Employment
Operations and Events Manager (Full-Time)
The National Writers Series (NWS) seeks a highly organized, detail-oriented Operations & Events Manager to lead the logistical execution of our nationally recognized author events and support the day-to-day operations of the organization.
This role is central to ensuring that events, patron communications, and internal systems run smoothly. The Operations & Events Manager serves as the primary coordinator for event logistics, customer service, and administrative processes, working closely with the Executive Director and collaborating with staff, volunteers, and community partners.
This position is part of a leadership transition at NWS and will include a training period working closely with current leadership before taking on full responsibility for event execution and operations.
Tentative Start Date: May 4, 2026
The selected candidate will begin training immediately and is expected to participate in preparation for early May events, with increasing responsibility throughout the summer event season.
Key Responsibilities
Event Planning & Execution
- Coordinate logistics for all author events from planning through post-event follow-up
- Communicate with authors’ publicists regarding schedules, travel, and event details
- Prepare detailed author itineraries and hospitality plans
- Coordinate venues, vendors, and event timelines
- Organize and manage event volunteers
- Coordinate book sales and post-event signings
- Transport materials and oversee event setup
- Serve as on-site lead to ensure events run smoothly
- Track attendance, ticketing, and event performance
Note: This role requires availability for evening and occasional weekend events, particularly during the summer season.
Patron Communications & Customer Service
- Manage ticketing inquiries via TicketTailor and [email protected]
- Respond to patron questions regarding events, tickets, and logistics
- Troubleshoot ticketing issues, refunds, and exchanges
- Answer and screen incoming office phone calls
- Ensure a responsive and welcoming experience for all patrons
Administrative & Office Operations
- Manage the organization’s primary inbox and phone line
- Collect and process incoming mail and donations
- Record donor gifts and patron data in Salesforce
- Draft donor acknowledgment letters for Executive Director signature
- Maintain organized records and administrative systems
- Support internal scheduling and meeting preparation
Financial & Data Support
- Process accounts payable and receivable
- Coordinate payroll with external bookkeeping partners
- Assist with financial tracking and reporting
- Support preparation of year-end tax documentation
- Generate reports using Salesforce and Excel
Donor & Development Support
- Maintain donor records and giving history
- Assist with donor communications and acknowledgments
- Support donor experience at events
- Assist with annual appeals and mailings
Qualifications
- Strong organizational and project management skills
- Experience managing events or complex logistics
- Excellent communication and problem-solving abilities
- Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
- Attention to detail and strong follow-through
- Comfort with databases and spreadsheets (Salesforce preferred)
- Professional, calm, and solutions-oriented approach
Experience in nonprofit, events, publishing, or arts organizations is strongly preferred.
To Apply
Please submit a cover letter and resume to Hanna Lee-Kleb, Deputy Director at [email protected] by April 3, 2026.
Qualified candidates will be contacted to schedule first-round interviews beginning the week of April 6, 2026.
Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $48,000–$52,000, commensurate with experience
Benefits include:
Paid Time Off
- 15 days of paid vacation in the first year of full-time employment (after the first three months of employment)
- Paid holidays observed throughout the year, plus office closure between Christmas and New Year’s Day
Sick Leave
- Paid sick leave accrued in accordance with Michigan law
- Employees may use up to 40 hours of paid sick time per year
Health & Wellness
- $400 monthly stipend to support health insurance and wellness needs
Parental Leave
- Paid parental leave offered to support employees during major family transitions
Creative Writing Instructor
Send Resume and Cover Letter to:
NWS Education Director
[email protected]
The National Writers Series of Traverse City is looking for dynamic, experienced, and outgoing teachers for various creative writing classes. Our Raising Writers program offers free creative writing classes to area youth and serves students from fourth through twelfth grade. Raising Writers provides writing classes across many disciplines, including fiction, creative nonfiction, journalism, poetry, playwriting, Moth-style storytelling, improv, and college essay workshops.
The ideal candidate for this position is a published writer and/or has an MFA or other graduate degree in a related field, as well as strong teaching experience. We are seeking teachers across multiple writing disciplines, who are highly organized and experienced managing a classroom, devising lesson plans, as well as recording and reporting on their hours. Teachers are also required to participate in aggregating and editing student work to be published in our literary journal.
Responsibilities include coordinating with the education director, building lesson plans that reflect the mission of Raising Writers, communicating with parents and students, and providing students with valuable craft techniques.
Raising Writers teachers have the flexibility to devise courses that fit their schedules. Teachers are paid $75/hour for contact hours, and $30/hour for prep hours. Please email [email protected] with a cover letter and resume.