Assistant Manager of Events (Full-Time)

Reports to Manager of Events

Direct Reports: Volunteer event committees and event volunteers

The Richmond SPCA is a non-profit organization located in the heart of Richmond, Virginia. As a leader in the field of animal welfare, we are cultivating a community committed to saving, protecting and enriching animal lives with a mission to provide education and resources to achieve and sustain a no-kill community. Annually, we rescue, rehabilitate and find homes for about 4,000 homeless animals while also providing our region with vital safety net programs designed to keep thousands of pets in loving homes and out of shelters. Our values of collaboration, creativity, honesty, inclusion and respect guide not only what we do – but how we do it. 

Our Assistant Manager of Events works with our Manager of Events to plan, organize, and execute Richmond SPCA's portfolio of fundraising, community engagement, and mission-driven events – including two of Richmond’s most beloved and long-standing traditions: the Fur Ball and the Dog Jog, 5K and Block Party. Our Assistant Manager of Events must be creative, driven and detail-oriented, with a knack for bringing people together for a worthy cause.  

Essential Functions

• Support our Manager of Events’ oversight of all aspects of signature and non-signature event planning and execution from initial concept to post-event evaluation
• Work with our Manager of Events to develop and implement a comprehensive non-signature event strategy aligned with the Richmond SPCA’s fundraising and community engagement goals
• Continuously innovate and improve existing non-signature events, ensuring they remain relevant, engaging, and fun for participants while maximizing their impact
• Coordinate signature event committee meetings
• Assist with the planning and execution of marketing efforts for Dog Jog, 5K and Block Party participant registration, event promotion and raffle sales, working closely with the Manager of Events and Communications team on the event website, marketing e-blasts, mailers and posters
• Assist the Manager of Events to coordinate event staffing needs for the Dog Jog, 5K, and Block Party, working in partnership with People Operations and the Volunteer Management Team
• Process, enter and acknowledge signature and non-signature event related donations, ticketing, registrations, raffle ticket purchases and event sponsorship pledges/payments accurately within a week of receipt
• Track and fulfill marketing benefits and provide accurate invoices related to event sponsorships
• Manage signature event raffles
• Assist with the redemption process for prize and auction packages associated with signature fundraising events (which may include travel arrangements, dinner parties, use of private vacation homes, etc.)
• Help maintain the integrity of event donor and gift data collected through the event website, donor CRM and peer-to-peer platforms and other sources
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications, Skills, and Expectations

• Alignment with the Richmond SPCA’s mission to achieve and sustain a no-kill community – including promoting pet adoption and spaying/neutering – and to utilizing reward-based, positive reinforcement (R+) training methods
• Effective, professional, and empathetic communication (written and verbal) with the public, volunteers, and all Richmond SPCA employees
• Attitude that contributes to a welcoming, accessible, compassionate, and respectful atmosphere 
• Ability to multi-task, take and follow directions, and adapt to and productively accommodate changing demands – all with excellent attention to detail 
• High emotional intelligence and ability to react to change productively
• Exceptional organizational skills and a meticulous attention to detail
• Punctual, reliable, deadline-driven with excellent time management skills
• Natural collaborator
• Strong work ethic, resourcefulness, and a “can-do” attitude
• Creative and strategic thinking abilities with a proactive approach to problem-solving
• Strong computer skills (Microsoft 365 suite, Canva)
• Proficiency with event management software and constituent relationship management systems is a plus

• Availability to work weekdays, weekends, and evenings dependent on event-related needs
• Have a valid driver’s license and reliable transportation for offsite events and meetings, including during inclement weather
• Be 18 years of age or older

Physical Job Requirements

• Able to work around animals (including those who are sick or injured or who have challenging behaviors), loud noises, cat litter, animal waste, allergens (pet dander, peanut butter), various chemicals, and disinfectants
• Able to sit or stand at a desk and perform administrative tasks (using a computer or phone) for up to 8 hours at a time
• Able to kneel, stoop, and lift 25 pounds regularly, and have physical strength to perform tasks related to event setup and teardown

Work Environment

• Fast-paced, deadline-driven
• Supportive, collaborative team environment that encourages and celebrates creativity and resourcefulness
• Potential for animal bites and scratches and diseases that are zoonotic (can be transmitted from animals to people)
• Private office with opportunity to bring your pet to work if approved by People Operations
• Telework opportunities with prior approval from Manager of Events

Richmond SPCA employees are eligible to become clients of our low-cost, full-service Susan M. Markel Veterinary Hospital and have access to an Employee Assistance Program. Employees who average 15+ hours per week are eligible for voluntary (employee-paid) benefits including accident insurance, hospital indemnity and critical illness insurance. Employees who average 20+ hours a week can participate in our 401(k) retirement plan and have access to paid wellness leave. 

Full-time employees are eligible for insurance benefits, including medical, dental, and vision, life insurance, short-term and long-term disability, and paid personal leave.

The Richmond SPCA is a qualified employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.