Special Events Manager

Description

ABOUT MIRIAM’S KITCHEN

Miriam’s Kitchen works to end chronic homelessness in Washington, DC. We advocate for permanent supportive housing as a long-term solution, while meeting short-term needs by providing healthy meals and high-quality social services to individuals who are chronically homeless.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Special Events Manager is a key member of the development team, working across various revenue lines (individual, corporate, and foundation) and with other Miriam’s Kitchen departments and outside vendors. The position is responsible for managing revenue-generating and community engagement events and activities for MK. This role directly manages an array of events throughout the year, some coordinating with outside vendors and consultants, while others produced in-house without much external support. The Special Events Manager manages these opportunities to maximize revenue and minimize expense while producing interesting, fun, and educational events for MK supporters and prospective supporters. A typical day will include calling, emailing, and meeting with vendors and other staff members to create and refine these special opportunities. To thrive in this role, the Manager must have exceptional communication skills with colleagues, donors, and vendors. The candidate must have demonstrable success in juggling multiple and sometimes overlapping events and priorities. The Manager should have successful experience in fundraising or sales and a proven record of working well with colleagues.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Lead efforts creating, designing, and executing a variety of special events throughout the year.
• Serve as Project Manager to plan and manage all aspects of multiple events throughout the year.
• Communicate (phone, email, virtual meetings, events, and in some instances 1:1 meetings) directly with vendors, donors, and prospects about Miriam’s Kitchen and its engagement opportunities.
• Create and manage rigorous timelines and schedules for all managed events, working with outside consultants and vendors where necessary.
• Collaborate with fundraising teammates to create opportunities for sponsorship of events and to fulfill sponsorship deliverables.
• Maintain thorough and clear records (financial and narrative) about each event with the goal of constant quality improvement and refinement.
• Utilize digital platforms like OneCause, Classy, and Pardot to send out invitations and announcements and to track donations/contributions.
• Research and propose new events to generate additional revenue and engagement from targeted communities and constituencies.
• Serve as external “ambassador” and spokesperson for MK and its mission, where appropriate.

NONESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Ability to show up on time and adhere to the assigned work hours; demonstrate flexibility as many events may occur outside of typical business hours.
• Believes passionately in Miriam’s Kitchen’s mission, vision, and values and is committed to radical hospitality.
• Strong interest in and commitment to social justice and equity by ending chronic homelessness in DC.
• Comfort working with diverse populations, including staff, stakeholders, and guests with a variety of backgrounds and lived experiences.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Minimum three years’ experience in special event planning/management for organizations, fundraising event planning preferred.
• Strong sense of curiosity and willingness to dedicate attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently, take initiative, and work collaboratively in a fast-paced environment.
• Creative and entrepreneurial mindset in relentlessly pursuing opportunities.
• Proficiency in Word and Excel required.
• Solid organizational skills (able to work independently, flexibly, and productively in a fast-paced environment and the ability to manage a multi-faceted workload).
• Proven ability to manage workflow, multiple tasks, and meet deadlines to completion.
• Ability to work independently and research answers to questions once given a specified task.
• Commitment to Miriam’s Kitchen’s mission, vision, and values and committed to radical hospitality.
• Strong interest in and commitment to social justice and equity.
• Comfort working with diverse populations, including staff, stakeholders, and guests with a variety of backgrounds and lived experiences.

STANDOUT CANDIDATES MAY ALSO BRING:

• Experience in a fundraising, sales, or direct marketing environment.
• Experience with Salesforce or other CRM systems.

Project Management:

• Manage a varied portfolio of special events and opportunities throughout the year, with different goals and timelines.
• Maintain calmness and humor under pressure; continue to focus on delivering high-quality events.
• Experienced managing multiple projects.
• Proven ability to manage workflow, multiple tasks, and meet deadlines to completion.

Communication & Presentation Skills:

• Exceptional communication skills - both written and oral - and a dynamic, confident approach to building relationships.
• Ability to present, inform, and motivate individuals and groups about Miriam’s Kitchen’s mission and the importance of raising funds in support of the mission.

Time Management:

• Excellent organizational, time management, and calendar management skills.
• Ability to work independently and research answers to questions once given a specified task.

Commitment to Quality:

• Innovative and creative approach to work; willingness to experiment by rigorous testing.
• Strong attention to detail.

Confidentiality:

• Ability to maintain the highest standards of confidentiality with sensitive information, including proprietary organizational information, personnel, etc.

Physical Demands: Regularly required to sit; frequently required to talk or hear; occasionally required to reach with hands and arms, walk, stoop, kneel, or crouch; must be able to lift objects up to twenty-five (25) pounds.

Mental Demands: Ability to communicate (written and spoken) effectively in English is required.

TRAVEL DEMANDS: This position occasionally requires local travel between Miriam's Kitchen and partner sites. Where the need arises for business travel, appropriate compensation will be provided.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Hybrid (a blend of remote and onsite) work schedule. After-hours project work and representing Miriam’s Kitchen at community events is sometimes required. This position occasionally requires local travel between Miriam's Kitchen and partner sites.

Benefits:

Miriam’s Kitchen is proud to offer comprehensive benefits that support the continued health and wellbeing of our team including: 100% employer-paid medical, dental, and vision insurance; generous medical coverage for dependents; 100% employer-paid short-term disability, long-term disability, and life insurance; employer retirement contributions; generous annual paid leave, and annual professional development funds for all full and part-time team members.

EOE STATEMENT:

Miriam’s Kitchen values a diverse workforce reflective of the community we serve. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and do not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, sex, age, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, religion, political beliefs, or any other factors prohibited by law.