Special Events Manager
About The Position
The Special Events Manager plans and executes fundraising events—including division board, signature, and peer-to-peer events—to support Junior Achievement of Chicago’s annual financial goals. The role helps increase the organization’s visibility, build relationships, and drive financial support, while ensuring events deliver a high-quality experience that advances the organization’s mission. The position is based on a hybrid schedule that includes time in the Downtown Chicago office and travel within the organization’s 12-county franchise. The role is full-time and exempt, reports to the Director of Special Events, and offers a salary of $48,000 with a target incentive opportunity of 5% of salary, contingent on meeting team performance and individual goals.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities with strong attention to detail.
- Good organizational skills and attention to detail.
- Self-starter with the ability to host virtual, online, and in-person events.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills.
- Experience and comfort with public speaking.
- Strong interpersonal skills.
- Experience with Canva.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office, especially Excel, PowerPoint, and Word.
- Digital literacy, including effective use of computers, cloud-based file storage, digital communication, and collaboration tools.
- Ability to learn and adapt to new software and technology, troubleshoot basic technology needs, and follow appropriate data-security practices.
- Valid driver’s license and vehicle transportation to meet job responsibilities, including travel within the 12-county franchise.
- Ability to meet the role’s physical demands, including frequent sitting and walking; occasional reaching, bending, lifting, or climbing; continual talking or hearing; and occasionally lifting and carrying 25–50 pounds. Specific vision abilities include close and distance vision and the ability to adjust or focus.
Nice To Haves
- Experience with fundraising accomplishments and/or resource development.
Responsibilities
- Plan and implement area-wide events, including signature fundraisers, to exceed budgeted financial goals.
- Manage and maintain company accounts and assist in developing event awareness and promotional materials.
- Recruit participants for peer-to-peer fundraising events, train company coordinators, team captains, and other participants, and develop ideas to raise additional campaign funds.
- Take designated roles in the Golf Outing, Chicago Business Hall of Fame, Wine Tasting, and Division Board Events.
- Work with the team to support effective data tracking, customer service, accurate financial reports, program books, and timely donor receipts and acknowledgments.
- Manage and coordinate vendor relationships to ensure event logistics and details are handled smoothly and efficiently.
- Coordinate with the area board’s Golf Committee, including soliciting items and donations for silent auctions.
- Assist with logistics for area board and annual meetings, including scripts, agendas, minutes, and overall planning.
- Respond to donor and external customer requests related to special events in a timely manner.
- Support the development team with duties such as gift entry, mailings, pulling reports, and document editing.
Stand Out From the Crowd
Upload your resume and get instant feedback on how well it matches this job.
What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Manager
