Grace Farms Careers

Grace Farms, 365 Lukes Wood Rd. New Canaan, CT

Responsibilities

In the role of Manager of Events, you will serve on, and provide leadership to, a team that coordinates and executes live and digital programs and events that celebrates and brings to life the place and initiatives of Grace Farms: Nature, Arts, Justice, Community, Faith and Design for Freedom You will be responsible for the supervision of the Events team, and all program logistics, details and inter-departmental communications that go into making these events a success.

Our environment is not a typical corporate events space.  Our clients are not-for-profits, community partners, government entities, and our own internal teams supporting the various initiatives and strategic programmatic goals. You will be part of a team with a strong collaborative work ethic that is passionate about putting their events management skills to work in a mission-driven environment.  This is also not a Monday-Friday 9:00 AM- 5:00 PM job.  Events and Programs take place when the audiences are available which often means before & after hours, as well as on weekends.

Your Day-to-Day

• Supervise the Events Team, overseeing a team of professional Event Specialists and Coordinators. Collaborate with internal & external program owners and team members to execute all major aspects of event management from planning through completion for live and digital events of all sizes and varieties.
• Proactively seek, synthesize and communicate collected information regarding each event/program from and to a variety of sources to ensure that all are appropriately briefed and provided with the information they need to execute successfully on each event and program.
• Collaborate with and work alongside the Technical Director and team to determine the necessary technical supports for events and productions, including the specifications, costs and usage of equipment applied to a wide variety of performances, workshops, annual benefit and other projects.
• Train and coordinate cross-functional visitor engagement team to staff and support events as needed including, but not limited to, talent relations, hospitality, registration and production.
• Direct and coordinate event-related meetings and technical planning sessions with internal teams, invited guests, and partners.
• Develop and maintain relationships with event-related vendors and contractors including, but not limited to external caterers, talent and support staff.
• Ensure compliance with budgetary, contractual, insurance, legal, health and safety obligations.
• Support and strengthen daily operations and resources, ensuring that all administrative duties are delivered with efficiency, high quality and in a timely manner.
• Other professional duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Skills/Abilities:

• Exceptional interpersonal, administrative, and communication skills, and the ability to execute with a high degree of professionalism and excellence, especially under pressure.
• Incredible attention to details and logistics planning skills
• Must be proficient in Microsoft Office, Outlook, and Excel. Mac skills desirable.
• Strong consideration given to candidates with knowledge of CRM and project managing software/platforms.
• Requires a flexible schedule with weekend and evening work.
• This position is primarily based on-site, and the successful candidate must thrive in a place-based, customer facing, collaborative, fast paced environment.
• A positive attitude and self-directed and entrepreneurial work style

Education & Experience:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Event Management, Business Development or Communications preferred.
• Minimum of five (5) years of event planning for cultural, community, or not-for-profit spaces.
• Minimum of two years supervisory experience providing leadership to professionals.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to lift up to 25 lbs., bend, climb stairs, and stand for an extended period of time.

Grace Farms is a center for culture and collaboration in New Canaan, Connecticut. We bring together people across sectors to explore nature, arts, justice, community, and faith at the SANAA-designed River building, situated on 80 acres of natural landscapes. Our humanitarian work to end modern slavery and foster more grace and peace in our local and global communities includes leading the Design for Freedom movement to eliminate forced labor in the building materials supply chain.

Grace Farms is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, and other legally protected characteristics.

Grace Farms, 365 Lukes Wood Rd. New Canaan, CT

Responsibilities

About Grace Farms

Grace Farms is a center for culture and collaboration in New Canaan, Connecticut. We bring together people across sectors to explore nature, arts, justice, community, and faith at the SANAA-designed River building, situated on 80 acres of natural landscapes. Our humanitarian work to end modern slavery and foster more grace and peace in our local and global communities includes leading the Design for Freedom movement to eliminate forced labor in the building materials supply chain.

The Role:

The Catering & FOH Manager strategically oversees, with a keen eye for detail, the daily operations of the FOH of the Grace Farms Commons as well as the internal catering service. This manager is ultimately responsible for ensuring that: 1) the culinary and beverage offerings are presented, sold and served in a most welcoming, safe, efficient and clean environment by staff who are exceptional at providing superior customer service and that; 2) all internal based catering for events, tours, space grants and other programs occurring on site align with the needs and requests for each event in the most exemplary and timely manner each and every time.

