Marketing & Events Specialist

From bustling market days to signature community celebrations, this role puts you at the center of what makes West Allis thrive-local food, local talent, and local fun. The Market & Events Specialist oversees the development and daily operations of the West Allis Farmers Market-Southeast Wisconsin's longest-running outdoor farmers market. Established in 1919, the market is the heart of the West Allis community and a cornerstone of the City's tourism strategy. Hosting market days on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, along with seasonal events throughout the year, the West Allis Farmers Market continues to grow and evolve.

As the Market & Events Specialist, you'll serve as the public face of the market, overseeing weekly operations, planning and executing special events, and ensuring a positive experience for vendors, visitors, and the community. Building on the market's long-standing success, you'll also help create and support seasonal events that engage the community both at the market and throughout the city.

This role includes everything from creative event planning and vendor coordination to marketing, logistics, and day-of management. You'll collaborate with City departments, community partners, and sponsors to deliver memorable experiences that celebrate West Allis's local flavor, attract visitors, and strengthen community connections year-round.

Enjoy a competitive benefits package, including contributory medical coverage, fully paid dental benefits, a dual pension program, and paid time off. West Allis residents earn an additional 5% on top of the pay range.

We're seeking an experienced, community-driven professional with a passion for local food, event coordination, and public engagement to lead the market into its next era. Help us grow the future of the West Allis Farmers Market and create memorable events that make our community shine-apply today!

Operations and Vendor Relations

• Review, process, and manage vendor applications, contracts, and payments.
• Ensure that all applicable licenses, permits, and paperwork is filed internally and/or with relevant agencies.
• Be knowledgeable about exactly where to refer a vendor in need of required licenses or permits.

• Research and visit area farmers markets and makers markets for the purposes of gathering information, recruiting vendors and studying marketing, sponsorship, operations and more
• Identify areas of need for farmer and vendor products, seek, and attract potential vendors and partners that meet the City's plan for market growth.
• Recruit and engage sponsors in supporting the future of the market.

• Onsite management of the Farmers Market from 10:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays from the first weekend of May thru the last weekend of November (closed July 4 and Thanksgiving).
• Onsite management for additional events at the market property including but not limited to Food Truck Friday, Pawtoberfest, Makers Market and Christkindlmarkt.
• Apply and maintain high standards of cleanliness at the market, including sweeping, emptying garbage and other light cleaning

• Assist the City's Marketing and Engagement team with market promotions, including but not limited to sharing approved content on Facebook/Instagram; identifying new marketing opportunities that align with the market's audience and goals; updating the market website using content management system (CMS).
• Keep abreast of trends in the local food and farmers market sectors.
• Maintain West Allis Farmers Market events calendar on website, social media, and public event listings.

• Provide feedback in creation of market's annual budget.
• Manage SNAP (EBT) and Milwaukee Market Match program and monitor budget.
• Maintain accurate and balanced reports on Farmers Market vendor and sponsor payments, balances and revenue.

• Education: High school diploma or GED required; bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Hospitality Management, Events Management, or Marketing Management preferred.

• Experience: Experience: 4-5 years of experience preferred in event management, customer service, hospitality or venue management.

• Skills: Demonstrated managerial experience and proven ability to take ownership of processes required.

• Personal Qualities - For this highly visible new community position the ideal candidate will have a strong interest in positioning the City of West Allis and West Allis Farmers Market as tourism destinations in the area and will bring an appreciation of the benefits of locally sourced food - Proven management skills including a high level of energy, self-motivation, and organizational and communications skills. - A quick learner, adaptable and always looking for process improvements - Individual should be detail orientated, highly organized, process driven and thorough. - A high degree of cultural sensitivity and emotional intelligence while working with a diverse group of vendors and guests. - Strong computer skills, comfortable using and learning new systems.