Event Manager

Event Manager

Reporting to the Director of Events & Development, this position successfully cultivates relationships and implements multiple events, including our signature Get Your Rear in Gear® (GYRIG) run/walk series and other events in an assigned geographic area. A typical assignment is 7-8 events per Event Manager. As part of the events team, this position is integral to the success of the Colon Cancer Coalition’s mission of granting funds to local communities to increase education, awareness, screening and patient support for colorectal cancer across North America. Simply put: these events matter and make a difference to save lives.

This position combines project management, people skills, communications, event planning and logistical know-how to produce events and provide support to local event volunteers/directors and committees. This position is also responsible for keeping appropriate records regarding income, expenses and briefs on local relationships. The Event Manager will be skilled at maintaining positive relationships with the local communities and volunteers across the nation - ensuring that the experience with the Coalition is warm, welcoming, and inspiring - creating long-lasting trust and affiliation with our organization.

Overall: we’re looking for someone who is all about building and maintaining relationships, has empathy, is driven, and has a solid business sense. Someone who lives and breathes helping others and would savor a unique job making a true difference. This is not your typical events job and more than spreadsheets and task lists - working at the Coalition means being part of true change in communities across North America. If you have experience with planning events and event logistics, that’s a bonus!

Core Responsibilities include:

• Provide white-glove level customer service and support to assigned local event directors and committees; establishing a cadence for communications and planning meetings, all while prioritizing a solid and positive working relationship
• Act as a credible and professional representative of the organization in all touchpoints during planning, including but not limited to: email/phone interactions, at industry gatherings and onsite at events
• Be an active and positive participant of the events department, following established department process and procedures to ensure efficiency, adhere to digital processes and use of software systems, while contributing to a positive and supportive staff culture
• Complete the event planning process of assigned events including but not limited to: review of historical event metrics/performance, setting new goals and targets, location/date selection, securing event timing company, confirming event rentals, completing local permit/course applications, soliciting local event sponsors and in-kind donations, shipping of materials, pre-event and post mortem evaluation. 
• In conjunction with the department and volunteers, ensure revenue is achieved through solicitation of local event sponsors and in-kind donations, as well as controlling event expenses
• Collaborate with the Director of Events & Development, President and CFO to consult on budgets and event-specific targets for inclusion in yearly event revenue targets
• Liaison with the insurance company on individual events to ensure local compliance
• Manage shipment of organizational goods/apparel to assigned races; this includes proper tracking of shipped and returned items and using critical thinking skills to ensure events are both high quality and fiscally responsible 
• Send participant and recruitment emails out of email marketing system
• Active partnership with Marketing & Communications staff to order local and request marketing materials for assigned events, as well as partner proactively on events that require extra marketing efforts
• Ensure assigned events comply with national brand standards
• Continuous brainstorming on fundraising strategies to increase gross revenue of each event
• For assigned events: set up online registration/race websites to ensure accurate logistical information and fulfillment of local and national sponsorship deliverables. This includes regular maintenance and review of these pages.
• Act as a lead to the participants and event donors of your assigned races; this also includes troubleshooting registration and donation related questions or requests while maintaining the highest level of professionalism and customer service

Required:

• A sense of humor and empathy, with an ability to relate to many different backgrounds and personalities
• Strong interpersonal communication skills and ability to form lasting and positive relationships with internal staff, external partners, and local communities. An overall team player.
• Leadership skills
• Conflict resolution skills and ability to think logically/on your feet
• A proven ability to balance multiple events and conflicting priorities at once
• Experience and/or wIllingness to solicit financial sponsorships 
• Proficient use of Google Suite (ex: Gmail, Google Docs)
• Ability to come to our Plymouth, MN offices in-person 1day/week as requested for meetings
• Ability and willingness to travel - heavy travel in spring (March/April, anticipate 3-4 weekends) and fall (Sept/Oct, approx 1-2 weekends)
• Willingness to learn about colorectal cancer including basics on prevention, signs and symptoms and more to be an informed representative of the organization
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds and engage in onsite set-up/tear-down for events

Preferred:

• 2-6 years event management experience of events of at least 200 people
• Experience in leadership/team lead situations providing direction to others
• Event planning and logistical execution experience, with strong attention to detail
• Experience working in a flexible/hybrid and heavily remote team setting
• Experience with project/task management softwares (ex: Asana)
• Experience in strategy and execution of event marketing campaigns (email, social media)
• Experience in a non-profit organization and/or producing run/walk/fundraising events
• Familiarity with peer-to-peer registration software with a preference for NeonOne, haku and Salesforce CRM

Working for the Colon Cancer Coalition requires acquired knowledge of colorectal cancer and empathy for cancer patients as well as respect for a diverse audience. We are an equal opportunity employer.

This is a full-time position offering a full comprehensive benefit package including, vision, dental, life, and matching 401(k). This position also offers a flexible schedule within the work week. We have a small staff and offer both remote and in office options.