Event Manager

Position Overview: The Events Manager is responsible for planning, coordinating, and executing a variety of events to support Abilis’ fundraising goals and community engagement efforts. This role includes managing internal and external events, collaborating with committees and volunteers, and ensuring smooth event execution while maintaining budgets and fostering relationships with donors, sponsors, and community partners. The Events Manager is a full-time, on-site role based in Greenwich, CT, responsible for planning, organizing, and executing fundraising and community events that support the Abilis mission. Day-to-day responsibilities include developing event concepts and timelines, coordinating venues, vendors, and logistics, and managing event budgets and reporting. The role involves collaborating with internal teams, donors, sponsors, and volunteers to ensure strong attendance, effective promotion, and engaging program content. The Special Events Manager oversees event marketing materials, registration processes, and guest communications, and is present at events to supervise setup, manage on-site operations, and ensure a positive experience for attendees. The position also requires post-event evaluation, maintaining event records, and building relationships that enhance community awareness and philanthropic support. Responsibilities Maintain excellent communication with all stakeholders, ensuring events align with organizational goals. Provide consistent updates to the Senior Vice President of Development and other team members regarding event progress. Foster positive relationships with sponsors, donors, and volunteers to enhance engagement and support for future events. Adhere to all organizational policies and procedures related to event planning and execution. Assist the Senior Vice President of Development in soliciting sponsors, underwriters, and attendees for three key annual events: Walk/Run for Abilis, Spring for Abilis Gala, and the annual golf outing, with fundraising goals ranging from $30,000 to $550,000. Oversee coordination of internal events such as the Abilis annual meeting and staff appreciation events. Provide support and guidance for third-party events with community partners as needed. Develop and manage event budgets, ensuring alignment with expense and revenue projections, and reconcile financial details with the Finance Department post-event. Serve as the primary contact for event vendors, managing the bidding process through the delivery of services. Coordinate onsite event coordination, including guest list management, vendor oversight, volunteer assignments, and adherence to event timelines. Assemble and manage event committees and volunteers in collaboration with the Board of Directors, Friends of Abilis, and the Abilis Youth Board. Arrange and oversee all event-related committee meetings and follow up. Manage all aspects of invitation processes, including production, assembly, personalized notes, mailing list management, responses, and follow-ups. Collaborate with the Senior Vice President of Development to support the annual appeal mailing, including list management, coordination of note‑writing materials for the Board of Directors, and execution of this large‑scale appeal. Qualifications Bachelor’s degree in a related field. At least 3 years of fundraising and/or event management experience. Proficiency in Microsoft Office. Experience with Raiser’s Edge NXT software or a comparable system for gift entry. Experience with online event platforms. Strong organizational skills, detail-oriented, and creative problem-solving abilities. Superior customer service skills and the ability to interact professionally with donors, board members, volunteers, and program participants. Flexibility to work evenings and weekends, as necessary. #J-18808-Ljbffr Abilis