Events & Engagement Specialist

Vertex Education•Chandler, AZ

About The Position

The Events & Engagement Specialist supports planning and execution of network-wide events, community outreach, marketing communications, and organizational visibility initiatives across Vertex Education and Legacy Traditional Schools. Working closely with the Sr. Manager of Events & Engagement, this role turns strategy and priorities into organized execution across the organization. The position collaborates with campus leaders, state-based teams, Vertex departments, vendors, and community partners. The role includes supporting events and community engagement, coordinating event communications and marketing assets, assisting with partnerships and sponsorships, supporting employee recognition initiatives, and organizing project work. The specialist also tracks event and partnership information and gathers data to inform reporting and future planning. The position requires travel between campuses, offices, community locations, and event venues as needed, with occasional travel to other Legacy markets. Physical work may include lifting and carrying up to 50 pounds, event setup and breakdown, standing or walking for extended periods, and working outdoors in varying weather. Occasional evening and weekend work may be required based on event schedules.

Requirements

Two to four years of experience in event planning and coordination, marketing communications, community engagement, partnerships, sponsorships, project coordination, or a related field.
Demonstrated experience planning and coordinating events from initial planning through execution and post-event follow-up, including timelines, logistics, vendors, materials, communications, setup, and on-site support.
Exceptional organizational skills and ability to manage concurrent timelines, deadlines, details, and stakeholders while maintaining consistent follow-through.
Ability to anticipate needs, identify missing information, and proactively follow up on outstanding items.
Strong written and verbal communication, relationship-building, and customer-service skills.
Resourceful, solutions-oriented, and able to solve problems and adapt when plans or circumstances change.
Ability to work independently while following established strategies, standards, and priorities.
Proficiency with project-management software and Microsoft Office and/or Google Workspace.
Valid driver’s license.
Ability to obtain and maintain an IVP Level One Fingerprint Clearance Card.
Ability to successfully complete required criminal background screening.
Reliable transportation and ability to travel between campuses, Vertex offices, community locations, and event venues as needed.
Ability to lift and carry objects up to 50 pounds and assist with event setup and breakdown.
Ability to work outdoors for extended periods in varying weather conditions, including heat and cold.
Ability to stand or walk for extended periods.
Willingness to work occasional evenings and weekends based on event schedules.
Ability to travel occasionally to other Legacy markets as needed.

Nice To Haves

Associate or bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Communications, Business, Hospitality, Event Management, or a related field.
Experience in K-12 education, charter schools, nonprofit organizations, or multi-location organizations.
Experience with Asana, HubSpot, Eventbrite, or similar project-management, CRM, and event-registration systems.
Bilingual English/Spanish.

Responsibilities

Support planning and execution of network-wide Legacy and Vertex events, campus activities, student travel programs, and community outreach across multi-state markets.
Provide hands-on event support, troubleshoot execution issues, and escalate significant concerns.
Manage Eventbrite listings and event logistics, including scheduling, materials, vendor management, and on-site execution.
Coordinate family, community, and alumni engagement initiatives and build relationships with businesses, nonprofits, and civic organizations.
Submit purchase requisitions; order event materials and supplies; coordinate delivery and distribution; manage event inventory; and monitor vendor costs and expenses against approved budgets.
Collect event attendance, feedback, expenses, and other post-event data for metrics reporting and future planning.
Draft and distribute routine event, community engagement, partnership, and organizational communications, including invitations, stakeholder communications, and event messaging.
Gather and organize photos, content, and other assets from campuses and Vertex events to support marketing communications.
Identify potential student and staff stories and gather background information, photos, and materials to support organizational reputation and public relations visibility.
Research award and recognition opportunities and assist with submissions.
Identify corporate partners and community sponsorship opportunities with campus leaders, state-based teams, and internal stakeholders.
Assist with outreach and relationship-building with prospective and existing partners and sponsors, including communications, deliverables, activations, promotional materials, event participation, and follow-up.
Track partner and sponsor contacts, opportunities, deliverables, and outcomes for follow-up and evaluation.
Assist with employee events, appreciation activities, milestone celebrations, and other culture-building initiatives.
Manage vendors, awards, gifts, and supplies associated with employee engagement and recognition activities.
Use Asana and other project-management tools to organize marketing communications tasks and follow up with stakeholders to support timely execution.
Monitor project deadlines, resources, and documentation to support continuity, initiative visibility, and reporting.