Strategic Events Lead

American Forests• US,

2d•$90,000 - $95,000

About The Position

The Strategic Events Lead guides the execution of American Forests’ high-profile events, including fundraising events, panels, community engagement opportunities and marquee moments such as New York Climate Week. Working within Communications and closely with the Programs, Corporate Partnerships and Philanthropy teams, this role serves as the organization’s event keeper and internal expert. It helps ensure owned and partner-led events are brand-aligned, organized, consistent and effective, and makes recommendations that advance the organization’s market engagement goals. The role leads coordination for a defined set of priority events and serves as a trusted resource across the organization. It owns and maintains event planning materials and the overarching conference and event calendar, and represents American Forests to outside partners and funders. The position also supports Communications team administration related to events and partner engagement, and identifies, contracts and manages vendors and contractors. Travel throughout the U.S. is required to support key events.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
Experience producing high-touch, brand-aligned or donor-centric events, including logistics, timelines and stakeholder communication.
Strong project management skills and ability to manage multiple priorities, deadlines and details from planning through event debrief.
Ability to represent the organization to outside partners and funders with polish and professionalism.
Sound judgment in making recommendations that support broader organizational event goals.
Strong initiative and problem-solving skills, including anticipating needs and keeping work moving without close oversight.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including drafting executive- and partner-appropriate communications and briefing materials.
Proven ability to collaborate effectively with leadership, fundraisers and cross-functional teams, including programs, philanthropy, partnerships and finance.
Experience working within budgets, processing invoices, and coordinating with vendors or contractors.
Ability to travel as required to support events.

Nice To Haves

Prior experience preparing staff and leadership for high-visibility interactions, including run-of-show documents, talking points and briefing materials.
High attention to detail and commitment to quality and professionalism.
Experience coordinating volunteers or contractors.
Knowledge of current trends in events, engagement or fundraising.
Ability to work under pressure and maintain professionalism across competing priorities.
Interest in conservation, climate or mission-driven work.

Responsibilities

Lead execution of polished, brand-aligned events, including partner salons, fundraising events, panels, community engagement opportunities and marquee events such as New York Climate Week.
Project-manage a defined set of priority events, including logistics, timelines and stakeholder communication.
Represent American Forests to outside partners and funders with polish and professionalism.
Make recommendations that advance the organization’s event-related goals.
Help ensure events across the organization are brand-aligned, organized, consistent and effective, including events run by other teams.
Provide event-planning guidance and best practices to staff.
Own and maintain the event planning toolkit, including updates, edits and responding to staff questions.
Lead event kickoffs and debriefs, capturing notes and clear follow-ups.
Own and maintain the overarching conference and event calendar in collaboration with teams across the organization.
Create and coordinate internal and external event materials, including internal briefings, talking points and run-of-show materials, collaborating with Communications colleagues as needed.
Collaborate with Corporate Partnerships and Philanthropy on a networking strategy for the executive team and Board.
Support Communications team administrative functions related to event and partner engagement work.
Identify, contract and manage event vendors and contractors, including photographers; process invoices and work within budgets.
Travel throughout the U.S. as required to support key events.