Program Officer, Strategic Events and Engagements

Summary: The Program Officer, Strategic Events and Engagements is responsible for executing events and establishing sponsorships that help build a robust community of support for our mission of uniting our community and resources to build racial equity and opportunities for all Rhode Islanders. For events, they will establish the vision, develop the strategy, and drive the execution of events that are powerful, informative, and memorable. With sponsorships, they will create meaningful opportunities for companies to engage with and support our work.

Overall, both events and sponsorships should:

• Introduce more Rhode Islanders to our mission and work.

• Strengthen our relationship with existing supporters and community partners and deepen their understanding of how they can create change in our state.

• Build a diverse and powerful coalition to unite our community and resources in building racial equity and opportunity for all Rhode Islanders.

The Program Officer, Strategic Events and Engagement will report to the Senior Director of Marketing and Communications. They will be a key leader in the Marketing and Communications team within the Resources and Engagement department.

Duties and Responsibilities:

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  Manage and execute signature, organizational-wide, stewardship events, such as our Annual Celebration, Power of the Purse, Day of Action, etc. Creatively design themes and messaging, to deepen relationships with guests about the work of United Way. Oversee event details such as location, catering, permits, rentals and other logistics as required to execute the event.

• Create and deliver mission-impact events such as our Community Conversations, Lights-on-Afterschool, etc. Working with partners in the Community Impact and Equity team, execute events that are thought-provoking and inspire action. Where appropriate, serve as emcee/facilitator for events to drive conversation and impact.

• Manage the registration and fulfillment process for events, ensuring that registration is a smooth user experience and that we leverage events to expand our community.

• In partnership with our Corporate Relations team, secure and steward sponsorships to increase fundraising efforts to United Way’s Community Impact Fund. Support a sponsorship strategy for the organization including identifying prospects, packaging opportunities, cultivating relationships, and reporting results. Ensure fulfillment of sponsor benefits and engagements across events and campaigns.

• In collaboration with the rest of the Communications team, design, message and promote events via digital and non-digital platforms, as well as follow up with attendees after events. Examine and assess return on investment for each event via surveys, income, attendance and other data analysis.

• Build strategic partnerships with vendors to reduce costs. Develop a preferred vendors list and organizational protocols to support and streamline all organization events and meetings. Leverage vendor relationships to meet the goals of Resource Development and United Way of Rhode Island.

• Manage a budget and maintain clear data records. Utilize CRM system to track, report and analyze event participation, sponsorships, communications and outcomes.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Staff at the United Way of Rhode Island strive to embody the organization's five core values; impact through equity, respect and value all, lead with a growth mindset, be a legendary partner, and strive for excellence. The organization looks for candidates who demonstrate their ability to carry out these values as follows:

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  Impact through equity – create and deliver events and foster sponsorships that advance racial equity in the state. This may require hard conversations, challenging the status quo, and establishing open lines of communication.

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  Respect and value all – create and deliver events that are inclusive and welcoming, and provide an opportunity for growth and understanding. Establish relationships with sponsors that are grounded in respect and understanding.

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  Lead with a growth mindset – be committed to continuous improvement of our events and sponsorships. Build on strengths while deepening understanding of what makes impactful events and meaningful partnerships with sponsors.

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  Be a legendary partner – able to build relationships across the organization to create high-quality events that help achieve organizational goals. Able to build relationships with community partners to expand the impact of our events. And able to manage relationships with vendors to ensure excellent service and value. Able to steward relationships with sponsors to create significant brand and mission value for both parties.

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  Strive for excellence – candidate should demonstrate a drive to make United Way of Rhode Island a leader in event experience and sponsor relationships. They will demonstrate an attention to detail, adherence to effective and emerging practices, and will utilize data and research to continually improve our content.

In addition, strong Program Officer, Strategic Events and Engagement candidates will also be able to demonstrate the following skills and competencies:

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  Audience orientation – consistently keeps target audiences front and center and develops events that are powerful, informative, and memorable. Understands the needs and desires of potential sponsors to find authentic partnership opportunities.

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  Curiosity – has a storyteller’s curiosity and will utilize events to share great stories from across the organization.

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  Versatility – prepared and excited to create and deliver a wide range of high-impact events from large in-person events to powerful, intimate conversations.

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  Leadership – demonstrate leadership as defined by their willingness to hold responsibility and their skill at supporting success in others.