Parks, Recreation & Community Services Manager - Special Events & Cultural Arts

Parks, Recreation & Community Services Manager - Special Events & Cultural Arts City of Redwood City | City of Redwood City | Posted Mar 10 Full-time Redwood City Advanced (5-10 yrs) About the role: The Parks, Recreation & Community Services Manager – Special Events and Cultural Arts is responsible for leading the planning, production, and oversight of the City’s signature special events, while also supporting Redwood City’s cultural arts programming. From large-scale downtown festivals and concerts to cultural celebrations, family events, and community gatherings featured on this position helps ensure that our parks, plazas, and public spaces remain active, welcoming, and full of life. This role oversees the full lifecycle of major community events, including concept development, budgeting, sponsorship coordination, vendor and performer booking, permitting, logistics, safety planning, marketing coordination, and on-site production. Signature events such as outdoor concert series, holiday celebrations, cultural festivals, movie nights, and destination activations require thoughtful coordination with Police, Fire, Public Works, Economic Development, and community partners. The Manager leads cross-departmental teams, supervises event staff, manages complex timelines, and ensures every event is inclusive, professionally executed, and reflective of Redwood City’s diverse and dynamic community. In addition to overseeing special events, this role supports the City’s cultural arts programs and public art initiatives. Responsibilities include serving as staff liaison to the Arts Commission, supporting implementation of the Public Art Master Plan, assisting with Percent for Art ordinance compliance, coordinating with developers on qualifying projects, and helping maintain and promote the City’s growing public art collection. More broadly, this position negotiates, prepares, and manages contracts and agreements with vendors, performers, artists, and community partners, while ensuring compliance with City policies and maintaining strong inter‑agency collaboration. Ideal Candidate The ideal candidate will be a creative, organized, and collaborative professional with experience in managing large-scale community events and cultural arts programming. They will bring both vision and attention to detail, balancing the excitement of producing vibrant cultural events with the administrative expertise required to manage contracts, budgets, and ordinance compliance. This role calls for someone who thrives in dynamic, fast‑paced environments and can successfully lead teams while building strong partnerships with artists, nonprofits, cultural organizations, developers, and other City departments. The ideal candidate will also demonstrate confidence in public engagement, including presenting to City Council, the Arts Commission, and community stakeholders. Familiarity with grant funding and sponsorship development is also an asset. Most importantly, the ideal candidate is passionate about using special events, arts and culture to strengthen community connections and celebrate the diversity of Redwood City. What you will do, at a glance: As Redwood City’s Special Events and Cultural Arts Manager , you will: Plan, direct, and oversee the City’s community events, festivals, and cultural arts programs. Provide technical, permitting and event related assistance. Manage event schedules and supervise event staff. Lead marketing and outreach efforts to promote special events, arts and cultural initiatives. Manage budgets, contracts, and sponsorships while ensuring compliance with City policies. Collaborate across City departments and with regional partners to ensure safe, inclusive, and well‑coordinated events and programs. Manage website content related to the Special Events, Arts Commission and Public Art. Lead and support staff, contractors, and volunteers to deliver high‑quality events and public art initiatives. Serve as staff liaison to the Arts Commission and Parks and Arts Foundation. Guide the implementation of the Public Art Master Plan. Manage the City’s Public Art App. Build strong partnerships with artists, cultural organizations, community groups, and developers on projects that enhance Redwood City’s creative landscape. Promote and maintain records of public art, and support recognition of the City’s cultural assets. Ensure compliance with safety and environmental standards and regulations related to public events. Perform other duties as assigned. #J-18808-Ljbffr SupportFinity™