Manager, High Museum of Art Wine Auction [Woodruff Arts Center, Atlanta, GA]

Description

POSITION SUMMARY: 

The Manager, High Museum of Art Wine Auction, will manage the High Museum Atlanta Wine Auction, the largest fundraising event for the High Museum of Art and one of the nation’s largest charity wine auctions. The ideal candidate will have strong organizational, managerial and strategic planning skills, creativity for planning special events and excellent communication and presentation skills. Ability to effectively work and communicate with a large volunteer planning committee, wine auction staff, the museum staff and Board of Directors.

Work Schedule:

• Monday – Friday, 9am- 5pm.
• Must be flexible and willing to work long hours as needed. Weekend work required.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following:

• Manage over 30 events including the fall Kickoff, the Top Bidders Dinner in January, Secret Cellars Tour in February, in-home winemaker and chef dinners, Tasting Seminars, a Trade Tasting, Dine Around Dinners, Vintners Lunch & Tour, all leading up to the Wine Auction weekend including the Friday Fete, the Vintners’ Reception and Live Auction and the Wine Down.
• Manage auction staff including assistant manager, coordinators and consultant(s)
• Manage $3 million-plus budget with projected net goal in the $1.5 – 2 million range; manage reconciliation of income and expense accounts
• Oversee management of volunteer co-chairs and planning committee and assist with planning, scheduling, setting-up and staffing all events related to the Wine Auction
• Oversee the solicitation of all donations, maintaining relationships with the wine industry, individual wine donors, and the restaurant and travel industries
• Represent the wine auction and museum both in the community and nationwide
• Develop strategies for cultivation of bidders and donors
• Report on Wine Auction financials for Museum Board committee meetings and/or when necessary to Museum and Woodruff Arts Center executives
• Cultivate and maintain corporate sponsorships generated in concert with the Corporate Philanthropy team at the Woodruff Arts Center
• Oversee all printed materials and auction website (copy preparation, design, mailing) including invitations, posters, auction catalog, brochures, etc.
• Coordinate with the museum’s PR department on publicity and marketing of the event
• Manage site logistics and vendors

Qualifications:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.  The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and Experience:

• Four-year college degree required.
• Five years of special event planning and logistics experience required.
• Knowledge of the wine and food industry helpful.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Word, Outlook and Excel required. Knowledge of Tessitura or other fundraising software preferred.

Skills and Abilities:

• Strong managerial, organizational and strategic planning skills.
• Ability to facilitate and maintain a departmental budget; knowledge of basic accounting skills essential.
• Ability to work with and manage volunteers.
• Ability to solve problems and prioritize needs in a variety of situations.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills.

Physical Demands/Work Environment:

The work environment and physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Some standing, walking, bending, frequent use of hands, stooping and light lifting (at least 10 pounds) is needed.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.