Events Manager

Position Overview

The Chattanooga Area Food Bank (CAFB) is seeking a highly organized, resourceful, and detail-oriented Event Manager to join our growing Development team. Serving twenty counties with two locations in Chattanooga and one in Dalton, the Chattanooga Area Food Bank’s mission is to lead a network of partners and unite the community to eliminate hunger by feeding, nourishing, and empowering those we serve.

The Event Manager manages the full lifecycle of all Food Bank events – from concept and budget through execution and evaluation – and leads the growth of the Food Bank’s cause marketing partnerships. This role ensures every event and partnership delivers an excellent, mission-centered experience while meeting fundraising goals and making the most of limited budgets.

Job Responsibilities Include:

Event Planning & Execution

• In collaboration with the Director of Community Engagement, plan and execute all Food Bank events, including signature fundraisers, annual walk-run event,donor and volunteer appreciation events, open houses, tours, corporate competitions, and community-facing activities, in both Chattanooga and Northwest Georgia.
• Manage the full event lifecycle: concept, goals, budget, timeline, venue, vendors, run-of-show, staffing, setup, breakdown, and post-event evaluation.
• Develop and maintain event calendars, timelines, checklists, and planning templates that support consistent, repeatable execution.
• Coordinate guest experience details, including invitations, registration, ticketing, seating, signage, A/V, catering, speaker logistics, and day-of operations.
• Serve as on-site lead for events, troubleshooting issues in real time and ensuring a polished experience for guests, sponsors, and speakers.
• Conduct post-event follow-up, surveys, and debriefs; track results against goals and recommend improvements.

Budget, Vendors & In-Kind Support

• Build and manage event budgets in Excel; track expenses, revenue, and in-kind value against each event’s fundraising goal.
• Source, negotiate with, and manage vendors, venues, caterers, rental companies, and entertainment.
• Proactively secure in-kind donations, nonprofit discounts, and donated services to reduce costs and maximize net revenue.
• Maintain a vendor and in-kind donor directory, and ensure contracts, certificates of insurance, and payments are processed on time.

Sponsorship & Donor Support

• Support sponsorship fulfillment by tracking benefits, recognition, and deliverables for event sponsors.
• Coordinate sponsor and donor touchpoints at events in partnership with Development staff.
• Ensure event attendees, sponsors, and partners are accurately captured in the donor database for stewardship and follow-up.

Volunteers, Collaboration & Communication

• Partner with the Volunteer Manager to recruit, schedule, and brief event volunteers.
• Collaborate with Communications on event marketing, invitations, social media, and print materials that reflect the Food Bank’s brand.
• Partner with the NWGA Community Engagement Manager on events and outreach in Northwest Georgia.
• Coordinate with Operations and facilities staff on warehouse events, tours, and logistics.
• Communicate clearly and promptly with internal teams, vendors, sponsors, and guests via email and phone.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Two to four years of event planning experience managing the full event lifecycle; nonprofit or fundraising event experience preferred.
• Proven ability to secure in-kind donations, sponsorships, or vendor discounts.
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Excel and Outlook/email; comfortable building budgets, trackers, and timelines.
• Exceptional attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple events and deadlines simultaneously.
• Confident negotiator and relationship-builder with vendors, businesses, and community partners.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience with Raiser’s Edge NXT, Givebutter, VolunteerHub, or similar CRM, ticketing, and volunteer platforms is a plus.
• Experience with corporate partnerships is a plus.
• Commitment to the mission of the Chattanooga Area Food Bank and a passion for community-centered work.

Physical Requirements

Ability to meet all physical requirements of the job (occasionally lifting and carrying objects weighing up to 50 lbs). Frequent sitting, standing, walking, keyboarding, stooping, bending, and phone use. Ability to stand for extended periods and assist with event setup and breakdown.

Other Duties

Other responsibilities as assigned. Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

The Event Manager will work collaboratively with staff members, volunteers, donors, vendors, and key stakeholders to fully execute the mission of the Food Bank. This position requires regular work outside of standard business hours, including evenings and weekends, and some local and regional travel, including to our Dalton, GA location. This is an in-person position located at our main warehouse (2009 Curtain Pole Road, Chattanooga).

Pay: $48,000.00 - $50,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Vision insurance

Education:

• Bachelor's (Required)

Experience:

• Event Planning: 4 years (Required)

Willingness to travel:

• 25% (Required)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $48,000 - $50,000