Wilkes Community College
Events Artist Relations Specialist
Wilkes Community College, Wilkesboro, North Carolina, United States, 28697
Please see Special Instructions for more details.
Applicants must complete the Wilkes Community College online application process which includes a cover letter, a resume, four professional references, and unofficial college transcripts (if hired, official college transcripts will be required). Applicant must be able to successfully pass a background check.
Note:
It is important that you check the email that you listed on your applications. Updates for this position will be sent through email.
Position Information Job Title: Events Artist Relations Specialist
Job Description This is a full-time, 12-month position reporting directly to the Festival Director. The Events Artist Relations Specialist is responsible for coordinating and managing the artist-focused logistics and operational support for MerleFest and Walker Events. This position ensures the successful planning and execution of artist contracts, schedules, travel, lodging, transportation, credentialing, publicity coordination, and festival database management. Working closely with the Artist Relations Manager and Festival Director, the role supports seamless communication, accurate data management, and adherence to established timelines, while fostering positive relationships with artists, vendors, hotels, transportation providers, and internal departments to deliver a high-quality festival experience.
Job Duties and Responsibilities
Serve as lead team member responsible for festival database system implementation and annual updates in association with Artist Relations and all other modules for MerleFest.
Responsible for working with MerleFest Artist Relations Manager to build contracts and maintain all performance schedules as per MerleFest timeline, and to work with the Marketing Department in getting these schedules posted on the website as per the timeline.
Responsible for gathering all artists’ bios and photos required for MerleFest as per the timeline. Getting this information to the Marketing Department for program production.
Responsible for working with the MerleFest Artist Relations Manager on all artist credentials. This includes gathering the credential requests from the artists, inputting them into the festival database, proofing the master list to ensure everything is correct, and working with artist credential packets. During the festival, work in support of the Artist Relations Manager in handling credential or logistics issues associated with artists and their guests.
Lead efforts to create and maintain relationships with all hotels in Wilkes and the surrounding areas. Responsible for negotiating and contracting pricing for MerleFest and Walker Events. Responsible for booking all reservations, ensuring all artists and guests we book are handled per their contracts, handling any issues with the hotels, and reconciling all hotel bills to ensure all payables are correct. Responsible for working with the Artist Relations Manager and Festival Director in determining which MerleFest artist/guest is placed in what hotel.
Assist the Artist Relations Manager in artist merchandise and mall sales.
Serve as Lead of MerleFest Publicity Team. Funnel all press release drafts to MerleFest publicist. Manage the proofing process and ensure we send the approved releases back to the publicist as per the publicity timeline.
Create and maintain relationships with all rental van/car businesses in Wilkes and the surrounding areas that we may use for MerleFest and Walker Events. Responsible for contracting all services to meet artist contract requirements. Responsible for finding drivers for each vehicle rented and ensuring each driver receives clear directions and times to pick up artists. This is for both MerleFest and Walker Events.
Responsible for all logistics connected with travel for MerleFest. This includes airline tickets, rental cars, hotels, rental vans, drivers, travel authorizations, and related expense reports, etc.
Responsible for the following items. Direct and utilize the Events Operations Coordinator (part-time employee) to ensure these responsibilities are accomplished as per the timeline.
Coordination of all input of credentials into the festival database system. This includes staff roster management, credentials, contacts, weekly master list creation /distribution, maintenance, and final preparations for Festival Check In.
Responsible for entering data into the festival database system for media, radio, and Guests of MerleFest. Also includes proofing and running the master list weekly and after the festival.
Responsible for ordering the following and maintaining sufficient inventory for MerleFest: parking passes, meal cards, wristbands, and laminates.
Oversee the process of Shoppe’s and Heritage Crafts vendors. This includes applications, selection, placement, collections of fees, festival database input, credentials, communications, on‑site management, and follow‑up.
Ensure the timeline is maintained throughout the year.
Responsible for ordering all supplies, travel, and purchase requisitions throughout the year.
Responsible for gathering information to work with the staff accountant in creating the Economic Impact Report after the festival. This includes gathering data, formatting, maintaining, and printing, etc.
Assist Festival Director in projects as directed.
Required Qualifications
2 years of related experience
Preferred Qualifications
Previous work experience with a Festival.
Physical Demands This position operates in a fast‑paced environment that includes both office and on‑site festival settings. Work is primarily performed in an office environment with regular use of computers, phones, and other standard office equipment. The role also requires frequent on‑site presence during festivals and events. The position may involve extended hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays, particularly before, during, and after MerleFest and Walker Events. Work during festivals occurs outdoors in varying weather conditions and may involve walking, standing for extended periods, and interacting with large groups of artists, staff, vendors, media, and the public. Flexibility, adaptability, and the ability to manage multiple priorities under time‑sensitive conditions are essential.
Medium work : Essential functions include sitting for extended periods; standing and walking for extended periods during festivals and events; and using hands and fingers for typing, data entry, handling materials, and operating standard office and event equipment. The employee must be able to occasionally lift, carry, push, or pull materials weighing up to 25 pounds and frequently lift or move materials weighing up to 5 pounds. The position may require bending, stooping, reaching, twisting, kneeling, climbing, and balancing to support logistical and operational tasks. The employee must possess sufficient visual, auditory, and verbal communication skills to review detailed information, interact effectively with artists, staff, vendors, and the public, and safely perform duties in both office and event environments.
Mental Application : This position requires the ability to apply sustained attention, critical thinking, and sound judgment in the performance of essential functions. The role involves organizing and managing detailed information, interpreting verbal and written instructions, prioritizing multiple tasks, and meeting established deadlines in a time‑sensitive environment. The employee must be able to adapt to changing priorities, exercise problem‑solving skills, and make decisions in coordination with established policies, procedures, and timelines. Effective communication, emotional self‑regulation, and the ability to work collaboratively with a diverse group of internal and external stakeholders are essential to successfully performing the duties of this position.
Salary Grade Salary Range: $40,000 to $50,000 based on education and experience in accordance with the college salary plan.
Posting Information Posting Number: 10491P
Open Date: 01/05/2026
Close Date: 01/30/2026
Open Until Filled: No
Desired Start Date: 04/20/2026
Review Start Date: 02/02/2026
Special Instructions to Applicants Applicants must complete the Wilkes Community College online application process which includes a cover letter, a resume, four professional references, and unofficial college transcripts (if hired, official college transcripts will be required). Applicant must be able to successfully pass a background check.
Note:
It is important that you check the email that you listed on your applications. Updates for this position will be sent through email.
Supplemental Questions Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
How did you hear about this employment opportunity?
Wilkes Community College Website
North Carolina Community College Website
College Employee
Local Newspaper
Facebook
LinkedIn
Other
Do you have at least an associate's degree?
Yes
No
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Note:
It is important that you check the email that you listed on your applications. Updates for this position will be sent through email.
Position Information Job Title: Events Artist Relations Specialist
Job Description This is a full-time, 12-month position reporting directly to the Festival Director. The Events Artist Relations Specialist is responsible for coordinating and managing the artist-focused logistics and operational support for MerleFest and Walker Events. This position ensures the successful planning and execution of artist contracts, schedules, travel, lodging, transportation, credentialing, publicity coordination, and festival database management. Working closely with the Artist Relations Manager and Festival Director, the role supports seamless communication, accurate data management, and adherence to established timelines, while fostering positive relationships with artists, vendors, hotels, transportation providers, and internal departments to deliver a high-quality festival experience.
Job Duties and Responsibilities
Serve as lead team member responsible for festival database system implementation and annual updates in association with Artist Relations and all other modules for MerleFest.
Responsible for working with MerleFest Artist Relations Manager to build contracts and maintain all performance schedules as per MerleFest timeline, and to work with the Marketing Department in getting these schedules posted on the website as per the timeline.
Responsible for gathering all artists’ bios and photos required for MerleFest as per the timeline. Getting this information to the Marketing Department for program production.
Responsible for working with the MerleFest Artist Relations Manager on all artist credentials. This includes gathering the credential requests from the artists, inputting them into the festival database, proofing the master list to ensure everything is correct, and working with artist credential packets. During the festival, work in support of the Artist Relations Manager in handling credential or logistics issues associated with artists and their guests.
Lead efforts to create and maintain relationships with all hotels in Wilkes and the surrounding areas. Responsible for negotiating and contracting pricing for MerleFest and Walker Events. Responsible for booking all reservations, ensuring all artists and guests we book are handled per their contracts, handling any issues with the hotels, and reconciling all hotel bills to ensure all payables are correct. Responsible for working with the Artist Relations Manager and Festival Director in determining which MerleFest artist/guest is placed in what hotel.
Assist the Artist Relations Manager in artist merchandise and mall sales.
