Special Events Manager, ACLU Fund of MI

Posted: 5/27/08
Location: Detroit

General Duties: The Events Manager is a member of the ACLU of Michigan’s development team and, under the direction of the Director of Development, produces a variety of events, including the annual dinner, cultivation events, and one-time special events.

Specific Responsibilities:
1) Annual Dinner: Oversee the design, implementation, and evaluation of the organization’s annual dinner as an important revenue source, cultivation opportunity, and “friend-raiser.”

  • Oversee the design, production and mailing of invitations and materials;
  • Facilitate selection of speaker and honorees;
  • Build and support effective volunteer committees;
  • Handle scheduling, facilities arrangements, logistics, budget, and all the details of successful events.
  • Conduct post-event thanks to volunteers and vendors;
  • Ensure database is updated with guest lists and prepare analytical reports;
  • Work with consultants and vendors to facilitate successful event implementation.
  • Strategize to reach new, young, and diverse audiences.

2) Cultivation Events: Execute small events to increase the financial base of the organization.

  • Work with the Major Gifts Officer to execute cultivation events around the state and integrate field staff and local units as appropriate;
  • Work with national office staff to take advantage of cultivation opportunities for these constituencies.
  • Organize brown bag lunches and other interactions with professional groups, especially law firms, to increase their financial support.

3) Local and Statewide Events: Maximize fundraising opportunities for local and statewide events organized by other staff.

a) With field organizers, ensure that local unit events are executed professionally and donor cultivation opportunities are maximized; ensure that local major donors and prospects are invited as appropriate; ensure that appropriate event record-keeping is integrated into database system; debrief with field staff to ensure appropriate follow-up with respect to potential development opportunities.

b) Provide support to field, legal, legislative and communications staff when they spearhead issue-based events. Ensure that local major donors and prospects are invited as appropriate and ensure that appropriate event record-keeping is integrated into database system;

4) Administration, Coordination and Support:

  • Develop and maintain tracking systems for events, ensuring that contact information of participants is integrated into development program;
  • Prepare correspondence to volunteers, hosts and supporters of events thanking them for their contributions;
  • Coordinate processing of local event ticket sales, income, and expenses with finance and development staff;
  • Inform development staff of donor cultivation opportunities that arise at events.
  • Other responsibilities. Attend ACLU and community functions. Help ensure smooth and effective office operations. Assist the Development Director and Major Gifts Officer as needed. Help maintain a positive, respectful, welcoming, and professional work environment for employees and volunteers.

Supervision: The Events Manager reports to the Development Director.

Qualifications:

  • Significant experience in successful event management and in handling multiple projects simultaneously. Strong ability to manage details and follow-through with projects with a minimum of direct supervision.
  • Strong interpersonal, communications and collaboration skills. Demonstrated ability to communicate and work effectively with staff, volunteers, vendors, bard members, and the general public. Solid writing skills for the preparation of letters.
  • Demonstrated administrative skills, including word processing, keeping organized files, and problem solving. Experience in supervising volunteers and working cooperatively with groups.
  • A confident, professional, and outgoing presentation. A history of reliability, conscientiousness, and timeliness.
  • Proven experience in juggling multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment with frequent and concurrent deadlines. Willingness to take on new tasks as the responsibilities of the position evolves.
  • Strong support of the ACLU and familiarity with civil rights and civil liberties issues.
  • A commitment to diversity; a personal approach that values the individual and respects differences of race, ethnicity, age, gender, sexual orientation, religion, ability and socio-economic circumstance.
  • Ability to work overtime or irregular hours and travel as needed.
  • B.A. or equivalent and two years of relevant, volunteer or professional level work experience.

To Apply:
Applicants should send a resume and cover letter to Desirnai’ Hicks, Development Director, ACLU of Michigan, 60 West Hancock, Detroit, MI 48201 or to dhicks[at]aclumich.org.