Specialist, Leadership Events and Operations

The Specialist, Leadership Events and Operations works to help ensure the assigned revenue portfolio reaches budgeted revenue with direct oversight of the Taste of Generosity: New Orleans. Portfolio includes Leadership Events in the Alabama Mississippi and Louisiana market. The position will also assist with other events with guidance from the Sr. Manager of Leadership Events and in partnership with the local Market Leader. This position is responsible for recruiting, training, and partnering with volunteers to meet and exceed event campaign goals in all these areas.

The secondary responsibility of this role is to ensure general operations are efficient, in compliance with Society policies and meet state regulations. This role provides support in functional areas of human resources, finance and accounting, risk management, event registration and cash management, and general office and equipment maintenance. This role requires a general knowledge of business operations including specialized knowledge of basic accounting principles, human resources, and risk management. This role is both external and internal facing and requires a high degree of relationship management and confidentiality.

Essential Function/Responsibility

Generates a defined revenue in Leadership Events revenue while providing leadership, accountability and direction for volunteer team throughout the assigned event revenue portfolio (70%)

Responsible for executing campaign plans, fundraising goals and objectives that support Society strategies.
Manage the implementation of fundraising plans ensuring that adequate resources are provided to successfully accomplish goals and objectives.
Manage, in conjunction with Market Leaders, a defined budget for assigned Leadership Events ensuring that revenue and expenses are effectively tracked, managed, and adjusted throughout the fiscal year as indicated or needed; provide progress reports and revenue/expense projections to supervisor.
Use market research, industry, and competitive data to analyze to contribute to future direction to increase fundraising.
Responsible for assistance in establishing, cultivating, and securing strong relationships with corporate partners and individual donors.
Create and maintain Donor Drive and OneCause sites including auction, P2P Champion pages, email communication and text communication with attendees.
Assist with collateral including scripts, night of PowerPoint presentations, email invitations and communications and mailed invitations and communications.
Secure and manage logistical details for events including locating and securing venue, managing vendor contracts, and submitting contracts for review and payment.
With input from the Market Leader lead seating and table mapping for events
Assist and prepare for Volunteer Committee meetings and present as needed.
Provide reports for donor and sponsor follow-up post-event, partner with Market Leader on reaching out to donors and express gratitude, ensure all outstanding sponsorship, donation and auction payments are received and work to create an auction item pick-up process.
Lead the event reconciliation process but pulling reports and completing the 20-40-60 receipting process.
Ensure high-end customer service for the Society’s contributors.

Collaborate effectively with all Society departments to achieve development goals (5%)

Engage with staff and volunteers to keep market strategies and initiatives in line with organizational priorities and to develop personal and team strengths and leverage continuous learning opportunities.
Collaborate with the Individual Giving and Major Gift Team to ensure a unified approach to major donors who are also event participants or corporate sponsors.
In collaboration with the market leadership team, individual giving/major gift team, and corporate team, support and cultivate relationships with donors, sponsors, and vendors.
Work to ensure that proper mechanisms are in place to appropriately receive and account for donations and expenses.
Work to ensure that all donor records are accurately recorded into the national database and to facilitate donor recognition.
Facilitates Volunteer Engagement for fundraising and event experience in the assigned event revenue portfolio (5%)

Increase the number of Society volunteers focused on Leadership Events by recognizing and recruiting talent.
Support engagement of volunteers through meaningful and impactful work that is well defined and structured by employing the strategies, tools and resources in their local market. Identify, develop, and grow volunteer capacity (skills and talents) to achieve measurable and sustainable results while removing obstacles.
Ensure volunteer behaviors are aligned with Society Operating Principles; provide timely feedback and coaching to improve performance and behaviors.
Ensure that volunteers are fueling the success and expanding the capacity by coaching to and assisting staff with building action-oriented volunteer leadership committees for fundraising (acquisition of sponsors and individual donors) and event experience (the quality of the experience a company and/or individual has from the time they commit through completion of the event) that will be led by the Market Leader and supported by the Leadership Events Specialist.
Cultivate volunteers, seeks, and provides feedback and shares opportunities for reciprocal growth and learning.

Operations (20%)

Provide general support with various market operational tasks such as, general event support, returning phone calls, and running data reports; as requested and where feasible
Support market leads in board meeting set up and management, including minutes preparation and GoToMeeting support as requested
Assist with donor data entry; money moves and resolution of donor data issues
Provide accurate annual (and as requested) property insurance updates as part of the renewal process
Assist other markets with administrative and financial functions as requested
Other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications

Minimum Education Required: BA/BS (5 or more years of experience considered in lieu of degree.)

Minimum Experience/Skills/Competencies Required

Minimum of 3 years of related experience in fundraising, and campaign/event experience
Experience building and leading fundraising committees
Results driven style and proven track record of sales/fundraising success
Understanding and experience with corporate and individual giving
Self-starter, motivated individual who can deliver on goals independently
Ability to quickly build credibility within and outside of the organization and make an immediate contribution to accomplishing key priorities
Demonstrated success in building a productive, cohesive team of volunteer leaders
Creative and energetic individual who functions well within a fast-paced, team environment, which includes cross-department collaboration
Ability to work well with volunteers, staff and a variety of constituents is essential
Outstanding customer experience and services abilities
Superb verbal, written and communication skills, diplomacy, and discretion
Ability to manage and motivate groups, both internally and externally
Excellent negotiation skills

Technical/Other

Advanced computer abilities (MS Outlook, Word, Power Point, Excel, on-line fundraising tools, databases);
Must have a valid driver’s license and access to personal transportation, and be able and willing to drive throughout the state approximately 30% of the time;
Ability to work selected nights and weekends.
Compensation/Benefits:

The estimated hiring compensation range for this role is $48,000-$58,000 annually.  Final offers will be based on the candidate’s geographic location and consider career experience and may vary from this range due to these and other factors.

The National Multiple Sclerosis Society provides a highly competitive, comprehensive benefit package to employees. These benefits include a considerable Paid Time Off Plan; Paid Holidays; 401k Retirement Savings Plan with Society match; Educational Reimbursement Plan; Professional Development Assistance; Commuter Benefit Plan; Flexible Work Arrangement Options; Comprehensive Health & Welfare benefits including Medical, Dental, Vision, Flex Spending Accounts, Life Insurance, Disability Coverage, Life Assistance Plan as well as additional voluntary benefit offerings.

The National MS Society is committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce. We strive to create a workforce that reflects the communities we serve and where everyone feels empowered to bring their authentic selves to work. We need you and your unique talents and perspectives to help us write the last chapter on MS.

Working Here:

To foster a collaborative culture and support the Society’s mission, all Society employees, regardless of working arrangement, are expected to participate in department and local market meetings/outings and work Society fundraising events in their local market throughout the year.

The above statements describe the position as it exists now.  They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required in this position.  It may be redesigned or reorganized at Human Resources discretion at any time.