Serve as Lead of MerleFest Publicity Team. Funnel all press release drafts to MerleFest publicist. Manage the proofing process and ensure we send the approved releases back to the publicist as per the publicity timeline.
Create and maintain relationships with all rental van/car businesses in Wilkes and the surrounding areas that we may use for MerleFest and Walker Events. Responsible for contracting all services to meet artist contract requirements. Responsible for finding drivers for each vehicle rented and ensuring each driver receives clear directions and times to pick up artists. This is for both MerleFest and Walker Events.
Responsible for all logistics connected with travel for MerleFest. This includes airline tickets, rental cars, hotels, rental vans, drivers, travel authorizations, and related expense reports, etc.
Responsible for the following items. Direct and utilize the Events Operations Coordinator (part-time employee) to ensure these responsibilities are accomplished as per the timeline.
Coordination of all input of credentials into the festival database system. This includes staff roster management, credentials, contacts, weekly master list creation /distribution, maintenance, and final preparations for Festival Check In.
Responsible for entering data into the festival database system for media, radio, and Guests of MerleFest. Also includes proofing and running the master list weekly and after the festival.
Responsible for ordering the following and maintaining sufficient inventory for MerleFest: parking passes, meal cards, wristbands, and laminates.
Oversee the process of Shoppe’s and Heritage Crafts vendors. This includes applications, selection, placement, collections of fees, festival database input, credentials, communications, on‑site management, and follow‑up.
Ensure the timeline is maintained throughout the year.
Responsible for ordering all supplies, travel, and purchase requisitions throughout the year.
Responsible for gathering information to work with the staff accountant in creating the Economic Impact Report after the festival. This includes gathering data, formatting, maintaining, and printing, etc.
Assist Festival Director in projects as directed.
Required Qualifications
2 years of related experience
Preferred Qualifications
Previous work experience with a Festival.
Physical Demands This position operates in a fast‑paced environment that includes both office and on‑site festival settings. Work is primarily performed in an office environment with regular use of computers, phones, and other standard office equipment. The role also requires frequent on‑site presence during festivals and events. The position may involve extended hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays, particularly before, during, and after MerleFest and Walker Events. Work during festivals occurs outdoors in varying weather conditions and may involve walking, standing for extended periods, and interacting with large groups of artists, staff, vendors, media, and the public. Flexibility, adaptability, and the ability to manage multiple priorities under time‑sensitive conditions are essential.
Medium work : Essential functions include sitting for extended periods; standing and walking for extended periods during festivals and events; and using hands and fingers for typing, data entry, handling materials, and operating standard office and event equipment. The employee must be able to occasionally lift, carry, push, or pull materials weighing up to 25 pounds and frequently lift or move materials weighing up to 5 pounds. The position may require bending, stooping, reaching, twisting, kneeling, climbing, and balancing to support logistical and operational tasks. The employee must possess sufficient visual, auditory, and verbal communication skills to review detailed information, interact effectively with artists, staff, vendors, and the public, and safely perform duties in both office and event environments.
Mental Application : This position requires the ability to apply sustained attention, critical thinking, and sound judgment in the performance of essential functions. The role involves organizing and managing detailed information, interpreting verbal and written instructions, prioritizing multiple tasks, and meeting established deadlines in a time‑sensitive environment. The employee must be able to adapt to changing priorities, exercise problem‑solving skills, and make decisions in coordination with established policies, procedures, and timelines. Effective communication, emotional self‑regulation, and the ability to work collaboratively with a diverse group of internal and external stakeholders are essential to successfully performing the duties of this position.
Salary Grade Salary Range: $40,000 to $50,000 based on education and experience in accordance with the college salary plan.
Posting Information Posting Number: 10491P
Open Date: 01/05/2026
Close Date: 01/30/2026
Open Until Filled: No
Desired Start Date: 04/20/2026
Review Start Date: 02/02/2026
Special Instructions to Applicants Applicants must complete the Wilkes Community College online application process which includes a cover letter, a resume, four professional references, and unofficial college transcripts (if hired, official college transcripts will be required). Applicant must be able to successfully pass a background check.
Note:
It is important that you check the email that you listed on your applications. Updates for this position will be sent through email.
Supplemental Questions Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
How did you hear about this employment opportunity?
Wilkes Community College Website
North Carolina Community College Website
College Employee
Local Newspaper
Other
Do you have at least an associate's degree?
Yes
No
#J-18808-Ljbffr