Specialist, External and Community Relations

Position Summary

The External & Community Relations Specialist plays a pivotal role in advancing the mission of the Lustgarten Foundation by executing peer-to-peer fundraising programs, branded walk events, third-party partnerships, and community outreach campaigns. This position bridges strategic planning with on-the-ground implementation, serving as a key driver of marketing, volunteer engagement, sponsor development, and participant stewardship. The ideal candidate must have advanced digital proficiency, and thrives in mission-driven environments where impact, execution, and relationships are equally valued.

Key Responsibilities

1. Event Strategy & Execution Support

• Support the Director of External and Community Relations in all aspects of branded walk events, DIY fundraisers, and third-party partnerships.
• Maintain and update centralized Google Sheet templates with logistics timelines, vendor contracts, permits, and inventory needs.
• Liaise with vendors for signage, merchandise, t-shirts, and collateral fulfillment.
• Track and support day-of event execution, including staffing plans, “Run of Show,” opening ceremony scripts, media coverage and volunteer onboarding.
• Execute local customization needs in partnership with volunteer committees and site leaders.     
• Manage event expenses and forecasts using standardized budget templates and reports.

2. Peer-to-Peer Fundraising Support

• Provide support to P2P fundraisers—team captains, individual registrants, and returning supporters.
• Employ fundraising collateral, toolkits, and strategic coaching to help participants reach and exceed their peer-to-peer fundraising goals.
• Support audience growth through community outreach, incentive campaigns, and event-day visibility efforts.
• Track participant activity, engagement milestones, and team-building efforts using Funraisin, Virtuous and Google Sheets.

3. Volunteer Engagement & Management

• Support volunteer recruitment campaigns for Lustgarten Walks and other events.
• Assign volunteer roles in coordination with event plans and update google sheets for visibility and task tracking.
• Facilitate onboarding and create regionally appropriate resources for volunteers.
• Provide day-of event leadership to ensure positive volunteer experience and efficient execution.
• Track volunteer metrics across all events to analyze retention and growth opportunities.
• Execute post event recognition.
• Strategize and fulfill re-engagement opportunities for volunteers.

4. Audience Development & Sponsor Cultivation

• Cultivate local sponsors and community partners to increase community engagement and financial support.
• Collaborate on recognition strategies for corporate teams and donors.
• Track sponsorship prospects and outreach efforts in shared tracking systems.
• Prepare customized engagement tools using Canva.

5. Marketing & Communications Implementation

• Work with Marketing - Communications Team to execute localized marketing strategies (digital ads, radio, tv ads, social messaging, media alerts, free calendar listings, press releases).
• Customize and distribute print collateral (postcards, posters, business cards) using Canva templates.
• Manage promotional material production and distribution workflows with vendors and volunteer leaders.
• Contribute opportunities to earn media touchpoints, including local calendar postings, PR submissions, and community outreach.

6. Operational Support & Data Integrity

• Maintain all logistics, communications, and financial data in Shared Drive, Virtuous, Google Drive, and Funraisin according to naming and tracking protocols.
• Submit invoices with proper coding and documentation in accordance with finance standards.
• Perform monthly event audits of budgets, expenses, and ROI to inform future planning.
• Ensure compliance with insurance documentation, vendor contracts, and permit submissions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in nonprofit management, event coordination, marketing, or fundraising.
• Minimum 4-6 years of relevant experience in event planning, community outreach, or peer-to-peer fundraising.
• Proficiency in Google Workspace, Microsoft Office, Canva, and database platforms (working knowledge of Virtuous, Funraisin, and Asana preferred).
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with a commitment to clarity, accuracy, and audience-focused messaging.
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex projects, multitask under pressure, and adapt to evolving priorities.
• Willingness to travel and work occasional nights and some weekends for events and regional outreach.

Performance Metrics

• Growth in number of returning walk teams and participants year-over-year.
• Execution of on-budget, on-time events with documented improvements via post-event debriefs.
• Increase in new sponsors, volunteers, and community partnerships per event.
• Accurate and timely financial submissions with 100% compliance to coding protocols.
• Demonstrated improvement in volunteer retention and engagement (target: 70% return rate).

Why Join Lustgarten?

You help drive real impact for people facing one of the deadliest cancers by creating opportunities for connection, purpose, and support. The Lustgarten Foundation empowers staff to bring bold ideas to life while collaborating across passionate teams united in one mission: to transform pancreatic cancer into a curable disease.

Salary range for this position: $70,000-$80,000/year