Events & Communications Specialist

Friends of the Children•Chicago, IL

18h•Onsite

About The Position

Events & Communications Specialist serves as a key member of the Development Team and plays a central role in coordinating fundraising events, implementing communications strategies, and managing a variety of development projects and administrative functions. This position is responsible for coordinating special events and donor engagement opportunities, executing communications across digital platforms, maintaining development materials and ensuring the successful implementation of development initiatives. The Events & Communications Specialist works closely with the Executive Director, the Development Director, the Development Operations & Donor Relations Manager, the Grants, Institutional Giving & Impact Manager, and the Strategic Communications Consultant to support the organization's fundraising, stewardship, communications, and engagement goals. The ideal candidate is highly organized, detail-oriented, and collaborative, with strong project management skills and an ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.
Minimum 2-4 years of experience in event management, communications, nonprofit development, marketing, project management, or a related field.
Experience coordinating events, volunteer activities, or community engagement initiatives.
Experience managing social media platforms, email marketing systems, websites, or digital communications.
Strong project management and organizational skills.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Strong attention to detail and ability to manage multiple deadlines simultaneously.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, website management tools, email marketing platforms, and project management systems.

Nice To Haves

Event planning and logistics
Communications strategy and implementation
Digital marketing and social media
Volunteer coordination
Board support and administration
Strategic planning
Project management
Cross-functional collaboration

Responsibilities

Coordinate and execute fundraising, stewardship, volunteer, and community engagement events, including Friendsfest, board-hosted events, cultivation gatherings, volunteer activities, and other organizational events.
Develop and manage event timelines, project plans, and logistics to ensure successful event execution.
Coordinate event registration, guest management, volunteer recruitment, vendor relationships, venue logistics, catering, transportation, supplies, and event materials.
Manage event budgets, timelines, and operational plans in partnership with the Development Director.
Coordinate and oversee in-kind donations for events and campaigns, ensuring all product needs are secured and fulfilled, in collaboration with the Director of Development and Executive Director.
Coordinate pre- and post-event communications and materials in collaboration (leadership briefings, attendee communications, etc.) with the development team.
Support event sponsorship fulfillment and donor stewardship activities associated with fundraising events.
Coordinate event follow-up activities, reporting, and evaluation to assess effectiveness and identify opportunities for improvement.
Support site visits and engagement opportunities for donors, funders, board members, corporate partners, and community stakeholders as needed in collaboration with other team members.
Coordinate volunteer recruitment, communications, scheduling, and engagement for development-related activities and events.
Implement communications plans developed by organizational leadership and communications partners.
Maintain and update the organization’s website to ensure content remains current, accurate, and aligned with organizational priorities.
Draft and execute annual appeals (with assistance from Strategic Communications Consultant and Development Operations and Donor Relations Manager).
Coordinate and execute social media content, scheduling, and posting across organizational platforms.
Manage email communications, digital newsletters, event invitations, and related communications through designated platforms.
Write donor acknowledgement letter templates, including updating the general letter template once per trimester and for specific appeals as needed, and maintain templates in LGL and Teams.
Track and report communications performance metrics and engagement data.
Coordinate development and distribution of print and digital collateral materials.
Support implementation of annual communications calendars and campaign schedules.
Maintain brand consistency across communications channels and materials.
Maintain inventories of development materials, event supplies, and donor engagement resources.
Coordinate production and distribution of development materials, presentations, and collateral.
Manage development project timelines and support implementation of departmental priorities.
Maintain blue folders, case statements, impact reports, and other donor-facing materials.
Serve as primary liaison to printers, photographers, videographers and other communications vendors.
Support preparation of presentations, briefing materials, and event resources for development staff and leadership.
Assist with maintenance of development procedures, documentation, and organizational systems.
Provide logistical support for fundraising campaigns, donor engagement activities, and organizational initiatives.
Support program and operations teams on special projects with approval from organizational leadership.
Participate in cross-functional development initiatives and departmental planning.
Contribute to the development of operational procedures, process documentation, and best practices.