Public Events Manager

Public Events ManagerFull-Time • Armada, MI • Reports to Public Events Leadership • Blake’s Orchard & Cider MillWho We Are & About This RoleSince 1946, Blake’s Orchard & Cider Mill has been a cornerstone of Michigan agriculture and agritourism: an 80‑year family operation with deep roots in Armada and a genuine growth ambition. Our mission is to cultivate growth in our people, our community, and our business. We host thousands of guests every year across festivals, seasonal events, and signature experiences that have made Blake’s one of Michigan’s most beloved destinations.Events are central to all three of our pillars. Farm , Community , and Family : they come to life when the gates open, the music starts, and guests make memories they come back to relive. The Public Events Manager is the person who makes that happen, and who genuinely loves doing it.This is not a role for someone who tolerates the chaos of event day. It is a role for someone who is energized by it. You thrive in the intensity of a busy festival weekend, you bring heat to your team when the stakes are high, and you measure your own success by whether the event succeeded, not whether your to-do list got done. You plan well, you execute with urgency, and you hold yourself and the people around you to a standard that shows.You report into Public Events leadership and operate as a full owner of your events: the planning, the coordination, the execution, and the follow-through.Your Role With Blake’s: Key Responsibilities Event Planning & CoordinationYou own your events from the first planning meeting to the post-event debrief. Achievement & Accountability : the plan is yours, the outcome is yours.Plan and manage assigned events from concept through execution: build timelines, coordinate logistics, assign responsibilities, and track every moving partManage vendor relationships for your events including entertainment, rental equipment, food and beverage partners, decor, and suppliesDevelop and maintain event run‑of‑show documents, staffing plans, and vendor contact sheetsCoordinate with Marketing on event promotion, signage, and guest communication in advance of each eventSupport the annual events calendar planning process in partnership with Public Events leadershipOn‑Site ExecutionWhen event day arrives, you are on the floor and you are all in. Passion & Positivity are not soft skills here: they are the energy that keeps a team sharp through a twelve‑hour festival day and makes guests feel it when they walk through the gates.Lead on‑site setup, execution, and breakdown for all assigned eventsManage event‑day staffing teams of varying sizes; assign roles, run briefings, and keep the floor movingIdentify and resolve issues in real time: vendor delays, weather adjustments, staffing gaps, guest concernsEnsure every aspect of the guest experience meets Blake’s standards from arrival through departureConduct post‑event walkthroughs and document outcomes, issues, and improvements for future planningTeam & Staff ManagementYou do not just manage staff on event day, you drive them. Teamwork & Character is what holds a crew together under pressure, and your energy is what sets the ceiling for how hard and how well your team performs.Recruit, schedule, and supervise event staff and volunteers for assigned eventsRun pre‑event staff briefings that set clear expectations and genuine energy: your team should leave the huddle ready to deliverHold people to a standard during the event and debrief honestly after: recognize strong performance, address gaps directlyBuild a team environment where intensity and pride in the work are the norm, not the exceptionCommunicate proactively with Public Events leadership on staffing needs, cross‑event coordination, and team performanceGuest Experience & StandardsBlake’s Family pillar means every guest belongs here the moment they arrive. Your events are where that promise is either kept or broken.Hold every event to a consistent standard of guest satisfaction: cleanliness, flow, hospitality, and attention to detailHandle guest concerns directly and ensure timely, appropriate resolutionBring a Community mindset…