Event Planner at The Corning Museum of Glass – Corning, New York

About The Corning Museum of Glass

The Corning Museum of Glass (CMoG) was established in 1951 by Corning Glass Works (now Corning Incorporated) as a gift to the nation commemorating the company’s 100th anniversary. CMoG is an independent not-for-profit museum dedicated to exploring a single material: glass. Welcoming more than 300,000 annual visitors from around the world, the Museum's campus is home to the world’s most comprehensive collection of glass, the world’s foremost library on glass, and one of the premier glassworking schools in the world. CMoG was named by the New York Times among the U.S. museums to see for 2025, and Newsweek readers voted CMoG one of the Top 3 Best Art Museums in America.

Glass is a versatile, ancient material that is still being explored and understood by artists, scientists, and historians today. The story of glass is a story about art, history, culture, technology, science, craft, and design. 50,000+ objects representing more than 3,500 years of history are included in the Museum’s collection—ranging from a portrait of an ancient Egyptian pharaoh to a 200-inch telescope lens to contemporary sculpture. The Museum regularly publishes journals, educational videos and scholarly publications—many of which can be accessed online from anywhere in the world.

We believe that prioritizing diversity, opportunity, belonging, and accessibility strengthens our Museum and enhances our ability to connect with all communities. We are actively fostering an inclusive culture that values and respects a wide range of perspectives and experiences. Creating a culture of belonging is central to our mission and helps ensure the Museum is welcoming to all.

SUMMARY

Plans, leads, and executes a diverse portfolio of internal and external events for the Corning Museum of Glass. Serves as primary planner for executive-level programs, Advancement and fundraising initiatives, and complex facility rentals.

Directs large-scale corporate events, charity auctions and galas, collector programs, conferences, and community partnerships, including collaborations with performing arts organizations. Oversees comprehensive event logistics and budgets while delivering exceptional customer service and ensuring seamless execution aligned with the Museum’s mission, brand, and strategic goals.

RESPONSIBILITIES (Essential functions denoted with *)

Event Planning and Customer Service

Plans, manages, and executes a variety of event experiences for all Museum stakeholders and external customers. Serves as the primary planner for executive-level internal events, member programs, corporate rentals, fundraising events, conferences and performing art series. *Provides on-site management of assigned events. Serves as the Museum representative, providing direction and execution of logistics to ensure that customer expectations are met.*Partners closely with the Advancement Department to design and deliver high-impact fundraising and donor cultivation events.*Confers with the customer to manage all event objectives and planning details. Develops project plans including timelines, production schedules, floor plans, run-of-show documents, and event briefs. • Builds strong client relationships, serving as a trusted advisor on logistics, costs, production needs, and experience design. Identifies ways to elevate event experiences. *Inputs all event requirement criteria into Artifax for timely and appropriate resource scheduling and allocation. *Coordinates and communicates event requirements with internal partners including AV Production, Operations, Housekeeping, Culinary, Security, Marketing & Communications, and Guest Services, fostering a culture of collaboration.*Works closely with Culinary and catering partners to finalize menus, dietary accommodations, Banquet Event Orders, and service logistics; communicates final counts per established standards.*Conducts thorough post-event follow-up, evaluation, and reconciliation.Researches and integrates industry best practices and trends to continuously elevate event experiencesWorks closely with the Events team in the development of mission-branded events and programs, including preparation of project and production plans. Develops event timelines and schedules “walk-thru” meetings as needed.Establishes and manages event budgets; tracks expenses and reconciles post-event financials.*

Administrative

Coordinates vendor relationships including rentals, production partners, and specialty services; secures quotes and manages delivery, set-up, and strike logistics.*Ensures contracts, insurance certificates, permits, and required documentation are secured and distributed in a timely manner.*Collaborates with Events Specialist on travel logistics, room blocks, honoraria, and talent agreements as neededSells event space to meet customer’s needs while optimizing space and revenue and adhering to Museum policies and procedures.*Ensures that in-house inventory can fulfill client’s requests, working with vendors on rentals to supplement as needed. Research vendors, obtains quotes, establishes set-up/strike guidelines and delivery schedules.*Maintains accurate event records and resource scheduling in Artifax; ensures timely and complete data entry according to standard operating procedures.*

General

Actively and intentionally supports CMOG’s commitment to diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion.Complies with all safety regulations to ensure that all events provide a safe and healthy environment. Confers with the Senior Manager, Environment, Health and Safety prior to confirming events which may have additional security or safety requirements.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Associate’s degree required; bachelor’s degree desired in business or hospitality management.Minimum three years of event planning experience or equivalent combination of hospitality management experience and education.Demonstrated experience planning executive-level events, fundraising initiatives, corporate programs, or live performance events.Strong budget management and project management experience.Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, Teams, SharePoint; experience with Artifax and virtual meeting platforms preferred.Successfully handles multiple projects and tasks; resourceful mindset and flexible.Possess a high level of energy and enthusiasm.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Respects and exemplifies the mission, vision, and values of the Corning Museum of Glass in all interactions with colleagues, staff, volunteers and the public.Represents the Museum in a professional manner.Adheres to all prescribed organizational and departmental policies and procedures.Works well with people from a variety of cultures; ability to maintain an appropriate voice for diverse audiences.Strong interpersonal skills; works effectively and professionally with people at all levels, including external stakeholders. Excellent customer service skills.Highly accurate, detail-oriented and organized; focuses on follow-up.Professionally handles confidential material and associated issues.Handles stress of high customer demands in a hospitality environment.Adapts to changes and complicated situations while maintaining composure and professionalism when events are in progress.Works independently, as well as in a team, with a track record of successful collaboration.Works with minimal supervision while consistently communicating status.Work virtually and effectively adapts to various workplace environments.Some weekends and/or evenings required; flexibility in hours necessary.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is expected to be on their feet, moving between multiple event locations for multiple hours in a day, move about operate/use equipment, communicate, and detect/distinguish. The employee must frequently reach. The employee is occasionally required to ascend/descend, position oneself, and detect/distinguish. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close, distance, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to distinguish color and adjust focus.

The employee must frequently move/transport up to 25 pounds.

The work environment is regularly indoors and climate controlled. The work environment includes occasionally working near mechanical parts and outdoor weather conditions (events). The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate; however, occasionally in louder environments due to concerts, performances, and various events which do not exceed three hours at a time.

SAFETY RESPONSIBILITIES

The employee shall be fully acquainted with and comply with all safety policies and procedures of the Corning Museum of Glass.

CONFIDENTIALITY

Maintain confidentiality of information related to the Corning Museum of Glass and employees that may be encountered, either formally or informally, during the normal course of business.

DISCLAIMER

The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed and is not an inclusive summary of job duties and responsibilities. The omission of specific statements of duties or responsibilities does not exclude them from the position. This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and the employee and is subject to change by the Corning Museum of Glass as the needs of the Museum and requirements of the job change.

The pay range for this role is:70,000 - 74,000 USD per year(Corning Museum of Glass)