Special Events Manager - Heart Walk

Join the American Heart Association and take your career on a Mission - to build healthier lives, free of cardiovascular diseases and stroke. What's your motivation? For some it's the opportunity to do extraordinary work or to develop challenging new skill sets. For others it's the ability to make a difference in people's lives or take on growing levels of responsibility and leadership. However you define your professional goals, you have the opportunity to achieve them at the American Heart Association.

The Founders Affiliate of the American Heart Association is recruiting to fill Special Events Manager (SEM) position in our Wallingford, CT office. This position will handle the logistical aspects for 5 Heart Walks in the CT/RI/Western MA region. Extensive travel throughout the region is required including attending meetings and events before and/or after regular working hours.

The Special Events Manager (SEM) will work closely with the Fundraising Directors in a defined territory to ensure all components of the event are successfully executed. The SEM will be pertinent in the planning and execution of each event in their defined territory. The SEM will be the point person for all logistics and second in command during the planning process and the day of event. The SEM will frequently work without direct supervision and is expected to prioritize tasks based on timelines and customer needs. The SEM reports to the Director, Business Operations.

Essential Duties:

LOGISTICS

The SEM is expected to manage the following components of Heart Walks and Special Events:

1. Secure required permits (raffle, parking, liquor, etc.).
2. Negotiate with vendors and coordinate contracts (rentals, food, entertainment, etc.).
3. Coordinate and manage layout of event site.
4. Serve as contact person for event site personnel, support personnel, and vendors.
5. Recruit, train, and manage volunteers (office volunteers, event committees, and day of event volunteers).
6. Coordinate all printed materials (save the dates, invitations, programs, signs, etc).
7. Ensure sponsors receive appropriate recognition based on sponsorship benefits/guidelines.
8. Ensure printed materials conform to company branding guidelines and receive approval from communications prior to printing.
9. Ensure events incorporate elements of passion, education, and AHA mission.
10. Obtain incentives for walker contests and Top Walkers/VIPs to drive revenue generation.
11. Coordinate registration areas.
12. Organize and coordinate all transportation and delivery needs.
13. Solicit donations for the events (ex., water, food, prizes, services..) at various times throughout the year.

VOLUNTEER MANAGEMENT/CUSTOMER SERVICE

1. Work in the field with Community Teams to encourage and support the achievement of each walk goal.
2. Work cooperatively with the Directors and Executive Director within the region to coordinate activities and share information and further the mission of AHA.
3. Train walk companies on Kintera to encourage use of online fundraising tools.
4. Ongoing interaction and contact with event committees and event chairs.
5. Respond to voice-mail, email, and phone messages from co-workers, volunteers, customers, and vendors within 24 to 48 hours of receipt.
6. Develop volunteer schedule for day of event and distribute to volunteers and staff prior to the event.

Fundraising

1. Build relationships with sponsors and teams to retain and upgrade their financial involvement.
2. Recruit, manage and persuade key community and corporate leaders to establish aggressive Start! Heart Walk recruitment and monetary goals based on market potential.
3. In conjunction with the Executive Director/Senior Regional Director or Regional Vice President, set annual fundraising goal and implement business strategies and best practices to achieve revenue goals set.
4. Establish new accounts and cultivate new customers to reach highest level of revenue generation.
5. Aid in managing and mobilizing high level corporate business leaders to serve on Start! Heart Walk Executive Leadership Committee.
6. Build relationships with key corporate leaders who can support fundraising initiatives and involve them at the appropriate time.
7. Participate in business market assessment to determine market potential and target Start! Heart Walk companies.

TRAVEL

1. Attend committee meetings for various events in a defined territory.
2. Visit companies to attend meetings, train employees on fundraising databases, and pick-up and/or drop-off materials as needed.
3. Attend affiliate-wide meetings/trainings as required - Be on time and attentive.
4. Pick up donated items for walks.
5. Attend pre and post walk events.
6. Attend all events in a defined territory.
7. Attend volunteer fairs and health fairs as requested to recruit volunteers as needed.
8. Meet with event site personnel at event site on a regular basis to ensure smooth operation day of event.

Please review the experience section below to see if you meet the qualifications for this position.

Attracting talented, committed employees means offering a competitive benefits package, ongoing professional development and training, and a diverse and inclusive environment in which to work and grow. And we do.

To apply for this position or to see other opportunities with the American Heart Association please visit www.heart.org/careers. We no longer accept mailed, faxed or e-mailed resumes. Please apply for positions directly through our website. Only those candidates deemed most qualified by the hiring manager will be contacted to interview.

The American Heart Association is an Equal Opportunity Employer and works to prohibit discrimination and to assure fair and uniform treatment of applicants and employees in all aspects of Human Resources administration without regard to political or religious opinions or affiliations, membership or non-membership in employee organizations, age, sex, disability, race, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, marital status or any other non-merit factor.

Qualifications:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills and ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

1. Proficient in Microsoft office applications, including database management.
2. Above average written, verbal and communication skills/ Ability to convey a positive and professional image.
3. Self-starter with the ability to prioritize, multi-task and excel in a fast-paced environment.
4. Good decision making and problem solving skills.
5. Ability to work with minimal supervision.
6. Experience leading groups and running meetings.
7. Ability and willingness to travel when needed.
8. Ability to lift and/or move 25 lbs.
9. Ability and willingness to work extended hours, including nights and weekends as needed.
10. Driver's License and transportation required.
11. Satisfactory background checks including consumer credit, motor vehicle, and criminal history.

Education/Experience:

Bachelors Degree and 2 years work experience, preferably in event planning or in a non-profit environment.

Supervisory Responsibilities: There are no supervisory responsibilities for this position.