Lead Event Designer

About Aspen Jewish Congregation

Aspen Jewish Congregation (AJC) is in an exciting period of renewal and growth. With a nationally recognized senior rabbi, a board-approved strategic plan, and robust funding and resources, AJC is poised to expand its impact and strengthen Jewish life across the Roaring Fork Valley (RFV). We welcome everyone—Jewish through birth or conversion, Jewish-curious, Jewish-adjacent, and interfaith families seeking connection and meaning.

Overview

Our Lead Event Designer/ Events Production Manager translates vision into execution and is a cross-functional project manager responsible for planning, executing, and elevating AJC’s programs, events, and community experiences. This individual will understand the standards and nuances of high-end social events and deliver experiences that reflect sophistication, discretion, and exceptional hospitality.

In addition to executing programming, our Lead Event Designer/ Events Production Manager will collaborate closely with operations, marketing, development, and rabbinic leadership. This position requires strong project management skills and the ability to manage multiple timelines, budgets, vendors, and workstreams simultaneously.

This is a hands-on role for someone who thrives on meticulous, time-sensitive execution, anticipates needs before they arise, and ensures that complex initiatives move seamlessly from vision to delivery with precision and excellence.

Core Responsibilities

1. Program and Event Planning

a. Plan and execute the events listed below, between June 1, 2026 and October 4, 2026, for as many as 500 people per event including vibrant music filled worship services, dynamic guest speaker series, exclusive events for high-net worth individuals, outdoor concerts and more. See below for details.

b. Manage full event details: Timelines, maintaining budgets, vendor coordination (including venue owners), logistics, staffing, registration, welcome tables, on-site execution, food/beverage, security, both audio and video, and post-event follow-up.

c. Ensure events are welcoming, accessible, and operationally seamless.

d. Oversee set-up, breakdown, check-in, hospitality, and day-of troubleshooting.

2. Project Management and Operations

a. Serve as the primary project manager across multiple concurrent initiatives.

b. Build and maintain timelines, task lists, and accountability systems to keep staff, volunteers, and leadership on track.

c. Coordinate across departments (rabbinic leadership, executive leadership, development, education, and marketing); schedule regular communication/meetings for input and updates

d. Track budgets, expenses, and operational details with discipline and transparency; proactively flag risks, constraints, and dependencies early. Seek and evaluate multiple competitive bids for vendors and services to ensure cost-effectiveness, quality control, and alignment with organizational standards.

e. Oversee evaluations, surveys, and impact tracking for programs and events.

3. Speaker, Talent and Partner Coordination

a. Coordinate logistics (travel, lodging, hospitality, etc) for visiting talent.

b. Prepare session outlines and briefing materials.

c. Ensure recording permissions, content capture, and post-event distribution (video, podcast, written materials).

4. Funders, Donors and Development Support

a. Support logistics and stewardship efforts connected to development programs and events.

b. Maintain confidentiality and professionalism in all donor interactions.

Qualifications and Profile

• Demonstrated experience designing elite social events and dynamic multi-format programming (music, speaking, presentation).

• Strong project management skills; able to manage multiple initiatives simultaneously without losing focus on details.

• Comfortable working with senior leaders, funders, speakers, and community stakeholders.

• Highly organized, deadline-driven, and detail-oriented.

• Proactive problem solver who anticipates needs rather than reacts to issues.

• Clear communicator, both written and verbal.

• Comfortable working independently while collaborating closely with a small staff team plus volunteers from the congregation.

• Willingness to work evenings, weekends, and holidays as required by program schedule.

Working Structure

• Full-Time seasonal consultant from April - October, 2026.

• Nights and weekends will be required for events.

Compensation

• The total salary for this project is up to $70,000.

• An additional $3000 for subcontracted support hired by the consultant for things like setup, on-site assistance, etc. This fee covers any subcontracted support the consultant elects to engage (e.g., setup crew, logistics support, on-site assistance).

• Hard costs and third-party event expenses (e.g., venue, catering, food and beverage, décor, floral, rentals, audio visual production, security) are not included in this budget and will be contracted by, and paid separately by, Aspen Jewish Congregation.

PRELIMINARY LIST OF EVENTS WITH ANTICIPATED“DAY OF EVENT” NEEDS FROM THE PROJECT MANAGER/EVENT PLANNER

ALL LISTED EVENTS OCCUR BETWEEN JUNE 1, 2026-OCTOBER 2, 2026

Glossary:

• “Minimal day-of prep/clean-up” - <2 hours total day-of prep/clean-up time

• “Medium day-of prep/clean-up” - 2-5 hours total day-of prep/clean-up time

• “High day-of prep/clean-up” - 5 hours total day-of prep/clean-up time

Light support - Primarily present as a point person; minimal facilitation/coordination during the event.

