Seasonal - Event Manager (Nationals Park)

Job Description

Job Description

SEASONAL EVENT MANAGER

About Social House Holiday Social House Holiday is the holiday events division of Social House Entertainment. We produce Enchant Christmas, one of the largest Christmas light festivals in North America, running nightly across multiple markets from late fall through early January. Our events are large-scale, immersive experiences built and operated by a seasonal team that comes together each year to pull it off.

About the Role The Event Manager is the on-site floor lead for Enchant Christmas during the operating season, responsible for managing Zone Managers across all areas, directing real-time guest flow and staffing, and executing the event plan each night. The Event Manager is the first decision-maker for operational issues that arise during the event and the primary escalation point for Zone Managers.

This role covers the operating season only. It does not include pre-season planning, load-in, or load-out.

What You’ll DoEvent Operations

• Run pre-open briefings and execute end-of-night close procedures with Zone Managers each operating night

• Manage Zone Managers across all zones; serve as their primary point of escalation during the event

• Monitor guest flow, activation performance, and queue times across the site; redirect staff and resources as conditions change throughout the night

• Handle escalated guest concerns and intervene directly when safety, capacity, or experience standards require it; escalate serious incidents to the Event Producer and ensure required documentation is initiated

• Manage operational relationships with on-site concessionaires and village vendors throughout each event night

• Execute all event programming on-site - theme nights, sponsor activations, private events - per the event plan

Staffing

• Collaborate with the Workforce Manager to ensure staffing levels meet the operational needs of the event each night

• Make real-time staffing adjustments on the floor based on attendance and activation performance

• Direct Zone Managers to adjust area coverage as conditions shift throughout the night

Reporting

• Complete end-of-night operational reports and submit to the Event Producer on schedule

• Track and log incidents, activation closures, and weather impacts throughout the season

• Communicate performance issues and staffing adjustments to the Event Producer in real time

• Contribute to post-season debrief documentation as directed by the Event Producer

Budget management and venue relationships are owned by the Event Producer.

What We’re Looking For

• 3+ years in live event operations, large-scale venue management, or a complex guest experience environment

• Experience managing through working leads or supervisors in a high-volume, multi-zone environment

• Comfortable making real-time operational decisions in a fast-moving environment with imperfect information

• Consistent communicator who flags problems to the Event Producer before they escalate

• Familiarity with workforce management or scheduling platforms (When I Work or similar)

Success Looks Like

• Zone Managers are briefed, deployed, and holding their areas to standard from open to close each night

• Guest flow, activation performance, and queue times are actively monitored and adjusted throughout every shift

• Operational issues are identified, handled, or escalated before they affect the guest experience

• End-of-night reports are submitted to the Event Producer on schedule with accurate data

• The Event Producer is not surprised by problems the Event Manager knew about

Logistics

• Location: Nationals Park - 1500 South Capital Street SE, Washington, DC 20003

• Season: Event Operating Season, November through early-January. Does not include install, load-out, or pre-season planning.
  

• Schedule: Evening and weekend availability required throughout the operating season, including major holiday dates.

• Compensation: $1,800.00 - $2,000.00 Weekly Salary

• Physical requirements: Enchant Christmas venues span 100,000+ sq ft. Frequent walking and standing, outdoor conditions including cold weather, ability to lift up to 50 lbs.

Social House Entertainment is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic under applicable federal, state, or local law.
All employment decisions are based on qualifications, merit, and business needs.