Community & Events Coordinator

Location: Petoskey, Michigan (In-Person)
Company: Grandpa Shorter’s Gifts

Create Experiences. Build Community. Make Memories.

Do you love bringing people together? Are you energized by creating memorable experiences and making people smile?

Grandpa Shorter’s Gifts is looking for a creative, organized, and enthusiastic Community & Events Coordinator to help plan, coordinate, and execute engaging in-store and community events that create lasting memories while strengthening our connection with Northern Michigan.

From family-friendly activities and seasonal celebrations to downtown collaborations and customer appreciation events, you’ll play a key role in turning great ideas into unforgettable experiences. This position is perfect for someone who enjoys event planning, relationship building, project management, and working with a fun, collaborative team.

What You’ll Do: Event Planning & Execution:

· Plan, coordinate, and execute engaging in-store events from concept to completion.

· Source food, beverages, decorations, and activity supplies while managing event budgets and timelines.

· Communicate event plans, schedules, and logistics with the sales floor team to ensure seamless execution.

· Set up, oversee, and assist with event tear-down as needed.

· Evaluate completed events and recommend improvements to create even more memorable customer experiences.

Marketing & Communication:

· Collaborate with our social media marketer by providing event details, content ideas, photos, and videos.

· Proofread newsletters, social media posts, flyers, and in-store signage for accuracy and consistency.

· Help generate engaging content that showcases the excitement of Grandpa Shorter’s events.

· Serve as the primary point of contact between the social media marketer, sales floor manager, event volunteers, and leadership.

Community Outreach:

· Build relationships with local businesses, organizations, and community partners to develop collaborative events.

· Represent Grandpa Shorter’s through community networking opportunities.

· Participate in media interviews with local television, radio, and news outlets to help promote events and community initiatives.

· Help strengthen Grandpa Shorter’s presence as a welcoming destination in downtown Petoskey.

Project Coordination:

· Lead weekly event planning meetings to brainstorm and coordinate upcoming events.

· Maintain event timelines, checklists, and documentation in Asana.

· Keep projects organized, communicate progress, and ensure deadlines are met.

· Report directly to Jennifer Shorter regarding event planning, partnerships, and project updates as needed.

Our Ideal Candidate:

We’re looking for someone who is:

· Exceptionally organized with outstanding attention to detail.

· A creative thinker who enjoys bringing ideas to life.

· Friendly, outgoing, and comfortable building relationships throughout the community.

· An excellent communicator, both written and verbal.

· Able to manage multiple projects and priorities with confidence.

· Self-motivated and comfortable working independently while collaborating with a team.

· Positive, adaptable, and willing to jump in wherever needed.

· Comfortable using organizational tools such as Asana (or willing to learn).

· Available to work occasional evenings and weekends for special events.

Experience with event planning, hospitality, marketing, project management, tourism, nonprofit organizations, or community engagement is helpful, but it isn’t everything.

The right attitude, creativity, and organizational skills are more important to us than having the perfect résumé. If you’re excited about bringing people together, creating memorable experiences, and making a positive impact in our community, we’d love to hear from you.

Why Grandpa Shorter’s?

For generations, Grandpa Shorter’s has been more than a gift shop—it’s been a place where families start traditions, visitors discover the charm of Northern Michigan, and neighbors gather to celebrate life’s little moments.

We believe shopping should be an experience. Every event we host is an opportunity to make someone smile, strengthen our community, and create memories that people carry with them long after they’ve left our store.

As our Community & Events Coordinator, you’ll have the opportunity to dream up new traditions, bring people together, and help shape the experiences that make Grandpa Shorter’s a destination unlike any other.

If you’re looking for more than just a job—if you’re excited to build community, spark joy, and create experiences people will remember for years to come—we’d love to meet you.

Join us in creating the next generation of Grandpa Shorter’s memories.

Pay: $23.40 - $24.00 per hour

Benefits:

• Employee discount
• Flexible schedule
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan

Application Question(s):

• Please give us a brief (2-3 sentences) description of what great hospitality looks like to you.

Education:

• High school or equivalent (Preferred)

Ability to Commute:

• Petoskey, MI 49770 (Preferred)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $23 - $24