Medium support - Some active facilitation during the event (greeting participants, helping coordinate timing, managing small logistics).

High support - Actively running or managing the event (leading activities, coordinating volunteers, troubleshooting logistics throughout).

Friday Evenings

Shabbat Evening Services, Fridays 6-7pm, Weekly beginning June 5, Aspen Chapel (most weeks)

80-120 people

Worship service followed by light hors d'oeuvres

Minimal day-of prep/clean-up, light support

Cocktails & Conversation, Fridays 4:45-5:45pm, Weekly beginning June 26, Aspen Chapel (most weeks), flows directly into Shabbat evening services.

30-45 people

Learning session with Rabbi Shira, light food & drinks

Minimal day-of prep & clean-up, light support

Shabbat Dinner, Fridays, 7pm, Aspen Chapel, immediately follows Friday evening services on June 19, June 26, July 10, August 28

50-100 people

Catered buffet dinner following worship service

Medium day-of prep & clean-up, high support

Recurring

Ajax Shabbat Morning Service, Saturdays 10:30-11:30am, Top of Aspen Mountain

June 27, July 18, August 15

80-100 people

Worship service with light breakfast

Medium prep & clean-up, high support

Aspen Jewish Conversations, 5:30-7pm, Location TBD

July 23, July 29, August 5

150 people (August 5th potentially 400 people)

Panel of visiting speakers of national/international renown at an Aspen location (not the chapel)

Medium prep & clean-up, medium support

Aspen Jewish Conversations - Workshops, all day, Location TBD

July 22-23, July 29-30, August 5-6

75 people

Workshop events with panel speakers

Medium prep & clean-up, medium support

Aspen Jewish Conversations - Dinners (3)

10-25 people each

Catered dinners for major donors, usually following panels in different peoples’ homes

Minimal prep & clean-up, light support

One-Time

Camp Bashert Shabbat, Friday, June 19, 4pm, Glenwood Springs

80-100 people

Reception, kids activities, worship service, catered dinner

High prep & clean-up, high support

Replaces Cocktails & Conversation and Shabbat evening services that night

Mountaintop Shabbat, Saturday, August 1, 10:30-12, Top of Aspen Mountain

500 people

Worship service with 5 piece band from Boston, catered breakfast

High prep & clean-up, high support

Grandparents and Friends Shabbat Sings, July 31, 4:30-6pm, Aspen Chapel

20-30 people

Tot program with music and family dinner

Medium prep & clean-up, medium support

Bnei Mitzvah, times and locations vary

June 13 (10:30am, Hotel Colorado), June 27(4:30pm, The Collective Snowmass); September 26 (4:30pm, Aspen Chapel)

High-Medium prep & clean-up, medium support

ED Welcome Picnic, Tuesday, July 7, 6:30pm, Aspen Chapel Garden

200 people

Catered BBQ and welcome/thank you gathering

High prep & clean-up, high support

DV Musical Havdalah, Saturday, August 8, 5pm, Camp Bashert Glenwood Springs

50-80 people

Reception, kids activities, short worship service, catered dinner

Medium planning, medium prep & clean-up, medium support

Night of Excellence, Thursday, August 13, 6pm (not definite)

75 people

Panel speakers

Medium prep & clean-up, medium support

Come See Me in the Good Light, Saturday, September 5, 6pm (not definite)

120 people

Movie screening with talkback, local musicians at beginning and end

Medium planning, minimal prep & clean-up, light support

High Holiday season

All worship events on the Aspen Meadows Campus, most at Paepke, one on the lawn in Anderson Park and one in Doerr-Hosier

High Holiday Dates:

• Rosh Hashanah, Friday evening-Sunday September 11-13 *

• Yom Kippur, Sunday evening-Monday September 20-21 *

• Sukkot, September 25-October 2 *

• Simchat Torah, October 2 *

Events include worship services, learning sessions, community programming, and meals. Services range from 100-400 people. Meals include a catered lunch in Anderson Park, catered dinner in Doerr-Hosier, and catered dessert reception at Paepcke Auditorium.

Sukkot: 1-2 worship services and/or meals at the Aspen Chapel, 80-100 people

Simchat Torah, Friday, October 2, 6pm, Aspen Chapel

Final event of the High Holidays season,worship service, reception, with visiting talent/band (100 people)

Pay: $70,000.00 per year

Application Question(s):

• Do you have a valid Driver's License?

Experience:

• Event Planning: 1 year (Required)

Language:

• English (Required)

Ability to Commute:

• Aspen, CO 81611 (Required)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $70,000