UTAustin

Events & Exhibitions Coordinator

JOHNSON WILDFLOWER CENTER Full time

Job Posting Title:

Events & Exhibitions Coordinator

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Hiring Department:

Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

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Position Open To:

All Applicants

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Weekly Scheduled Hours:

40

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FLSA Status:

Exempt

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Earliest Start Date:

Immediately

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Position Duration:

Expected to Continue

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Location:

JOHNSON WILDFLOWER CENTER

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Job Details:

General Notes

The University of Texas at Austin Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center is committed to inspiring the conservation of native plants through its garden, education, research and outreach programs. Founded by Lady Bird Johnson and Helen Hayes in 1982, the Wildflower Center is the state botanic garden of Texas, a treasured Austin gem, and a national leader in the field of native plant education, sustainable landscapes, land restoration and research. It is home to the largest living collection of Texas native plants in the state, welcomes over 276,000 visitors annually, has over 17,000 members and reaches more than 2 million people per year through its website and plant database. The Center is focused on improving landscapes, promoting biodiversity, and connecting people with our environment.

Benefits-eligible Wildflower Center staff members enjoy the robust health, vacation, and retirement benefits of The University of Texas at Austin employees. Wildflower Center staff also get free parking and annual membership, discounts on Center classes, access to Wildflower Center featured events, and discounts at the Gift Store. An inspiring and beautiful work environment with outstanding coworkers awaits you.

Purpose

The Events and Exhibitions Coordinator plays a key role in producing the Wildflower Center’s signature exhibitions and supporting a wide range of revenue generating public and private events. This position blends creative development, hands‑on production, and guest‑focused event coordination to deliver memorable experiences that advance the Center’s mission. Working closely with the Director of Hospitality, Events Manager, and cross‑departmental teams, the Coordinator manages exhibition lifecycles, supports event logistics, and ensures smooth, engaging experiences for all visitors.

Responsibilities

Exhibition Planning and Management

  • Plan, facilitate, and execute annual seasonal exhibitions, including Fortlandia, Luminations, Ice Age in the Wild, and new exhibitions.
  • Manage exhibition timelines, track expenses, create installation and deinstallation schedules, and serve as a point of contact for vendors and internal team members.
  • Oversee installation, maintenance, troubleshooting, and breakdown of exhibitions, ensuring safety and quality standards.
  • Collect and submit vendor and artist financial documentation, including invoices, receipts, and payment requests, following Wildflower Center and University of Texas at Austin procedures.
  • Prepare post project reports and documentation.

Creative Development

  • Participate in concept development for new events exhibitions and related programming.
  • Research, evaluate, and recommend new exhibition ideas, materials, and approaches.
  • Collaborate with internal teams and community partners to shape visitor centered experiences.

Event Coordination

  • Support the planning and execution of guest facing programs and events.
  • Coordinate event logistics, including setup, breakdown, vendor coordination, and on site support.
  • Work with the Events Manager to schedule Guest Experience Associates (GEAs) and event staff.
  • Ensure exhibitions and events operate cohesively, especially during peak seasons.
  • Staff and Volunteer Coordination.
  • Train and direct GEAs, temporary staff, and volunteers assisting with exhibitions and events.
  • Coordinate volunteer support with the Volunteer Manager.
  • Communicate schedules, expectations, and updates across departments.

On Site Operations

  • Provide on site management during exhibition runs and events, offering technical, staff, and guest support.
  • Troubleshoot issues related to installations, equipment, and visitor flow.
  • Maintain a visible presence during high traffic periods.

Additional Duties

  • Participate in interdepartmental meetings and presentations.
  • Support exhibition related programming as needed.
  • Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

  • High School diploma or GED.

  • At least 2 years of supporting or coordinating events or exhibitions in hospitality, museums, botanic gardens, or similar.

  • Experience managing multiple projects concurrently.

  • Must be able to communicate clearly, effectively, and comfortably in written and spoken word with staff, volunteers, and the media, individually and in large or small groups.

  • Must be comfortable working outdoors as events and exhibitions are held primarily outdoors.

  • Strong computer skills with a high degree of competency in Microsoft Office suite.

  • Outstanding organizational skills, attention to detail, problem-solving, and ability to be self-motivated, yet flexible and adaptable to unforeseen challenges.

