Specialist, Strategic Projects

New York Cares • New York, NY

3d

About The Position

The Specialist, Strategic Projects at New York Cares supports the planning, coordination, and execution of high-impact strategic initiatives, signature events, and cross-functional projects within the Signature Partnerships & Volunteer Experiences (SP&VE) department. The role provides flexible operational and project management support across large-scale volunteer activations, corporate engagement opportunities, and organizational priority initiatives, requiring elevated coordination, strategic thinking, stakeholder management, and strong execution.

The Specialist manages project logistics and timelines, supports high-volume volunteer events and corporate engagement experiences, and helps strengthen operational systems and volunteer experiences across the department. The position also contributes to staff capacity-building, partner and volunteer relationships, and volunteer engagement and retention efforts. Additional duties may be assigned as needed.

Requirements

• Demonstrated understanding of event logistics management, budgeting, and vendor management best practices.
• Ability to apply strategic judgment and reassess and pivot in unpredictable circumstances.
• Demonstrated ability to break overarching strategies into actionable tasks for clear and efficient execution.
• Demonstrated ability to facilitate engaging discussions that encourage participation, collaboration, and innovation.
• Ability to build genuine connections with a broad range of stakeholders and understand their perspectives and needs.
• Demonstrated ability to cultivate relationships with community and corporate partners, understand event preferences, collect feedback, and customize event offerings.
• Ability to build stakeholder trust, manage conflict, and use empathy and diplomacy in interactions.
• Ability to work collaboratively with the Director, Signature Partnerships & Events, in support of team strategic goals.
• Excellent oral, written, and presentation communication skills.
• Ability to interact effectively with communities of diverse cultures and maintain awareness of racial and social justice issues.

Responsibilities

• Lead and support strategic initiatives and special projects across SP&VE.
• Manage timelines, deliverables, logistics, and internal coordination for high-priority activations.
• Support department-wide planning and execution for signature campaigns and events, including 9/11 Day, Cares Day, Stand with Students, and Coat Drive.
• Coordinate cross-functional communication among Programs, Development, MarComms, Operations, and external partners.
• Support the Associate Director and Senior Officers, Signature Partnerships & Volunteer Experiences, in strengthening the purpose, stakeholder experience, and scalability of signature events.
• Manage special-project or large-scale events with 200 or more attendees, ensuring alignment with their original design and objectives.
• Support execution of high-volume volunteer events and corporate engagement experiences.
• Assist with run-of-show development, staffing plans, supply management, and day-of event operations.
• Identify operational improvements and scalable systems for large-scale activations.
• Provide elevated support for high-touch partners and stakeholders.
• Assist in training, onboarding, and upskilling coordinators and cross-functional staff in event execution best practices.
• Share project management tools, operational processes, and event standards across teams.
• Support implementation of consistent volunteer and partner experience standards.
• Maintain positive working relationships with community partners, corporate partners, vendors, and volunteers.
• Support development and execution of volunteer engagement and retention strategies aligned with organizational goals.
• Analyze volunteer participation trends and identify opportunities to deepen connection, consistency, and long-term engagement.
• Help strengthen volunteer pathways from first-time engagement through leadership and recurring service opportunities.
• Support Team Leader engagement, volunteer recognition initiatives, and community-building opportunities.
• Collaborate with internal teams to improve volunteer communications, onboarding experiences, and retention-focused touchpoints.
• Reinforce volunteer experience standards and operational excellence across projects and programs.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Education Level: No Education Listed