Events Manager, City Year

Posted by on May 14, 2012

Events Manager, City Year

Posted on: April 26, 2012

Organization’s Mission and Goals

City Year was founded in 1988 on the belief that young people can change the world. The organization unites 17-24 year olds of all backgrounds for a year of full-time service, giving them the skills and opportunities to change the world. As tutors, mentors, and role models, these idealistic leaders make a difference in the lives of children, and transform schools and neighborhoods in 21 U.S. locations and in South Africa. This year, more than 1,750 City Year corps members are serving on diverse teams in schools and communities. City Year received 9,000 applications for 1,950 corps member positions for the 2011-12 program year.

City Year is committed to engaging community members, corporate partners, and civic leaders in this work, and together we’re building a citizen service movement that is larger than our organization, our lifetime, and ourselves. City Year’s vision is that one day the most commonly asked question of a young person will be, “Where are you going to do your service year?”

City Year Service

City Year is focused on significantly reducing the high school dropout rate in each of our target cities. Through City Year’s Whole School, Whole Child service model, City Year deploys diverse teams of full-time corps members in schools to help students get back on track – and stay on track – to graduate. Corps members serve in schools as tutors, mentors, role models and leaders of after-school programs. As near-peers, corps members are uniquely able to help improve student attendance, behavior
and coursework – which research confirms are indicators of a student’s likelihood of graduating from high school. This school-based service is at the heart of City Year’s approach to helping students and schools succeed. We have the aggressive goal of expanding to 6,000 corps members over the next several years, to get 50% of off-track public school in students each of our target cities back on track to graduate from high school.

Another important way corps members help students succeed is by leading programs that teach elementary, middle school and high school students about how to be active citizens in their communities and make a difference. In addition, City Year corps members foster a city-wide ethic of service by engaging community members, corporate partners and civic leaders in transformative physical service such as painting murals, planting gardens, creating play spaces, renovating schools and refurbishing community centers.

City Year Greater Philadelphia is one of the largest sites in the City Year network with 230 AmeriCorps members serving in nearly 20 Philadelphia schools.
Position Overview/ Job Summary

City Year Greater Philadelphia is seeking an EVENTS MANAGER (EM), who is responsible for the logistical management of all non-service events throughout the year, including budgets, timelines, portfolio teams and other elements leading up to producing a successful event. The EM reports to the Deputy Director of Development to make sure we are maximizing the impact of events so they achieve site objectives. Events will be used to clarify and amplify CYGPs mission and messages, as well as to support development objectives.
Responsibilities

Event Management: Responsible for managing all organization for all signature CYGP non-service events, including but not limited to; Opening Day, WIP RadioThon, the annual Tribute Dinner, Champion’s Receptions, Graduation and all Development Department events such as David’s Bridal High School Fashion Shows, Corporate Partner breakfasts, and others as directed by the Development Director.

Logistics: The EM is responsible for updating budgets, managing timelines and task lists, drafting queue to queues, tracking fundraising goals and in-kind requests, and other elements of the events as required. These events will require the EM to coordinate with the Co-Executive Directors, other site departments, City Year Inc. board members, and external partners and ensure that all staff members are prepared for any role they may have for an event.

Event Production: The EM will also coordinate with staff members working on the speaking program (on stage) for all events to make sure all goals are being met. This includes speaker selection and preparation, design elements for the room, stage and screen, and script writing.

Relationship Management: The Events Manager will manage key vendor relationships throughout the year, including Audio Visual companies, event venues, catering companies, etc. This list will fluctuate throughout the year but the EM will be the primary point of contact between City Year and the vendors. This will involve negotiation when necessary and ensuring that contractual obligations are met properly and with high quality. On the day of all events the EM will remain the primary point of contact for all vendors and direct them as necessary.

Development Roles: The Events Manager serves as a part of the Development Department, and will be required to take on other fundraising projects as directed by the Development Director. This may include Individual Giving projects, which can also include “Friendraisers” or small parties designed to raise new funders for City Year.

Social Media/Communications: The EM will be responsible for using social media to tell the everyday City Year stories online while professionally representing the CYGP brand and sparking interest in events. This includes working across departments to make certain proper messaging is being executed and is relevant to organizational goals. This may also include ensuring press releases are submitted around appropriate events.

Promoting National Service: City Year staff members are expected to think outside of their own job description at all times to help further the National Service Movement. This includes thinking of ways to engage new supporters through events and roundtable, communicating clearly to other staff members and departments about what activities are happening, and directing corps members to think beyond their daily service in their school. The EM will have to make sure all events are reflective of City Year’s mission.

Organizational Initiatives: All staff members devote one hour per week to corps member recruitment, including phone calls and interviews. Staff members also assist with events throughout the year, including CY Serves, MLK Day, National Youth Service Day, our Annual Spring Tribute Dinner, and more. In addition, each staff member is
required to go away for an overnight conference – ACADEMY, held for all staff across the nation for a week in July as well as a potential departmental conference in the winter.
Qualifications

BA/BS required, or extensive City Year experience
Demonstrated Event management experience required
Demonstrated relationship management
experience required
Demonstrated experience in non-profit, social
service or educational settings
Proficient in all Social Channels
Solid experience /passion for working with 17-24 year olds
Strong Time Management skills necessary
City Year / AmeriCorps/Peace Corps experience a plus

Skills and Abilities

Ability to work in a fast paced and diverse environment.
Excellent problem communication, interpersonal, analytic and problem solving skills.
Negotiation and third party mediation skills.

Competitive salary and benefits: Great benefits including health/dental/vision insurance, vacation days, holidays, parental leave, a matching 401K, Flex Spending Accounts, Commuter Benefit Accounts, T-Mobile Blackberry phone/service, and more. Staff members are eligible for increases yearly based on performance. Compensation commensurate with experience.

http://www.idealist.org/view/job/MmFpntPJ93xd/