Manager of Special Events - Chicago, United States - Envision Unlimited

Description

Job Description

Envision Unlimited is a full spectrum of care organization serving people with disabilities from infants to 80+ years old regardless of race, gender, religion, or ability to pay. Founded in Chicago in 1948, Envision Unlimited has a legacy of evolving care delivered with empathy, every time and everywhere. Innovative services offered across Chicagoland and Central Illinois include community living options, novel day programs, behavioral health services, employment programs, respite for families, and foster care for children with disabilities.

Summary

The Manager of Special Events plays a vital role in planning, executing, and reporting on fundraising and brand awareness events to meet Envision Unlimited' s objectives. This onsite, Chicago-based position requires donor development skills, including expertise in planning and executing special events that enhance donor giving, volunteerism, and overall engagement. The position demands excellent oral and written communication, time and project management skills, and a dedication to advancing the agency's mission of ensuring choice, independence, and inclusion for people with intellectual, developmental, and psychiatric disabilities. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Essential Responsibilities, include but are not limited to:

1. Lead the planning, execution, and reporting of fundraising and brand awareness events throughout the year, including the Bright Futures Ball, Summer of Cycling, Envision Classic annual golf tournament, client spotlight events, program/facility openings, and other donor and organization events.

a. Create project plans and coordinate execution of action steps.

b. Prepare and monitor budgets to analyze the cost-efficiency of fundraising events.

c. Research and implement new and/or enhanced event opportunities.

d. Coordinate identification, cultivation, and solicitation of in-kind sponsorships/donations for auctions and giveaways

e. Work with the marketing communications team to create event-related collateral material.

f. Serve as the primary staff liaison for volunteer event leadership committees.

g. Research, select, negotiate, and manage event contractors, vendors, and volunteers.

h. Lead solicitation and management of event donations and giveaways

i. Collaborate with the Manager of Corporate Partnerships to plan and fulfill relationship obligations.

j. Track attendees/donors' gift acknowledgments and moves management follow-ups.

k. Create and deliver event and financial reports.

2. Manage Associate Board events and meetings to generate revenue, make organizational connections, and serve as a prospect pool for new Envision stakeholders to ensure the long-term sustainability of top volunteer leadership.

3. Work with the Senior Vice President of Development and Donor Engagement Executive to create year-round solicitation and engagement strategies to retain current and attract new donors, increase revenue and overall engagement and awareness, including:

a. Organize and execute all phases of the End of Year Giving Campaign – Giving Tuesday and the Annual Appeal with guidance on strategy from the External Affairs team.

b. Collaborate with the Manager of Corporate Partnerships to discover donor companies' corporate social responsibility and/or workplace giving objectives and work with staff to create engagement initiatives and opportunities.

c. Coordinate and participate in various city, state, and community-based agency events to enhance the visibility of Envision and increase awareness of the agency programs.

d. Support the execution of the plan (set by the Donor Engagement Executive) for the EnVisionaries Giving Society to support the growth and development of individual major donor support.

e. Collaborate with the Senior Vice President on managing and expanding the recurring gifts Monthly Patrons Program

4. Assist the Development Coordinator with reporting, database management (EveryAction) that ensures data quality, and adoption of best practices for gift entry, donor track, and gift acknowledgement.

5. Other duties as assigned.

OTHER EXPECTATIONS

Employees shall respect the diversity of all individuals (e.g., clients, co-workers, stakeholders) and refrain from any form of discrimination and/or based upon a person's legally protected characteristics or conduct, including but not limited to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, and gender identity or expression. Employees share the responsibility of creating and maintaining a welcoming, supportive, and inclusive work environment. The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and/or skills required of all employees so classified.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands 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, physical requirements may include standing, walking, and sitting; seeing; hearing and listening; clear speech; dexterity and use of hands and fingers.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment described here is representative of that an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. The noise level in the work environment is usually low to moderate. The work environment may include any or all of the following: working alone; working with others, verbal contact with others, and face-to-face contact.

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

EDUCATION, SKILLS, and/or EXPERIENCE

• A bachelor's degree from a four-year college or university.
• A personal and compassionate relationship builder able to exemplify and model the agency's vision, mission, and core programs.
• A networker able to work within the agency to help create a sense of the "Envision Family" and nurture staff relationships that help build up fundraising and public relations opportunities.
• Track record of planning, project managing, and executing special events.
• Experience coordinating individuals and teams of volunteers.
• Comfort and familiarity working with Boards of Directors and other senior executives.
• Excellent interpersonal, communications, and time and task management skills.
• Experience developing and managing budgets.
• Exceptional presentation and communication skills and ability to effectively engage with corporate leaders, professionals, donors, volunteers, and the general public.
• Knowledge of constituent relationship management (CRM) software, strategies, and ideals.
• Proficiency in Microsoft computer applications including Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Self-motivated and driven individual who can work independently.
• Ability to multitask and manage multiple demands and projects.

Envision Unlimited offers competitive salaries and a generous benefit package to our professionals:

Blue Cross/Blue Shield Medical Coverage: HMO, PPO

Dental and Vision Insurance Options

Company paid Life and LTD Insurance

Voluntary plans (Pet insurance, AD&D, Life, Critical Illness, Short Term Disability)

11 Paid Holidays

Paid vacation, sick time and personal days

403B plan

In house training and CEU's

Employee Assistance Network

Support for pursuing clinical licensure (financial and time off)

Opportunity for career growth & development

ENVISION UNLIMITED provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.