Responsibilities:

• Prepares, mentors and utilizes FOH Supervisor to execute daily functions in café operations & catering. Works closely with the FOH Supervisor to provide ongoing training, performance assessment, hiring, coaching and deployment of FOH team (Café Associates) for optimal efficiencies and coverage.
• Leads by example, working FOH shifts with the team serving internal and external customers throughout each week as well as events and other internal catering occasions.
• Oversees the food and beverage (F&B) aspects of all events. Manage and execute F&B services, including coordinating both internal and external catering. Work closely with the events team to ensure seamless service and exceptional guest experiences. Oversees and executes event setups, ensuring proper food and beverage is set up and displayed in the most appealing and logical way.
• Serves as the point of contact for communications with internal colleagues regarding catering needs, work order preparation and execution. Works closely with the Director of Events, Catering & Visitor Experiences, the Chef de Cuisine and the COO on operational needs, changes and improvements to the FOH.
• Prepares the FOH staff with operational, catering and visitor experience information and training so that they can execute their functions with excellence and have the ability to speak confidently with guests about all of the Foundations’ offerings. Instills a contagious and palpable positive, welcoming, energy that creates a world class experience for all visitors and staff who visit the Commons at Grace Farms.
• Seeks and implements efficiencies in café operations considering staffing models, ergonomics, customer communications vehicles and product placement.
• Ensures quality control on all FOH aspects including specials displays, tea tastings, menu placement, overall FOH cleanliness and operations.
• Performs all administrative duties associated with FOH Café & Catering operations including, but not limited to: scheduling, timecards, inventory, ordering, work orders, FOH staff communications/training and coaching.
• Oversees café POS system. Ensures its proper functionality, analyzes reports and recommends changes/enhancements based on data trends.
• Adjusts café services for specific events, such as setting up catering stations, organizing pre-event and post-event refreshment services, and accommodating special requests from event organizers.
• Coordinates with the Events Team to plan and order additional supplies for events, such as alcohol, wares, & décor. Coordinates with external vendors to secure items needed for events, such as rentals, and food.
• With the Chef de Cuisine, ensures compliance with health and safety regulations during both regular operation and events with an emphasis on cleanliness, food safety and staff/visitor well-being.
• Promotes sustainable practices in the FOH operations such as sourcing local and ethical products, in line with Grace Farms’ values.
• Other duties as needed or as assigned.

Qualifications

Required Skills & Abilities

• Must enjoy and have a passion for the food & beverage and hospitality industries.
• Proven ability to lead, manage, coach, mentor and inspire a team effectively.
• Excellent communications and interpersonal skills are a must with ability to extend kindness, patience, with every interaction.
• Proven ability to work comfortably and effectively with computers, POS systems and other visitor facing technologies.
• Must be an experienced team player who is highly organized, adaptable and flexible to meet time, priority and workload demands as well as shifting schedules and unexpected circumstances that come with working with the general public and managing employees.
• Must be able to maintain a calm exterior presence during periods of high volume, high stress, or unusual events.
• Must possess the highest level of integrity defined as being incredibly ethical, professional, responsible, truthful, authentic honest and fair.
• Must be able to work weekends and evenings as needed

Education & Experience

• Must have a minimum of 2 years prior supervisory experience as catering, cafe, coffee shop, small business restaurant manager or similar industry role, with supervisory oversight of a team. Preferably with progressive-growth experience in both FOH and BOH industry related roles.
• High School diploma or equivalent is required. Some college greatly preferred.

Physical requirements

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be regularly required to stand, sit, talk, hear, reach, stoop, kneel, navigate the site to various locations, and use hands and fingers to operate a computer, telephone, and keyboard.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision requirements due to computer work.
• The employee occasionally required to climb, stoop, kneel or crouch.
• The employee must occasionally lift, push and/ or move up to 50 pounds.

Grace Farms offers a competitive benefit package that includes a choice of medical plans, a dental and vision plan, 100% employer-paid basic life insurance and short-term disability and a 403(b)-retirement benefit with an organization match. We encourage our staff to take time-off to rest and recharge and provide PTO, sick, and personal days as well as 11 paid holidays. All staff are welcome to explore the beautiful 80-acres of our preserved land and may take part in any of the numerous public events on-site.

Grace Farms is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, and other legally protected characteristics.

Grace Farms, 365 Lukes Wood Rd. New Canaan, CT

Responsibilities

In 2025, Grace Farms Foundation will celebrate its milestone 10^th anniversary, after opening in October 2015 as a new kind of publicly available place. Across just nine years, the Foundation has brought forth grace and peace into the local and global community through the intentional environment at Grace Farms—with 77 acres of preserved landscape and internationally award-winning buildings by the Pritzker Prize-winning firm SANAA— and our distinct programmatic offerings. These offerings span focus areas of nature, arts, justice, community, and faith, delivered in many different formats and venues and for varying audiences. Programming at and beyond Grace Farms advances the Foundation’s work and key initiatives, creating a community around the work. As such, strategic programming is elemental to experiencing the brand of Grace Farms and serves as the wellspring for future outcomes.

