Events Manager, City Year

Posted by on October 08, 2012

Events Manager, City Year

Posted on: September 20, 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. City Year’s diverse young leaders make a difference in the lives of children by working to close the achievement gap and turn around low performing schools in 20 U.S. locations and in London and South Africa. This year, more than 2000 City Year corps members are serving on diverse teams in schools and communities. City Year received more than 8,400 applications for 1,750 U.S. corps member positions in the 2010-11 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

At City Year’s 22 locations diverse young people serve full time for 10 months. These diverse and dedicated leaders put their idealism to work for children and communities especially through school-based service, as well as youth leadership programs and community transformation.

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 stay on track – and get back 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.

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 225 AmeriCorps

members serving in over 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. The EM reports to the Development Director 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

Events – 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, 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. For these events, the EM is responsible for updating budgets, timelines, que-to-que drafting, task lists, logistics, fundraising (as necessary), and other elements of the events as required.

Relationship Management: The Events Manager will have to 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.

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 the Individual Giving project, which can also include “Friendraisers” or small parties designed to raise new funders for City Year.

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 Serve a thon, MLK Day, National Youth Service Day, our Annual Spring Gala, and more. In addition, each staff member is required to go away for two overnight conferences – ACADEMY, held for all staff across the nation for a week in August and CYZYGY – our organization’s annual conference held for a week in June.

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
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/FjhWpKP5Bk5P/