Events Manager

OUR CORE PURPOSE:

As an expression of God’s love in Southwest Florida, we are growing to ensure that no one experiencing hunger, homelessness or addiction is alone or without a pathway for their journey from crisis to contributor. Together with our partners and participants, we cultivate communities where people are progressively seen, accepted, challenged, and supported. 

General Summary: 

The Events Manager is a critical role and demands a dynamic and strategic leader capable of driving community engagement through meticulous event planning and execution, fostering strong volunteer networks, and ensuring seamless operational management for the betterment of St. Matthew’s House and its mission. This position is integral to orchestrating a wide array of high-impact community engagement events, ensuring seamless execution, and maximizing community involvement and support.

Essential Tasks:

1. Event Planning and Execution

Strategically plan, promote, and execute a variety of significant events, including Justin’s Place alumni gatherings (e.g., homecoming), Candlelight Vigil, community initiatives (e.g., Mighty Muscles, Everblades), and leadership events in collaboration with the Associate Director of Events.

• Play a crucial role in the successful planning and execution of major events such as Justin’s Place Graduation Ceremonies, Lee County Golf Classic, St. Matthew’s House Charity Golf Scramble and others.

2. Volunteer Recruitment and Training

• Spearhead recruitment and ensure a robust support system for events.
• Develop comprehensive training plans, presenting them to the Associate Director of Events a minimum of 2 weeks prior to each event.
• Work closely with the engagement team to secure adequate volunteer support for events within the purview of the Associate Director of Events.

3. Pre- & Post-Event Communications

• Manage all pre-and post-event communications with participants, coordinating with the Associate Director of Events and the Director of Major Gifts & Individual Giving to finalize plans.
• Make sure to finish timely post-event communications within two weeks after each event.

4. Staff Coordination & Communication

• At least four weeks in advance, facilitate effective communication with all St. Matthew's House staff about event specifics.
• Before distribution, make sure the Associate Director of Events reviews and approves all event materials.

6. Silent Auction Management

• Lead and maintain the Silent Auction Committee, which oversees the year-round collection and organization of silent auction items.
• Maintain a monthly average of 20 silent auction requests from businesses and individuals and use the OneCause platform to manage the auction process.

7. Sponsorship Strategy & Budget Management

• Ensure timely execution of sponsorship opportunities by conducting monthly strategy meetings with the Associate Director of Events.
• Oversee budgets for assigned events, meticulously recording and controlling expenses.

8. Staying Informed and Additional Responsibilities

• Stay well-informed about St. Matthew's House programs, activities, strategic directions, and financial situations to identify sponsorship opportunities, volunteer needs, and relevant information for website and social media updates.
• Undertake additional responsibilities as required to ensure the success and smooth operations of the St. Matthew's House Development Department.

Education: Bachelor’s Degree Preferred or 2 years’ experience in event planning. Virtuous certifications a major plus.

Experience: 2 years of event planning preferred.

Customer-Service Oriented: Maintain good relationships with vendors, sponsors, staff, and volunteers.

Calm under Pressure: Ability to remain calm during crisis and the high pressure of an event in progress.

Computer Skills: use of technology to communicate, plan, budget, and organize events.

Negotiation Skills: Negotiate fair prices and logistics requirements with staff and vendors.

Organization: Ability to prioritize many different on-going tasks in preparation for events is essential.

Problem-Solving Skills: Inevitably, things will go wrong at events. Quick problem-solving ability is required.

Physical Demand: The employee is required to handle, feel and/or reach with hands and arms, squatting, bending, and constantly moving on a regular basis. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. 

Working Conditions:  Working in different weather conditions outside is to be expected. Must be willing to occasionally work non-standard work schedule including nights, weekends, and other unusual hours due to business needs.

Travel: Travel is obligatory for this role. Must have a clean driving record and comply with providing the necessary documents to be approved on our approved driver’s list. Required to maintain primary auto insurance at minimum liability limits of $100,000/$300,000 bodily injury, $100,000 property damage or $300,000 combined single limit.