Responsibilities:

• Communicates the creative direction and programmatic theme for each year set by the CEO & Founder and the Chief Strategic Officer & Founding Creative Director Foundation-wide, providing training and guidance to all departments. Serve as a resource for internal programmers and advisors to assist them with translating that vision and how it could be reflected in their particular areas of programming expertise.
• Collaborates with Executive Team Leadership to identify, determine and implement foundation-wide programmatic goals. Serves as the connective tissue and channel for communication between internal/external program leads and the Executive Team.
• Manages the relationships with all external arts & architecture programmatic Advisors, identifying deliverables and ensuring their timely completion in accordance with the standards of the Foundation.
• Works with internal teams to identify opportunities for new programming that engage a wide range of stakeholders, program participants, and thought leaders across fields, disciplines, and areas of concern. Serves as a resource for internal Programmers and Advisors to design programming concepts with an eye toward a rounded experience on site at Grace Farms, connecting physically with the seasons, landscape, and buildings and with other offerings on site and our notable hospitality. Encourages the integration of new fundraising levers into the annual programming cycle, incorporating membership, Grace Farms teas & coffees, and more.
• Serves as a strategic reviewer of newsletters, seasonal program booklets and annual report to ensure they appropriately reflect the annual programmatic goals and storylines. Provides a high-level overview of the annual program calendar, making suggestions for additions, deletions, and combinations as internal and external conditions require and with an eye toward being planful and nimble simultaneously.
• Constantly assesses past and current programming to identify opportunities of growth and evolution which might involve new ways of collaboration, or new systems to better assess impact or program evaluation.
• Assembles, analyzes and constructively shares staff insight and program guest feedback to the Foundation’s programmatic team as part of the cycle of continuous improvement to incorporate important lessons learned, areas to improve, and aspects to leverage in future programming.
• Works with internal team members to identify important local, national and international notable dates in the upcoming programmatic year that could thematically impact or enhance Grace Farms programming decisions.
• Advises the Executive Team in regards to programmatic details such as pricing, expenses and calendaring recommendations.
• Assists in the research and editing of Grace Farms publications. Collaboratively curates publications for the Grace Farms Library and Artists in Residence Program library collection.
• Serves as one of the point of contacts for certain Arts related Talent/Artists in Residence during their on-site visits, coordinating and facilitating the exceptional hospitality so that the Talent can best experience Grace Farms and connect them with the Mission of the Foundation.
• Facilitates and owns important event preparation conversations with the Artist/Talent directly and/or with their agents (as applicable), marshals on-staff talent, and coordinates with Grace Farms event-management colleagues.
• Conducts directed research on select artists and their works identified as potential partners for the Foundation. Develops and stewards relationships with select artists over time.
• Provides support to the Chief Strategy Officer & Founding Creative Director for all 10 Year Anniversary efforts.
• Manages other Special Projects/Initiatives for the Chief Strategic Officer & Founding Creative Director.
• Other professional duties as required.

Qualifications

Required Skills, Qualifications & Education:

• A minimum of ten (10) years of program and management experience.
• Advanced degree or equivalent record of continuing professional development preferred; Bachelor’s degree required.
• Track record of successful supervision of professionals, consultants and/or contractors.
• Experience with developing programming and/or experiences for diverse audiences, particularly in an informal educational setting.
• Demonstrated success with creating, executing, and assessing a variety of institutional programs.
• Some exposure and experience with developing and managing program related budgets – both expenses and entrepreneurial revenue streams for program/institution sustainability.
• Ability to participate in media appearances about Grace Farms programming/serving as a spokesperson for Grace Farms programming overall.
• Voracious intellectual curiosity: an eagerness to learn about new areas, coupled with an orientation of constant improvement.
• Ability to operate as an effective tactical partner as well as a creative strategic thinker.
• Excellent analytical skills and the ability to develop appropriate success metrics across all departments; a high level of comfort with complexity and nuance.
• Sophisticated personal presence, superior interpersonal skills, and a high level of emotional intelligence, with a proven ability to successfully engage with a variety of stakeholders.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills and an inclusive, transparent communication style that fosters cooperation, trust, and teamwork.
• A proven track record of leading with diplomacy, integrity, and sound judgment, as well as a sense of humor and humility.
• Skilled at identifying opportunities for synergy, and able to effectively manage multiple workstreams and projects.
• A positive attitude and self-directed and entrepreneurial work style.
• Ability to work evenings and weekends (with notice, generally speaking) to attend public programming events.

