4 Point Consulting is working closely with Horizons for Youth to select and recruit a qualified Special Events Manager. This is a great opportunity with great benefits for someone interested in fundraising, giving back, and youth development.
Horizon's For Youth is a community organization committed to helping children recognize and achieve their full potential. We are Chicago’s only organization providing need-based scholarships, comprehensive support programs and educational resources for students of all academic ability levels, from kindergarten through the start of their career, and are currently serving a total of 265 students in both public and private schools. Through our holistic approach, 99 percent of our participants have graduated from high school and 84 percent have graduated from college or are currently pursuing their degree. These results prove that with the right combination of competencies, family investment, and community support every child, regardless of socio-economic status, can reach their full potential.
Position Overview:
The Special Events Manager will lead the advancement efforts of Horizons for Youth by working in conjunction with Horizons for Youth staff and key volunteers to ensure all fundraising events run effortlessly, efficiently, and effectively. The Special Events Manager will be responsible for the full planning and implementation of On Cloud Nine and No Ordinary Evening, two of the organization’s largest fundraisers with budgets of $100,000 and $250,000, respectively.
ON CLOUD NINE was founded in 2001 to honor the memory of Paige Barnett, who passed away on February 2, 2000 at the age of 18 months. The event, established by Paige’s parents, Kent Barnett and Lauren Heath, supports students of Horizons for Youth. On Cloud Nine also now pays tribute to Lauren Heath, who passed away in July of 2015, after a courageous battle with brain cancer. Over the last 18 years, this event has grown to bring 650 guests together and has raised over $4.5 million in total to support student scholarships, mentoring, and enrichment opportunities.
NO ORDINARY EVENING was founded to remember and celebrate the life of Declan Drumm Sullivan, who was tragically killed in an accident at the University of Notre Dame on October 27, 2010. His family created the Declan Drumm Sullivan Memorial Fund to memorialize Declan’s life. Over the last eight years, the Sullivan Family has worked tirelessly with their closest friends and family to support our mission by raising $4 million in total and gathering approximately 600 guests for a seated dinner. The Declan Drumm Sullivan Memorial Fund supports organizations that demonstrate substantial local impact in the areas of education and community service – Horizons for Youth is the primary beneficiary of the fund.
The Special Events Manager is responsible for managing all aspects of events. Job duties can be categorized into three primary areas.
Responsibilities:
Event Logistics
Establish precondition meetings and timelines with hotel and/or applicable staff, Horizons staff, and volunteers leading up to events.
Manage all vendor relationships, including event site, catering, A/V, printing, band, and auctioneer.
Establish timelines and due dates to execute events within budget.
Develop expense budgets and manage all event invoices.
Plan smaller on-going events to promote awareness of Horizons for Youth and larger events to include donors throughout the year.
Volunteer and Donor Relations
Plan and lead committee meetings for On Cloud Nine and No Ordinary Evening.
Staff Young Professionals Board at all monthly meetings.
Assign tasks and markets to auction committee members for donations.
Provide support to the Young Professionals Board at annual events.
Create day-of event timelines for to support all staff and volunteers.
Administrative
Prepare ongoing event status updates for the Development Team and CEO.
Manage and track event expenses.
Maintain accurate and complete records of event donations, including event revenue, auction donations and in-kind donations.
Record all On Cloud Nine and No Ordinary Evening committee meeting notes and distribute in a timely manner.
Participate in weekly Development Team meetings.
Work collaboratively with staff on Development and Program opportunities.
Requirements:
Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience required.
Prior event experience is necessary.
Ability to meet fundraising goals for multiple agency events.
Highly organized with outstanding attention to detail.
Ability to thrive in fast-paced environment and successfully project manage.
Understand and commit to the empowerment of families from low-resource areas.
Prior experience and sensitivity to working with diverse communities.
Conversational Spanish preferred.
Horizons for Youth is an equal opportunity employer and seeks to employ qualified individuals based on individual merit. Horizons for Youth does not discriminate against any individual with respect to the terms and conditions of employment based on that individual’s race, sex, age, religion, color, national origin, disability, genetic information, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, housing status, or any other non-merit factor protected under state, local or federal laws. Equal Employment Opportunity applies to all personnel actions such as recruiting, hiring, compensation, benefits, promotions, training, transfer, termination, and opportunities for training. Horizons for Youth is committed to a fair and equitable workplace where everyone is a respected and valued member of the team.
This is a full-time position (40 hours a week). The position includes paid vacation and health, dental, and life insurance benefits, with 100% of employee premiums paid by Horizons for Youth.