Position Summary In 2020, Farm Fresh Rhode Island finished construction on a new food hub - a 60,000 square foot building located on a 3.3 acres parcel of land adjacent to downtown Providence. The market hall, community gathering space and demonstration kitchen were created for the purpose of hosting farmers markets and community events that showcase local food and makers. In addition to seasonal farmers markets, we also host regular events by the Providence Flea, the Anti-Robot Club Marketplace and other special events that rent space for use. This role is tasked with ensuring that events both activate our space and connect with our broader community.

The food hub is also home to 8 co-locators. These co-locators are food and farm related businesses and organizations that rent space from Farm Fresh. They include: Anchor Toffee, New Harvest Coffee, Providence Brewing Company, Rheds Hot Sauce, Red Tomato, Robin Hollow Flowers, Tallulahs Taqueria and Wrights Creamery. This role is tasked with working with these businesses and organizations to highlight and promote the collective work that is taking place under one roof. This position will help to raise the profile of this group of individual businesses and drive activity and engagement throughout the building.

Farm Fresh Rhode Island is seeking a dynamic and organized Community Events Director and Co-Locator Liaison to oversee the coordination and execution events, and serve as the primary point of contact for our co-locators and continue to build a sense of togetherness within our building and in the broader surrounding community. This role requires a blend of events management expertise, excellent communication skills, and a passion for supporting local food systems, sustainable practices and local businesses.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Community Event Management:
  • Promote and market Farm Fresh Rhode Island as a destination for special events, trade shows and rentals.
  • Serve as the primary contact for rental inquiries. Plan, coordinate, and execute a variety of rental events including trade shows, markets, community events, corporate events and private functions.
  • Negotiate and finalize rental contracts and coordinate with the Business and Administration Department on invoicing, deposits and billing.
  • Develop and maintain detailed event plans and timelines and work with events staff and the building team to prepare and execute those plans.
  • Manage event logistics with facilities and events staff - including space setup, vendor coordination, AV needs, and onsite event support.
  • Ensure compliance with all local regulations and health and safety standards.
  • Conduct post-event evaluations to gather feedback and improve future events.
  • Hire, onboard and manage Farm Fresh events staff and volunteers
  • Staff and support events as needed.

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``` - Co-Locator Liaison: - Serve as a primary point of contact for all co-locators, addressing any questions, concerns, or needs promptly. - Facilitate regular communication with co-locators to ensure satisfaction and address any operational issues. - Work with the Facilities Director and team to ensure co-locator spaces are well-maintained and meet the needs of each tenant. - Work with the Executive Director and Facilities Director to coordinate lease agreements, renewals, and any changes in tenancy. - Organize and lead quarterly co-locator meetings and community-building activities. - Collaborate with the Communications and Development department on marketing, promotion and advertising for the building and shared promotions with co-locators.

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``` - Administrative Duties: - Maintain accurate records of all events, tenant interactions and any incidents. - Prepare budgets and manage financial aspects related to events and market hall services. - D velop marketing materials and strategies to promote community event rentals. - Collaborate with the marketing team to update event calendars and social media platforms. - Other duties as assigned by the Executive Director or Director of Advancement.

Organizational Responsibilities

• Uphold FFRI Supervisor Standards in line with the Program/Department Director tier.
• Must be able to build relationships with people from varied cultural, economic, educational, racial, and religious backgrounds.
• Must be able to collaborate and work on cross-program and departmental teams and efforts
• Must maintain a customer service orientation while considering solutions and interacting with external partners

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities Needed To Perform This Role

• Must be able to think, react, iterate, and redirect in a fast-paced environment.
• Self-starter and ability to maintain a self-motivating attitude.
• Passion for local food systems and social justice.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with exceptional attention to detail.
• Ability to juggle and track multiple tasks and responsibilities.
• Demonstrated commitment to the success of co-workers and Farm Fresh RIs mission and values.
• Strong project management skills and ability to prioritize and handle a variety of assignments simultaneously in a vibrant work environment.
• Proficient with Google Suite and Microsoft Office Suite

Priority Skills

Candidates with any of the following skills will be prioritized:

• Spanish speaking or non-English language skills
• Deep understanding of communities and neighborhoods of Providence

Physical Demands (Physical, Mental and Environmental)

The following capabilities are required in order to perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations that do not create an undue burden on the company are available to address the following requirements.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit/stand for long periods of time at a desk; use hands to handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls on computers; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear in meetings and on the telephone or on the computer in an office or variable setting.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, and the ability to adjust focus.
• Employees must be able to lift and carry up to 50 lbs.
• Ability to travel, which may include travel via car, train, airline, overnight hotel stays.

Benefits:

• Generous PTO and paid holiday benefits
• Monthly contributions to flexible Health, dental and life insurance plans
• Annual professional development credit and opportunities
• IRA Matching contribution after 2 years of employment

Compensation: $64,480-$71,250

To Apply

• Please send your resume and cover letter to hiring@farmfreshri.org with the subject line Community Events Director and Co-Locator Liaison
• Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Final application deadline is July 22nd, 2024]
• No phone calls or drop-ins please.

Organizational Info

Farm Fresh has grown since achieving 501c3 status in 2007, to capture the public interest in locally grown food and translate it into sales for local and regional farmers and producers. Strongly mission-driven, Farm Fresh RI hosts a variety of programs to enhance the local food system, with particular attention to farm viability and low-income access to fresh food. Farm Fresh also operates a range of marketplace programs (retail, wholesale, proce