Special Events Associate

About Rethos 

We are a 501c3 charitable organization that leads and inspires people to connect to historic places, promoting equity, community vitality, and engagement. Through its programs and services, Rethos advocates for a new understanding of preservation that highlights the histories of underrepresented communities and equitably enhances community vibrancy on a broad spectrum, including activities that directly impact economic and social well-being.  

Rethos is building our team! Rethos is looking to hire and promote a high-functioning, diverse team to work in an environment of inclusion, equity, collaboration, and innovation. Rethos operates in communities in every corner of our home state of Minnesota, six other states, and will be growing into ten additional states over the next few years. We know that our team members should look like and share the lived experiences of these varied communities. For us diversity comes in various forms, including race, gender affiliation, abilities, and socio-economic backgrounds. We welcome, cultivate, and seek out difference. 

Role Overview 

The
Special Event Associate plans and delivers signature Rethos events and supports heritage tourism initiatives in Central Minnesota. This position manages all aspects of The Wrecking Ball gala except promotion and sponsorship acquisition (which are led by the Executive Director), curates and coordinates content for Places Reimagined magazine (published three times per year), runs the Drinking in History speaker series, and dedicates 0.5 FTE to supporting heritage tourism projects. 

The position reports to the Director of Heritage Tourism and collaborates closely with the Executive Director for select fundraising and editorial components. Rethos is a hybrid work place with Monday through Thursday in office and Friday an optional at home or in office workday. Our work is very collaborative. We are looking for people who want to get to know their colleagues and work together toward a shared vision that benefits all communities.  

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES 

Wrecking Ball Gala

• Lead planning and execution of the annual Wrecking Ball gala, including venue coordination, program logistics, vendor management, décor, catering, and volunteer scheduling. 

• Collaborate with the Executive Director on event fundraising, ensuring sponsorship and donor elements are integrated into event planning. 

• Manage event budgets, timelines, and production schedules. 

• Coordinate event set-up, staffing, and breakdown.
  

Places Reimagined Magazine

• Curate content and coordinate production for three annual issues. 

• Work with the Director of Heritage Tourism and Executive Director to develop editorial calendars and thematic concepts. 

• Liaise with writers, photographers, and designers to ensure timely, high-quality content delivery. 

• Coordinate with the Communications Consultant, who leads layout and design, to ensure brand and messaging consistency. 

Drinking in History Speaker Series

• Plan and manage the Drinking in History events, including speaker outreach, venue partnerships, logistics, and onsite management. Currently, Drinking in History is held 5-6 times per year.  

• Maintain event budgets, schedules, and participant communications. 

• Collect and analyze attendance and engagement data to guide future programming. 

Heritage Tourism Program Support (.5 FTE – Central Minnesota)

• Serve as the main point of contact for volunteer recruitment and training for heritage tourism programs in Central Minnesota. 

• Coordinate with the Director of Heritage Tourism to ensure volunteer needs are met and training materials are up-to-date. 

• Provide event coordination, logistics, and operational support for heritage tourism initiatives in the region. 

• Assist with content development and promotional materials for tourism programs. 

• Manage tracking of program metrics, participant data, and partner engagement. 

BACKGROUND AND KNOWLEDGE AREAS 

• Strong event planning and coordination skills with experience managing complex logistics. 

• Ability to develop and manage budgets, timelines, and vendor relationships. 

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills for working with donors, partners, volunteers, and community members. 

• Capacity to manage multiple projects simultaneously and meet deadlines. 

• Experience working in nonprofit, arts, culture, or heritage tourism settings preferred. 

• Comfort with occasional evening and weekend work for events. 

• Valid driver’s license and ability to travel within Minnesota. 

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE 

Required: 

• 3+ years experience in event planning, program coordination, or related field either volunteer or paid. 

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite; familiarity with event management tools or CRM systems. 

Preferred: 

• Fluency in a language other than English (Spanish, Hmong, or Cushite languages preferred). 

• Bachelor’s degree in event management, communications, hospitality, marketing, or related field. 

• Experience in heritage tourism, historic preservation, or cultural programming. 

SALARY & BENEFITS 

Salary: $60,000 
Total Compensation: Approximately $82,900 annually, including benefits and allowances. 
Benefits include low-cost medical insurance, IRA with match, generous vacation, cellular and transportation allowance.