Senior Manager, Events & Comm. Engagement

The Manager of Events and Community Engagement will serve as a collaborator in producing high profile fundraising events for PAWS Chicago and friend-raising within the community to sustain and grow our lifesaving work to end the killing of homeless animals. The only limit to PAWS Chicago’s expansion of important programs is funding—this position will enable the continuation and expansion of PAWS Chicago’s No Kill model, which has led the reduction of killing in the city of Chicago by 89 percent since our founding.

The Manager of Events and Community Engagement will support our donor-centric community engagement program with a focus on delivering best in class social events for PAWS Chicago.  The role of the Manager of Events and Community Engagement is to ensure the success and streamlined execution of our Animal Magnetism young professional gala, Beach Party summer social event, and Fur Ball galas. The Manager of Events will also lead the PAWS Chicago Professional Board. 

Cover letters and resumes will be reviewed immediately on a rolling basis and only candidates who currently live in the Chicagoland area will be considered. Please note that this position is fully in office. If you have a passion for animal welfare and fundraising, we want to hear from you!

Duties and Responsibilities

DRIVE REVENUE

• Collaborate with the Director of Events and Community Engagement to develop and implement solicitation timelines for all events and meet/exceed budgeted revenue goals for each event and program.

• Actively participate in solicitations of sponsors and donors (as directed by Director of Events and Community Engagement).

• Lead the solicitation and strategic communications process for Animal Magnetism, Beach Party and Fur Ball (with input from the VP of Development, Director of Events and the Assistant Director of Corporate Events):

• • Identify prospects and build proposals 

  • Solicit prospects 

  • Secure renewals and new sponsorships

  • Manage and advance donor relationships

• Develop sponsorship packages and proposals for Animal Magnetism, Beach Party and Fur Ball Events.

• Ensure details of sponsorship contracts and expectations are met and exceeded, giving the best event experience possible for our sponsorship partners. 

• Collaborate with the Marketing and Communications Team to create a strategy to support ticket and auction sales for all signature events.

• • Ensure websites are launched in a timely manner.

  • Ensure save the dates and invitations are sent in a timely manner.

  • Ensure social media and other promotional campaigns are developed and executed to support event revenue (Ticket sales, sponsorships, auction promotions, raffle and more)

• Develop and manage relationships with donors, sponsors, in-kind donors and vendors.

• Report accurate financial updates on a recurring basis to the leadership team at PAWS.

• Investigate industry trends, committee ideas, vendors and possible new partners. Present recommendations to senior leadership. 

• Responsible for coordinating deliverables for sponsorships.

EVENT EXECUTION

• Responsible for the event project plans and timelines, coordination with all internal and external stakeholders and successful execution of the events.

• Manage all relationships and contracts for events including site selection, catering, decorations, entertainment, event volunteers and auction.

• Ensure vendors, donors, sponsors and all stakeholders receive timely communications from the Events Team regarding event details and plans.

• Oversee day-to-day communication and customer service with event participants.

• Manage details for events such as:

• • Recruiting and training volunteers, managing website development, executing a communications plan, corresponding with donors and committee members, recruiting in-kind donations, following up on matching gifts, coordinating meetings and working with committees as needed, supporting mailings and follow-up phone calls as needed, reconciling event revenue and expenses, managing Classy event platform.

• Collaborate with the Marketing and Communications Team to create a project plan for all design related items and collateral, as well as a communications plan and timeline for all signature events.

• Manage event-related communications including responding to telephone and email inquiries, mailings, newsletters, social media, and off-site event coordination with a strong customer service focus.

• • Manage the process for acknowledging event donors (cash, auction and in-kind), ensuring timely, meaningful and accurate acknowledgements of donations are sent.

  • Continually work to create cost efficiencies on all event and program budgets.

  • Oversee all post-event activities such as: supply gathering and storage; thank you’s to staff, volunteers, donors, committee members and sponsors; create and send invoices for outstanding event payments; auction package distribution, etc.

  • Support other events within the PAWS Events Team by leading various aspects of event day areas and volunteers (Golf, PAWS 5K, TEAM PAWS Chicago).

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VOLUNTEER RELATIONS

• Serve as staff lead for the PAWS Chicago Professional Board including setting meeting dates & agendas, prepping volunteer leaders with talking points, tracking participation status, responding to member inquiries and processing membership applications.

• Manage event Chairs and Committees, providing for an engaging and enjoyable experience that allows supporters to give their time and talents to our events. Maximize each individual’s skill set to enhance fundraising and friend-raising efforts on behalf of PAWS Chicago.

• • Communicate relevant PAWS Chicago news with the membership base to leverage this network as ambassadors for PAWS Chicago

• Work with and support event committees; setting meeting dates & agendas, prepping volunteer leaders with talking points, tracking participation status, monitoring and supporting membership status and recruitment.

• Co-Lead Donor Holiday Open House (early December) with Individual Giving Team liaison as the logistics lead such as site coordination, catering, decorations, event volunteers, etc.

• Collaborate with the Individual Giving Team on engaging event donors in other ways throughout PAWS Chicago.

TEAM MANAGEMENT

• Proactively recruit and guide activities of interns, volunteers and staff, providing direction on expectations, responsibilities and logistics to ensure seamless execution of events and meetings.

• Provide timely updates and information about events to PAWS Chicago Leadership and staff teams.

• Participate in other PAWS Chicago events as needed.