Specialist, Development and Logistics

Cure SMA is seeking an agile, dynamic, and driven professional with a track record of executing peer-to-peer and distinguished fundraising events. With direction from the Director, Development & Events, this candidate will be responsible for the logistical management and success of an event portfolio comprised of community walks, galas, golf tournaments, and other fundraising events.

The ideal candidate will model and foster behavior that establishes a culture that values the staff/volunteer partnership, is consistent with the values, goals, and objectives of Cure SMA, and creates an atmosphere of respect, innovation, balance, compassion, determination, collaboration, and dedication to the mission. This individual will reside in the Chicagoland area and will be required to work from the Cure SMA office in Schaumburg a minimum of two days per week and additional days dependent on business needs. 

Essential Functions:

• Manages relationships and acts as lead to contracted vendors supporting all Cure SMA fundraising events, including, but not limited to, venue and hotel contacts, A/V support, entertainment vendors, and all other major vendors necessary for peer-to-peer fundraising and special events.
• Ensures comprehensive research and contract negotiation for all development events, including venue contracts, event services, and onsite management. Collaborate with the Manager of Development Business Operations to ensure all contracts, and vendor agreements meet Cure SMA policies, keeping expenses in budget and risk to a minimum. 
• Under supervision of the Director, Development & Events, maintain detailed reporting and manage fundraising event budgets, timelines, and best practice implementation for logistics within the Development department, including fundraising incentive fulfillment.
• Develops and trains staff on SOPs, fundraising event logistics, and planning for peer-to-peer fundraising and special events.
• Prospects, and secures, in-kind donations for key special fundraising event markets.
• Builds successful relationships with key participants, vendors, sponsors, and community leaders as well as existing and new corporate partners. 
• Works with the Operations and Community Support teams, as needed, including logistics related to the annual SMA conference.
• Ability to handle sensitive information and maintain confidentiality. 
• Ensures compliance with Cure SMA policies, including employment, event and cash handling, and financial controls. 
• Ability to work with diverse communities and demonstrate inclusion.

Responsibilities:

• Participates in required education programs and meetings. 
• Performs other responsibilities as assigned to support Cure SMA and the Development Team. 

This job description identifies the key responsibilities and expectations for performance. It cannot encompass all specific job tasks that an employee may be required to perform. Employees are required to follow any other job-related instructions and perform job-related duties as may be reasonably assigned by their supervisor.

Minimum Experience/Skills/Competencies Required:

• Two years of experience in special event logistics and planning preferred. 
• Knowledge of working in fundraising non-profit is strongly preferred.
• Experience working successfully in a goal-driven environment. 
• Ability to manage multiple projects with overlapping deadlines.
• Experience working with committees and/or event volunteers is highly desired.
• Excellent organizational, planning and project management skills. 
• Ability to be an effective, contributing team member and to work collaboratively across departments at all levels of the organization. 
• Skilled communicator, with superior interpersonal, verbal, and written skills able to effectively articulate Cure SMA’s mission and impact. 
• A strong work ethic with a drive to succeed and a willingness to learn, essential for a demanding environment that continually strives for excellence. 
• Excellent time management and problem-solving skills with a high level of detail orientation and accuracy. 
• Proficiency of MS Office required. Experience working in Salesforce CRM, OneCause, and DonorDrive databases strongly preferred.
• Ability to travel up to 25% to fundraising events. Travel for business and operate a vehicle/drive (must maintain licensure and comply with fleet policy).  
• Work in an office/home office and/or remote setting, as well as in the field.
• Minimum 25% travel required for fundraising events including overnight and weekends.  

Additional Skills and Duties:

• This position will be responsible for managing and executing on event logistics, managing office and event assets. 
• The position requires strong analytical, communication, and negotiating skills, good judgment in making decisions independently, and an ability to establish and maintain positive professional working relationships with a wide range of internal and external partners. 

Work is generally sedentary in nature, but requires walking, sitting, traveling, and occasionally standing, bending, reaching, lifting boxes, and unloading supplies. Requires ability to lift 25 pounds or less.  

The physical environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

The pay range for this position is $47, 000 to $52,000 annually. The actual base pay offered may vary depending on multiple factors including job-related knowledge/skills, experience, business needs, geographical location, and internal equity.

Our employee benefits include the following:

• Medical, dental, and vision.
• Short- and long-term disability insurance.
• Basic life insurance.
• Voluntary life insurance.
• AD&D insurance.
• Health Care, Dependent Care, and Limited Purpose FSAs
• 401K plan with company match.

This requisition is expected to stay active for 45 days but may close earlier if a successful candidate is selected or business necessity dictates. Interested candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible to ensure consideration.