Producing Director, Special Events

Status: Full Time, Exempt
Start Date: November 17, 2025
Reports to: Executive & Artistic Director
Submit materials: through our online portal linked here.
Submit all inquiries to: Alex Francis, ForestTheater.Manager@forestforward.org

Forest Forward is a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization partnering with community stakeholders to drive equitable development, economic mobility, and improved outcomes for children, residents, and families of the South Dallas community. The Forest Theater serves as the anchor institution, with an anticipated grand opening scheduled Fall 2026.

We are seeking a Producing Director of Special Events to join our inaugural leadership team of cultural architects and organizers who collaboratively co-curate, develop and realize an annual season of approximately 180 days of events, programs, presentations, productions and experiences, live at the Forest Theater. Reporting directly to the General Manager, you will lead the planning and execution of all internal special events and external bookings, from high-profile commercial filmings and donor receptions to national conferences and celebratory opening nights. This role demands a creative mindset, exceptional logistical prowess, and a deep commitment to producing welcoming, engaging, and culturally relevant events that amplify our mission.

What You’ll Drive

• Event Planning & Flawless Execution (40%)
  • Event Visionary: Lead the strategic planning and seamless execution of all Forest Forward special events and external contract opportunities including donor receptions, community festivals, and impactful opening nights.
  • Logistical Maestro: Own every detail of event production, from run-of-show schedules and meticulous vendor contracts to precise AV needs, catering, rentals, and flawless onsite logistics.
  • Budget & Schedule Owner: Create and rigorously manage production schedules and event-specific budgets, ensuring fiscal responsibility and timely delivery.
• Cross-Team Collaboration & Guest Experience (30%)
  • Team Coordination: Collaborate deeply with the fund development, production, storytelling, and experience teams to ensure every event is strategically aligned with institutional goals, client needs and guest experience standards.
  • Risk Control : Manage event deliverables and timelines, ensuring seamless cross-functional communication, execution and delivery
  • Experience Designer: Champion our guest experience, ensuring all events are inherently welcoming, deeply engaging, and set a strong customer-driven experience for all attendees.
• Event Tools & Vendor Relations (30%)
  • Impact Evaluation: Facilitate comprehensive post-event evaluation, reporting, and financial reconciliation processes to capture insights and ensure accountability.
  • Operational Templates: Conceptualize and create robust systems for event planning templates, checklists, and repeatable best practices to standardize excellence across all events.
  • Vendor Network: Maintain and nurture relationships with trusted, local and value-aligned vendors while actively cultivating new partnerships that enhance our event capabilities and capacity.

What You’ll Build (Pre-Opening)

As our inaugural Producing Director of Special Events, you will establish the foundational frameworks and relationships necessary for flawless event execution from day one. Key pre-opening deliverables include:

• Comprehensive Event Playbook: Conceptualize, design, and build a detailed event planning playbook, including templates, checklists, and standard operating procedures for various event types for both internal and external stakeholders.
• Valued Vendor Network: Identify, vet, and onboard a comprehensive network of preferred, local and equity-targeted event vendors (e.g., caterers, AV, rentals, decor) with established contracts and rate cards.
• Inaugural Event Calendar & Budgets: Develop the initial event calendar for the pre-opening and grand opening phases, including detailed budgets and resource allocation plans.
• Cross-Functional Event Coordination Protocols: Design and implement clear communication and coordination protocols for events that involve multiple internal teams (e.g., production, campus experience, storytelling, development).
• Guest Experience Design Principles: Establish core guest experience design principles for all events, ensuring cultural relevance, accessibility, and exceptional service from the outset.

Your Direct Impact

This role is absolutely central to elevating the company’s profile and fostering community engagement. You will directly impact:

• Brand Amplification: Produce high-profile events that significantly enhance Forest Forward and the Forest brand reputation and visibility within the community and beyond.
• Resource Generation: Drive substantial revenue through successful fundraising events and external rentals, directly supporting our mission and sustainability.
• Community & Stakeholder Connection: Create memorable experiences that deepen engagement with residents, supporters, partners, and visitors.
• Operational Excellence: Establish streamlined, efficient event production processes that ensure seamless execution and optimize resource utilization.

Tools We Use

Our team relies on a modern tech stack to stay connected and productive, including Dropbox, Slack, Monday.com, Google Suite, RAMP, and Zoom.

What You’ll Bring

• 6+ years of experience producing events in arts, nonprofit, or hospitality settings, with a track record of successful, high-quality experiential event delivery;
• Proven success in managing complex logistics, negotiating vendor contracts, and creating exceptional guest-facing experiences;
• A creative mindset combined with exceptional attention to detail and unwavering follow-through in dynamic environments;
• Comfortable and composed working in high-profile, high-pressure environments, consistently delivering under tight deadlines;
• Strong alignment with our goals for community engagement, cultural preservation, and impactful storytelling;
• A growing passion for equity, impactful storytelling, and our institutional mission to revitalize communities through arts and culture.

Compensation and Benefits

This is a full-time, salaried position with a fixed compensation of $85,000 annually, complemented by a comprehensive benefits package.

Employees who work an average of thirty (30) hours or more on a weekly basis may participate in medical, dental, vision, and other insurance programs. Under these plans, participating employees will receive comprehensive health and other insurance coverage for themselves and their families, as well as other benefits. Forest Forward presently pays a portion of the insurance premium for all eligible employees. Our Employee Benefits Package include the following:

Medical, Dental, Vision and other Voluntary options

Medical Coverage is provided through Blue Cross Blue Shield. Employees are eligible to enroll in the plan within 30 days of their hire date, and the coverage is effective on the first of the following month.

Retirement Plan

Forest Forward offers a 401(k) retirement plan administered by Lincoln Financial Services. Employees are eligible to participate in the plan 90 days after their hire date.

Paid Time Off/Vacation/Sick Days

All full-time employees are eligible to receive 80 hours of vacation time annually, 40 hours of sick time and three (3) paid personal/ or mental health days per calendar year.

Additional Information

This position will require occasional evening and weekend work, in conjunction with major performances and other special events.

Applications and Inquiries

Submissions will be received and reviewed on a rolling basis, through our online portal linked here. Please submit a cover letter and resume with a summary of demonstrable accomplishments. If you are in need of an alternative form of submission, email: ForestTheater.Manager@forestforward.org

Forest Forward provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color,religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.