Events Manager

Summary of Position:

A key member of the development team, the Manager of Events & Donor Relations will be responsible for developing and implementing a comprehensive event fundraising strategy that promotes the mission and organizational goals of After School Matters.  The Manager of Events & Donor Relations will be a strategic thinker with strong project management skills and a proven track record for implementing highly visible, complex fundraising events resulting in significant revenue.

This employee will have a keen ability to leverage available data, organizational resources, and partnerships to design, document, and implement a systematic and integrated donor relations program that fosters donor stewardship and cultivation.  Utilizing best practices, the Senior Manager of Events & Donor Relations will implement numerous fundraising, cultivation, and stewardship events as well as collaboratively manage all programmatic events.

Major Duties and Responsibilities:

• Oversee and implement an annual comprehensive event fundraising program that incorporates in-kind, volunteer, and sponsorship support to ensure financial goals of the organization are met on an annual basis.
• Monitor event trends and make recommendations for new revenue sources and to maximize existing event revenue.
• Be the expert in the Chicago event landscape including familiarity with venues, event best practices, etc.
• In collaboration with the Senior Director of Development, design and implement new fundraising, cultivation and stewardship events.
• Oversee targeted post-event follow-up strategies in partnership with Development Team.
• Manage relationships with event consultants and vendors including RFP process, contract and price negotiation, on-site management, payment, and quality evaluation.
• Oversee and steward the Gala Arrangements Committee.
• Develop and monitor event budgets to ensure revenue and expenses are kept within established boundaries.
• Provide detailed updates and financial summary reports for Board and executive leadership.
• Design and implement project plans incorporating key benchmarks and targets, including complex logistics, timelines, and detailed budgets.
• Oversee all logistical details of events including venue selection, food and beverage, BEOs, décor, entertainment, collateral materials, transportation, audio/visual, staffing, volunteer coordination, etc.
• Secure and coordinate all appropriate permits and licensing prior to events, as well as ensure legal, health and safety obligations are met.
• Manage Raiser’s Edge database processes and procedures for events to ensure accurate, efficient data entry of donor/participant information, proposals and actions.
• Collaborate with Marketing and Communications Department on comprehensive marketing and communications strategies for events, including collateral materials, website design, signage, photography, videography, and event communications.
• Develop and monitor timelines and promotional schedules for events, working with communications staff to ensure adequate and proper promotion.
• Visit website regularly to ensure event sections are up-to-date and current.  Provide content to marketing and communications team.
• Provide direct supervision of the Program and Outreach Liaison and Development team intern.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Solid background and demonstrated competence in special events for fundraising and donor solicitation and cultivation.
• Experience developing marketing materials and donor communications
• Ability to work and communicate with a wide range of external and internal constituents including C-Suite executives, development staff, program staff, finance staff, and ASM leadership.
• Outstanding written and presentation skills to persuasively convey the mission of After School Matters to diverse external constituencies.
• Ability to function independently in a fast-paced, high volume, multi-faceted, results-oriented work environment.
• Ability to analyze issues, identify priorities, manage projects, and make decisions expeditiously while maintaining a close attention to detail.
• Demonstrated strong analytical skills, including an ability to synthesize large amounts of detailed information and to focus quickly on the essence of an issue.  Strong commitment to producing measurable results.
• Team oriented with a full understanding of the dynamics of working with a diverse group to meet organizational goals
• Proficient in all Microsoft Office applications and Raisers Edge

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree required
• 3 to 5 years of experience managing special events in a nonprofit setting
• Cook County residency required

Schedule:

• Hybrid work environment, 9am - 5pm, some nights and weekends required pending projects and events
• Minimum two+ days in person, with three+ days during our Summer Session (six weeks)

Benefits for full-time regular employees include:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision
• Medical and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts 
• Paid Parental Leave (PPL)
• 403B Retirement Plan
• Identity Theft, Legal, and Pet Insurance
• Paid Time Off (PTO), Paid Sick Time, and paid national holidays  

Compensation: $65,000 - 72,000