Do you love planning events that wow attendees? Are you able to explain the “why” behind an event and evaluate your events for effectiveness? Do you take pride in your ability to manage all of the details and combine them into one process? Do you enjoy sharing a mission and vision with new people, garnering their support, and creating unique events to reach new audiences and donors? If so, you may be a great fit for a role in the YWCA’s Development Department.

About the Position

The YWCA West Central Michigan is seeking a Development Coordinator, Events to join our Development team. The hiring range is $42,000 - $48,000 annually, dependent on experience. This role will be responsible for planning and executing our signature events and will be the contact for all 3rdparty events and in-kind solicitations. They will also handle all appreciation events and our awareness month campaigns. Plays a key role in volunteer recruitment and retention. This position will design events to cultivate, recognize, educate, and steward current and prospective donors to YWCA West Central Michigan. This position requires an elevated level of attention to detail and a commitment to setting up and supporting processes while being flexible and positively communicating with internal and external stakeholders.

The YWCA offers competitive benefits including medical, dental, and life insurance with employee-only level premiums paid entirely by the YWCA, generous paid time off, and vision insurance at a low cost.

About YWCA West Central Michigan

Our mission is Eliminating Racism; Empowering Women and Girls; Promoting Peace, Justice, Freedom, and Dignity for All. Where racism and sexism give rise to domestic and sexual violence, we help empower survivors with expert, comprehensive services: 24-hour confidential helpline, safety planning, legal help, domestic violence emergency shelter and supportive housing, medical-forensic examinations, counseling and support groups for victims; supervised parenting time and safe custody exchange. We seek to reflect the diverse community it serves and be a welcoming, inclusive space for all. Applicants from diverse experiences, backgrounds, and identities are encouraged to apply.

About you

You enjoy planning events from conception to post-event evaluation and debriefing. You can handle the stress of hosting over 500 people, answering questions on the spot and dealing with unexpected issues in a seamless and professional manner. You like negotiating with vendors to get the best deals while making sure that your event has that special something. You know how to source all things related to events- from venues to swag bags. You are comfortable knowing that you will have a fundraising goal tied to your role and can commit to meeting it.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Coordinate and Execute Events

• Plan, coordinate, execute, and review special events, 3rd party events, appreciation events, and awareness month events for YWCA West Central Michigan.
• Coordinate, along with the Donor Communications Coordinator, event logistics, publicity, including public relations, advertising and collateral material design, production and distribution.
• Research, propose, and secure possible venues for functions based on budget, geography, accessibility, aesthetic appeal, and availability.
• Contract for services from vendors including caterers, florists, parking services, photography, etc.
• Prepare formal briefing materials with final details for the leadership team.
• Develop staffing plans to ensure quality standards are met.
• Creation and distribution of event invitations and the tracking of responses.
• Manage all aspects of volunteer committees and coordination, including staffing, recruitment, supervision, training, and acknowledgment.

Evaluate Events

• Determine benchmarks for success prior to each assigned event, evaluate their effectiveness after the event, and incorporate improvements in future planning.
• For recurring events, recommend revisions to the event plan for future versions as appropriate.
• Maintain master event files and documentation to aid in planning and executing future events.

Manage Event Finances

• In coordination with supervisor, develop and manage budgets for assigned events.
• Verify invoices and arrange for payment of approved event expenses.
• Ensure event stays on budget, monitoring financial commitments during lead-up to event and making alternate arrangements if cost overrun appears likely.
• In partnership with supervisor, review events budget each month.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, EXPERIENCE & ABILITIES

• A high school diploma is required; bachelor’s degree preferred.
• Experience in planning events of all varieties, particularly for a development organization.
• Significant professional event management experience may be substituted for a formal degree.
• One year of events management experience is required, preferably in a nonprofit setting.
• Ability to interact with all levels of the organization and externally including executive-level administrators, government officials, donors/prospects, event contacts, and staff with an understanding of protocol and confidentiality is required.
• The ability to occasionally travel and work nights and weekends is required.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Typical office conditions exist.
• Conditions include regular exposure to frequent repetitive motion of joints.
• Irregular work hours may exist, including early morning, evening, weekends, and holidays.

NEXT STEP

If you are interested in joining our team, we would love to hear from you! Please note that only applicants who send both a resume and a cover letter detailing how your skills and experience relate to this role will be considered.

To apply, please send your resume and cover letter by 5:00 pm, Tuesday September 5th to:

Amanda Robertson, Development Manager

arobertson@ywcawcmi.org

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $42,000.00 - $48,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible schedule
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday

Experience:

• Fundraising: 1 year (Preferred)
• Microsoft Office: 1 year (Preferred)
• Event planning: 1 year (Required)

Ability to Commute:

• Grand Rapids, MI 49503 (Required)

Work Location: In person