Benefits

Grace Farms offers a competitive benefit package that includes a choice of medical plans, a dental and vision plan, 100% employer-paid basic life insurance and short-term disability and a 403(b)-retirement benefit with an organization match. We encourage our staff to take time-off to rest and recharge and provide PTO, sick, and personal days as well as 11 paid holidays. All staff are welcome to explore the beautiful 80-acres of our preserved land and may take part in any of the numerous public events on-site.

About Grace Farms 

Grace Farms is a center for culture and collaboration in New Canaan, Connecticut. We bring together people across sectors to explore nature, arts, justice, community, and faith at the SANAA-designed River building, situated on 80 acres of natural landscapes. Our humanitarian work to end modern slavery and foster more grace and peace in our local and global communities includes leading the Design for Freedom movement to eliminate forced labor in the building materials supply chain.

Grace Farms is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, and other legally protected characteristics.

Grace Farms, 365 Lukes Wood Rd. New Canaan, CT

Responsibilities

About Grace Farms 

Grace Farms is a center for culture and collaboration in New Canaan, Connecticut. We bring together people across sectors to explore nature, arts, justice, community, and faith at the SANAA-designed River building, situated on 80 acres of natural landscapes. Our humanitarian work to end modern slavery and foster more grace and peace in our local and global communities includes leading the Design for Freedom movement to eliminate forced labor in the building materials supply chain.

Duties:

• Warmly greets all visitors wherever they are assigned that day by creating a welcoming and friendly environment where visitors receive prompt, efficient and pleasant attention whether it be in person, on the phone or via e-mail.
• Efficiently and effectively processes all visitors and members using the appropriate technology at the particular station or event they are assigned which may involve credit card and member card processing. Requests appropriate ID as necessary to ensure the integrity, safety and security of the visitor’s credit card and membership. Follows all established GFF financial/credit card policies and protocols with accuracy, integrity and honesty.
• Anticipates and responds to visitor needs by providing accurate and helpful information about Grace Farms and all its offerings. Provides suggestions for personalized visit itineraries based on the visitors’ needs, interests, time, and other visitors attending with them (family, children, adults).
• Promotes and educates visitors to the benefits of membership and processes membership applications including upgrades and renewals.
• Solicits and records visitor feedback, suggestions, complaints and compliments about their experiences at GFF and make the supervisory team aware of such feedback for use in continuous improvement and quality control initiatives and efforts. Alerts supervisory staff to potential issues, problems and possibilities in a timely manner.
• Continuously expands personal knowledge about GFF, its grounds, offerings, exhibitions, events and initiatives by active participation in training, staying abreast of news, events, and programs through team meetings, verbal, written and electronic communications, asking questions of staff and supervisors, and observing on-site activities.
• Follows all safety protocols when greeting and processing visitors, guests, staff and members at the Welcome Kiosk upon arrival. Provides helpful and friendly guidance and direction to each arriving guest and member to start their visit to GFF in an exceptional manner.
• Using best judgement, respond to visitor situations, calling upon supervisory and safety staff as needed in a timely, calm and clear manner.
• Serves as part of the larger Events & Visitor Experience Team in various visitor experience capacities to extend hospitality to guests at public and private events at Grace Farms including, but not limited to: greeting, registration check-in, wayfinding, and providing necessary information to guests to ensure a welcoming and meaningful event and experience for all.
• Always maintains a positive and professional image, reflecting pride in the position and enthusiasm for the Foundation.
• Constantly contributes positively and enthusiastically as part of a team-oriented department with a “can-do” and joyful attitude.
• Maintains regular and consistent attendance and punctuality.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Skills/Abilities:

• High school diploma or equivalent required. Bachelor’s, or course work related to obtaining a degree preferred. Must be at least 18 years of age.
• Previous experience in customer-service related positions required.
• Proven ability to work comfortably and effectively with computers and other visitor facing technology. Experience with Point of Sale systems greatly preferred.
• High energy, enthusiastic, customer centered intelligence and acumen is essential.
• Must possess superior interpersonal and communications skills, with the ability to extend kindness, grace and joy with every interaction.
• Proven experience as a team player with a “can-do” attitude, highly organized, adaptable and flexible to meet time, priority and workload demands as well as shifting schedules and unexpected circumstances that come with working with the general public. Must be able to maintain a calm exterior presence during periods of high volume, high stress or unusual events.
• Proven ability to work comfortably and efficiently with computers, electronic communications, and other technology.
• Punctuality is key, as well as the ability to work flexible hours including evenings, weekends and some holidays. This position will work both indoors and outside depending on season and weather. Hours are subject to change on a weekly basis due to events and circumstances.
• Must have transportation, valid background check, and ability to work weekends and evenings.
• This position must work on site at Grace Farms in New Canaan, CT.

