills; able to juggle multiple projects at once
  • Have basic budgeting experience
  • Have vendor and/or partner management experience
  • Able to travel to attend meetings throughout Vermont as needed
  • Legally authorized to work in the U.S.

COMPENSATION:  This position is part-time hourly for 20 hours of work per week. Anticipated compensation $25/hr. Benefits include flex time, holidays, and paid vacation.

LOCATION:  The Vermont Cheese Council is headquartered in Waitsfield, Vermont. This position is remote, requiring occasional travel within Vermont throughout the year.  Candidates suited for this position will be located in/near Vermont.

To apply:  Please submit the following to hiring@vtcheese.com:

  1. A resume
  2. Two references who can help you show off your event coordination skills, letting us know what their relationship to you is
  3. And either in a cover letter or in your application email, tell us briefly why you are interested in this role and answer these three questions:
    • What is your favorite kind of thing to organize (big events, your kitchen, social gathering, processes for people to follow?)
    • Do you have a favorite kind of puzzle?
    • Say you and/or friends are going to do something new/go on an adventure somewhere new; what do you most like to do: (a) Instigate and rally to pull folks together to do it, (b) cheer others on as they take on new adventures, or (c) be in the middle of a group just getting to enjoy the adventure?