  • Creativity, imagination, and original thinking.

  • Must be able to work both independently and with a team.

Relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Event Planning, Hospitality, Liberal Arts, or a related field.

  • Experience in a university, public event venue, botanic garden, or museum setting.

  • Proven track record in designing and managing successful events, programs, or exhibitions.

  • Project management certification.

  • Experience managing art or light show installations in outdoor spaces.

  • Experience working with tools.

  • Valid Texas driver’s license and clean driving record. 

Driving Required

This job requires a class "C" operator's driver's license. The applicant selected must provide a current three year driving record from the current state of residence. If not currently a Texas resident, a Texas driver's license must be obtained within 30 days of becoming a Texas resident. Employees who are required to have a CDL are subject to drug and alcohol testing (pre-employment, post-accident, reasonable suspicion, random, return-to-duty, and follow-up drug and alcohol testing).

Salary Range

$43,000 + depending on qualifications

Working Conditions

  • Will work in all weather conditions, including extreme temperatures. Events and Exhibitions are produced almost exclusively outside.

  • Long and varied hours, including evenings and weekends, will be required during setup, run time, and breakdown of special events and exhibitions.

  • Work performed on multiple projects concurrently, under pressure of rigid deadlines and time limitations, at night, on weekends, and some holidays. The Wildflower Center is closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve, and New Year’s Day.

  • May work around standard office conditions, including repetitive use of a keyboard at a workstation.

  • Will be required to lift heavy objects.

Work Shift

  • Monday-Friday, 8:00 am - 5:00 pm; evenings, weekends, and holidays will be required during event/exhibition execution. Flexible schedule during days/weeks as required for work. Schedule to be set in consultation with supervisor.

Required Materials

  • Resume/CV

  • 3 work references with their contact information; at least one reference should be from a supervisor

  • Letter of interest

Important for applicants who are NOT current university employees or contingent workers: You will be prompted to submit your resume the first time you apply, then you will be provided an option to upload a new Resume for subsequent applications. Any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) will be uploaded in the Application Questions section; you will be able to multi-select additional files. Before submitting your online job application, ensure that ALL Required Materials have been uploaded.  Once your job application has been submitted, you cannot make changes.

Important for Current university employees and contingent workers: As a current university employee or contingent worker, you MUST apply within Workday by searching for Find UT Jobs. If you are a current University employee, log-in to Workday, navigate to your Worker Profile, click the Career link in the left hand navigation menu and then update the sections in your Professional Profile before you apply. This information will be pulled in to your application. The application is one page and you will be prompted to upload your resume. In addition, you must respond to the application questions presented to upload any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) that were noted above.

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Employment Eligibility:

Regular staff who have been employed in their current position for the last six continuous months are eligible for openings being recruited for through University-Wide or Open Recruiting, to include both promotional opportunities and lateral transfers. Staff who are promotion/transfer eligible may apply for positions without supervisor approval.

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Retirement Plan Eligibility:

The retirement plan for this position is Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), subject to the position being at least 20 hours per week and at least 135 days in length.

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Background Checks:

A criminal history background check will be required for finalist(s) under consideration for this position.

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Equal Opportunity Employer:

The University of Texas at Austin, as an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action. The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.

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Pay Transparency:

The University of Texas at Austin will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information.

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Employment Eligibility Verification:

If hired, you will be required to complete the federal Employment Eligibility Verification I-9 form.  You will be required to present acceptable and original documents to prove your identity and authorization to work in the United States.  Documents need to be presented no later than the third day of employment.  Failure to do so will result in loss of employment at the university.

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E-Verify:

The University of Texas at Austin use E-Verify to check the work authorization of all new hires effective May 2015. The university’s company ID number for purposes of E-Verify is 854197. For more information about E-Verify, please see the following:

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Compliance:

Employees may be required to report violations of law under Title IX and the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act). If this position is identified a Campus Security Authority (Clery Act), you will be notified and provided resources for reporting. Responsible employees under Title IX are defined and outlined in HOP-3031.

The Clery Act requires all prospective employees be notified of the availability of the Annual Security and Fire Safety report. You may access the most recent report here or obtain a copy at University Compliance Services, 1616 Guadalupe Street, UTA 2.206, Austin, Texas 78701.