Physical Requirements:

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to walk or stand, sit, see, read and speak English clearly, hear and use hands to reach, handle or feel.
• The employee is occasionally required to climb, stoop, kneel or crouch.
• The employee must occasionally lift, push and/ or move up to 25 pounds.

Compensation: $20 per hour

MUST have reliable transportation as we are NOT near public transportation.

Grace Farms is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, and other legally protected characteristics.

Grace Farms, 365 Lukes Wood Rd. New Canaan, CT

Responsibilities

About Grace Farms 

Grace Farms is a center for culture and collaboration in New Canaan, Connecticut. We bring together people across sectors to explore nature, arts, justice, community, and faith at the SANAA-designed River building, situated on 80 acres of natural landscapes. Our humanitarian work to end modern slavery and foster more grace and peace in our local and global communities includes leading the Design for Freedom movement to eliminate forced labor in the building materials supply chain.

The Role:

As a Marketing Project Coordinator, you’ll be a key member of the Marketing team, supporting the strategic goals of the organization. Your primary focus will be managing marketing projects and collateral assets. In this role, you’ll monitor project timelines, ensure deadlines are met, and coordinate with internal teams. You’ll be responsible for creating and maintaining project documentation and facilitating communication between team members and stakeholders. Through these efforts, you’ll help the marketing team and other departments reach their project goals, expand our presence across various channels, and support our brand identity as we continue to grow and evolve.

Responsibilities:

• Assist the Project Manager with information and project intake, task scheduling, and project maintenance.
• Plan, define, and manage project timelines to ensure proper movement through the campaign execution process to ensure the accuracy and timely delivery of assets.
• Provide feedback and improvements to enhance project outcomes.
• Coordinate collateral requests; Create and maintain comprehensive, interactive, and actionable meeting notes to ensure maximum communication is achieved across all levels internal and external.
• Maintain project management system to ensure all workstreams are up-to-date and processes are properly documented and communicated.
• Creatively identify efficiencies in production workflow, campaign execution, and improvements to internal stakeholders.
• Develop and maintain relationships with local business to optimize promotional opportunities.
• Implement local marketing strategies, including poster distribution in Fairfield County.
• Update on-site collateral weekly.
• Manage community outreach efforts, including event calendar updates and targeted promotions.
• Support the marketing team in developing and executing event campaigns.
• Perform regular updates to gracefarms.org and designforfreedom.org.
• Monitor and ensure digital information (particularly upcoming events), is current across multiple communication channels.
• Prepare and optimize images for web use.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Required Skills & Qualifications

• Proven working experience in Project management and/or Marketing experience.
• Knowledge of digital marketing channels (web and social media) required.
• Experience with Adobe Creative Suite and/or Adobe InDesign strongly preferred.
• Strong research skills with an eye for detail and organization of information.
• Proven team player with ability to build strong working relationships internally and externally.
• Outstanding interpersonal, oral and written communications skills.
• Demonstrated collaborative team player who can seek information from other departments, translate and share that information effectively and in a timely manner.
• Self-starter who excels with deadline-oriented milestones and can shift with changing priorities. Strong organizational skills with the ability to work in a fast-paced team environment.
• Highest level of integrity with demonstrable record of handling confidential information with discretion.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree required with preference given to Communications & Marketing majors.
• 3-4 years of professional experience within a corporate or non-for-profit communications team.

Physical requirements

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be regularly required to stand, sit, talk, hear, reach, stoop, kneel, navigate the site to various locations, and use hands and fingers to operate a computer, telephone, and keyboard.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision requirements due to computer work.
• Light to moderate lifting may be required.

Benefits

Grace Farms offers a competitive benefit package that includes a choice of medical plans, a dental and vision plan, 100% employer-paid basic life insurance and short-term disability and a 403(b)-retirement benefit with an organization match. We encourage our staff to take time-off to rest and recharge and provide PTO, sick, and personal days as well as 11 paid holidays. All staff are welcome to explore the beautiful 80-acres of our preserved land and may take part in any of the numerous public events on-site.

Grace Farms is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, and other legally protected characteristics.