Senior Manager of Events

Job Description

Established in 2006, Hope For The Warriors is a civilian, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. The mission of Hope For the Warriors (HOPE) is to enhance the quality of life for post-9/11 service members, their families, and families of the fallen who have sustained physical and psychological wounds in the line of duty. HOPE is dedicated to restoring a sense of self, restoring the family unit, and restoring hope for our service members and our military families. 

Responsibilities

The Senior Manager of Events leads the planning and execution of events, and community activations that connect people to the mission of Hope For The Warriors.

This position independently manages assigned events and activations from planning through execution, including community events, fundraising events, donor and partner experiences, and volunteer activations. For HOPE’s larger signature events, the Senior Manager works under the direction of the Senior Director of Events & Experiences and manages assigned components of planning and execution.

The Senior Manager also supervises the Events Coordinator, providing day to day leadership and ensuring event logistics, registration, communications, and participant experience are coordinated effectively. 

Success in this position requires strong event management skills, excellent judgment, attention to detail, a hospitality mindset, and the ability to create polished experiences while working within established budgets.

Event & Activation Management

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• Independently plan and execute assigned community events, fundraising events, donor and partner experiences, and other organizational gatherings.
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• Determine logistical needs and develop comprehensive event plans, timelines, run of show documents, staffing plans, vendor requirements, and contingency plans.
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• Manage venues, catering, rentals, transportation, lodging, production, materials, signage, and other event logistics.
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• Serve as the primary event lead for assigned events, coordinating internal teams, vendors, and other stakeholders.
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• For HOPE’s larger signature events, including Got Heart Give Hope and the HOPE Celebrity Invitational, work under the direction of the Senior Director of Events & Experiences and independently manage assigned event components and workstreams.
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• Ensure events and activations are executed professionally, safely, on schedule, and within approved budgets.
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Guest & Participant Experience

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• Create thoughtful and welcoming experiences for donors, partners, volunteers, military families, community members, and other guests.
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• Oversee the participant journey, including pre-event communications, registration, arrival, hospitality, onsite flow, and follow up coordination.
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• Anticipate participant and operational needs and resolve issues quickly and professionally.
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• Ensure events and activations consistently reflect HOPE’s mission, brand, and standards.
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• Conduct post event evaluations and identify opportunities to improve efficiency, experience, engagement, and outcomes.
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Team Leadership & Coordination

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• Provide direct supervision, coaching, and day to day leadership to the Events Coordinator.
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• Establish priorities, assign responsibilities, monitor deadlines, and ensure effective coordination across events.
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• Partner with the Events Coordinator on event marketing, communications, registration, guest lists, event materials, and related administrative needs.
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• Partner with the Volunteer Manager to develop and execute meaningful volunteer opportunities connected to HOPE events, corporate partnerships, community engagement, and mission activities.
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• Build repeatable processes, templates, timelines, and event standards that improve consistency and efficiency across the organization.
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Budget & Vendor Management

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• Manager event expenses within approved budgets established for assigned events and activations.
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• Obtain estimates, coordinate vendors, monitor expenses, and maintain accurate event financial documentation.
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• Make thoughtful spending decisions that balance cost, quality, guest experience, and organizational priorities.
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• Coordinate contracts, invoices, payments, reimbursements, and other event related documentation with Finance and appropriate internal teams.
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Qualifications

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• 5+ years of progressively responsible experience in event management, hospitality, nonprofit events, experiential marketing, or related field.
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• Demonstrated experience independently planning and executing events from concept through completion.
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• Experience supervising staff and coordinating teams, vendors, volunteers, and multiple stakeholders.
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• Strong project management skills with the ability to manage multiple events and priorities simultaneously.
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• Exceptional attention to detail and ability to anticipate logistical and guest experience needs.
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• Strong hospitality and service orientation with experience creating high-quality participant experiences.
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• Experience developing and managing event budgets and working within established financial parameters.
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• Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
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• Ability to remain composed, resourceful, and solutions focused during live events and changing circumstances.
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• Experience with event registration, project management, CRM, volunteer management, or related technology preferred.
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• Ability to travel approximately 25%, including occasional evenings and weekends based on event schedules.
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• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and relevant professional experience preferred.
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• Valid driver’s license and ability and willingness to drive as required for work-related travel and event responsibilities. 
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• Ability to lift and carry up to 30 pounds, as needed for event set up, execution and breakdown.  
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• Preferred: Access to military installations. 
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