Christkindl Markt Event Operations Coordinator

The Grand Rapids Downtown Market is home to one of the Midwest's premier holiday traditions: the Christkindl Markt. Inspired by the beloved European Christmas markets, the Christkindl Markt welcomes hundreds of thousands of guests each holiday season for shopping, food, entertainment, and festive experiences that celebrate community and create lasting memories.

The Downtown Market is seeking an enthusiastic, organized, and professional Christkindl Markt Event Operations Coordinator to join our Christkindl Markt team! As the Event Operations Coordinator, you will play a vital role in creating memorable experiences for guests by supporting the planning and execution of the Christkindl Markt with efficiency, professionalism, and exceptional hospitality. You'll work closely with vendors, staff, city departments, contractors, and community partners to help ensure every detail comes together seamlessly, from year-round planning to daily event operations during the holiday season.

At our Christkindl Markt, we value individuals who bring energy, collaboration, resourcefulness, and a positive attitude. We strive to provide exceptional experiences while ensuring our guests, vendors, seasonal staff, and community partners feel welcomed, supported, and cared for.

We embrace a high-level, passionate, fun, and engaging set of service standards that encapsulates the magic of the holiday season. Behind every festive moment is a dedicated team committed to delivering an unforgettable experience, and we're looking for someone who shares that passion.

Everything we do is guided by our core values:

• Integrity – We are committed to being honest, authentic, ethical, and trustworthy in every interaction. Transparency isn’t just a policy; it’s a way of life. We believe that when we show up as our true selves, with nothing to hide, we build relationships based on trust—relationships that last.
• Collaboration – We operate in a world where teamwork is the key to success. It’s not just about working together; it’s about communicating often, effectively, and with purpose. Each of us brings unique skills and perspectives to the table, and when we pool these resources, we become unstoppable.
• Resourcefulness – We are solutions-driven, always ready to solve problems creatively and innovatively. In a world that’s constantly changing, we adapt, invent, and remain flexible. Our ability to think on our feet and come up with effective solutions sets us apart.
• Respect – We are committed to positivity and inclusivity. We support each other unconditionally, and that support shows in how we conduct ourselves every day. We believe in the importance of being on time, prepared, engaged, and committed to meeting deadlines. We keep our promises and follow through on our commitments because we know that respect is earned through action, not words. In our space, every voice is heard, and constructive criticism is welcomed.
• Proactivity – We are solutions-driven, always ready to solve problems creatively and innovatively. In a world that’s constantly changing, we adapt, invent, and remain flexible. Our ability to think on our feet and come up with effective solutions sets us apart.
• Fun – We’re not just co-workers; we’re a work family. We share a passion and enthusiasm for what we do, and we celebrate every win, big or small. Whether it’s over amazing food, great beverages, or simply enjoying each other’s company, we know how to enjoy the journey.

As our Christkindl Markt continues to grow, we're excited to add a Christkindl Markt Event Operations Coordinator to our team. This role is instrumental in bringing the event to life, from supporting year-round planning and administration to serving as a Manager on Duty during the holiday season. You'll work alongside the General Manager while collaborating with vendors, seasonal staff, city departments, contractors, and community organizations to help ensure every detail comes together seamlessly.

We value individuals who take ownership of their work, embrace challenges, and genuinely enjoy serving others. If you love bringing order to complexity, solving problems, and making memorable experiences happen behind the scenes, this could be the perfect opportunity for you.

You could be the right person for this important seat if you:

1. Are inspired by our mission, our core values, and the opportunity to help create one of West Michigan's most beloved holiday traditions. You enjoy creating experiences that bring people together and positively impact the community.

2. Thrive in a fast-paced, ever-changing environment. You enjoy balancing administrative responsibilities with hands-on event operations and understand that no two days look exactly alike.

3. Have a bachelor's degree (or equivalent professional experience) in Event Management, Hospitality Management, Business Administration, Communications, or a related field, along with at least 2–3 years of administrative or event operations experience. Whether coordinating logistics, vendors, or staff, you understand what it takes to keep large-scale events running smoothly.

4. Are exceptionally organized. You naturally keep projects, people, and information on track while managing multiple priorities, deadlines, and moving pieces without letting important details fall through the cracks.

5. Are confident using technology to stay organized and communicate effectively. You're highly proficient with Google Workspace and comfortable working with spreadsheets, shared drives, databases, calendars, and other digital tools that support event operations.

6. Have outstanding written and verbal communication skills. Whether you're answering guest inquiries, working with vendors, coordinating with city departments, or supporting seasonal staff, you communicate with professionalism, warmth, and clarity.

7. Excel in a fast-paced environment. You enjoy balancing multiple responsibilities, adapting to shifting priorities, and solving problems in real time while remaining calm, organized, and focused.

8. Think several steps ahead. You're proactive, resourceful, and constantly looking for ways to improve processes, anticipate challenges, and prevent problems before they arise.

9. Build strong relationships with ease. You enjoy working with people from all backgrounds and can establish trust with vendors, seasonal staff, contractors, community partners, and guests alike. You understand that exceptional customer service extends to every interaction.

10. Enjoy being both behind the scenes and in the action. One moment you may be coordinating permits, managing schedules, or organizing inventory; the next, you're walking the event, supporting vendors, answering guest questions, or leading seasonal staff as the Manager on Duty.

11. Appreciate the rhythm of event work. This position generally follows a Monday - Friday schedule from January through October before transitioning to a Wednesday - Sunday schedule during the Christkindl Markt season. You're excited to be fully immersed in the event during November and December and understand that flexibility is part of producing memorable experiences.

12. Take ownership of your work and contribute to a positive team culture. You readily admit mistakes, ask questions, communicate openly, support your teammates, adapt to changing priorities, provide exceptional service, and consistently bring a collaborative, solutions-focused attitude to everything you do.

Why You'll Love Working Here

This is more than an event coordination role. It's an opportunity to help shape one of the region's signature holiday experiences. You'll play an integral role in creating memorable moments for hundreds of thousands of guests while working alongside a passionate, collaborative team that values creativity, hospitality, and community.

If you're looking for a career where your work directly contributes to the magic of the holiday season and creates experiences people will remember for years to come, we'd love to meet you.

Apply today! If this sounds like you, we'll reach out to schedule a conversation.

The Grand Rapids Downtown Market is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, experiences, and identities. We believe diverse perspectives strengthen our team and help us better serve our community.