Manager, Special Events

Reporting to the Chapter Development Director, The Special Events Manager handles assigned aspects of the Walk to Defeat ALS™ program and is responsible for achieving budgeted annual revenue targets for walks in the Low Country Region of South Carolina. This position will be remotely based in the Low Country Region of South Carolina. 

Responsibilities and Duties: Core duties and responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

• Overall Planning - Develop strategic plan to implement the Walk to Defeat ALS™. The plan will include a timeline for each Walk “season.” Timeline should include deadlines, such as securing permits, material ordering, mailing, sponsorship inclusion, and such. Identify and implement new Walk markets and territories in the region through lead analysis, recruitment of Walk volunteer groups and committees, and overall market potential.
• Recruitment – Serve as the point of contact for calls from Walk committee chairs, volunteer leads, team captains or individual participants. All “leads” are entered into the database and the online Walk fundraising system and tracked for follow-up and development purposes.
• Growth and Development: Grow new and existing Walk teams, including Corporate Team Chair(s). Recruit Walk chair and committee members, team captains, as well as individual walkers and secure maximum income from each individual and team. Implement new ideas for growth.
• Sponsorship - Identify, recruit and secure sponsorship income for each Walk®. Prepare and update necessary materials as needed and ensure that all sponsorship logos are included in all mailings. Conduct information, corporate and recruitment presentations.
• Marketing and communication – Handle all public relations efforts relating to the Walk, including TV, radio and print communications. Maintain on-going and regular communication with teams (patient, family, and corporate teams). Regular pre-Walk progress report mailings to team captains and teams. Ensure post event follow-up including attendance at award reception, thank you letter’s with survey and the tracking of responses.
• Project management – Coordination of all aspect of the implementation of the Walk to Defeat ALS™ program. Establish projected income goals and develop and implement plans and strategies for meeting income goals for each Walk in the region. Coordination of committee meetings and activities. Coordination of kick off events 6 to 9 weeks prior to the Walk. Update, order, maintain, supply, and distribute all Walk materials.
• Volunteer management – Provide volunteers with clear and concise objectives, expectations, job descriptions and goals. Create and distribute weekly email updates to all volunteer participants beginning immediately after the kick-off and to continue for the full 8-weeks leading up to event day and a post-event thank you.
• Financial management - Ensure each walk site operates within budgetary guidelines. Work with Walk committee chairs to create budgets for each walk in assigned territory. Meet assigned income goals for each designated event.
• Reporting - Prepare reports for Board and committee meetings and assure materials are stored in an orderly fashion. Prepare agendas, minutes, presentations, proposals and reports using MS Office software applications.
• Administrative functions - Ensure that all materials provided and utilized are in accordance with National policy and best practices. Maintains confidential administrative filing and retrieval system for interrelated files and records. Impeccable grammar/proof reading, detail oriented and ability to format letters, memos, and reports using Microsoft Office programs.
• Convey a professional and positive image that reflects favorably on The ALS Association.

QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS

• Bachelor’s degree required, with minimum three to five years staff management experience with increasing responsibilities in event fundraising.
• Three to five years of experience in peer-to-peer fundraising, such as Walk and Run events.
• A proven success record in managing diverse and multiple fundraising events, working with local and remote staff and volunteers to achieve desired outcomes. 
• Experience working successfully in a goal-driven environment.
• A strong work ethic, essential for this demanding environment that continually strives for excellence. Skilled communicator, with superior interpersonal, verbal and written skills.
• Ability to effectively articulate the organization’s mission and impact.  
• An incredible passion for our mission that invigorates and excites everyone with whom you connect.
• A dynamic, driven and sophisticated professional excited by the opportunity to help shape the future of the fundraising department and the organization.
• Ability to handle sensitive information and maintain confidentiality. Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite required.  Experience using Luminate and CRM database programs desired. Ability to bend, lift and carry Walk to Defeat ALS equipment and other materials (up to 20 pounds) with assistance.
• Ability to travel up to 50% of the time and work occasional nights and weekends for Association business and events.
• May require occasional travel outside of South Carolina for regional or national meetings. Must have and maintain a valid driver’s license and a good driving record. Must maintain required insurance on automobile driven for business purposes.  

The ALS Association is an Equal Opportunity Employer – M/F/Veteran/Disability/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity