Events & Engagement Specialist (Chandler)

Be the one who makes a difference!

At Vertex Education we are a team of high achievers, courageous leaders, and passionate believers in changing lives through education. As a purpose-led education services provider, our mission is destined to benefit many and yet it starts with just one person inspired to work together with us to make a memorable and meaningful difference for our clients, schools, students, and communities. Be the one who makes a difference—with us.

The Events & Engagement Specialist supports the planning and execution of network-wide events, community outreach, marketing communications (MarCom), and organizational visibility initiatives across Vertex Education and Legacy Traditional Schools. Working closely with the Sr. Manager of Events & Engagement, this role translates strategy and priorities into organized, effective execution across the organization.

The ideal candidate is highly organized, proactive and relationship-oriented, with strong event planning and project coordination skills and the ability to manage multiple initiatives simultaneously. This position works cross-functionally with campus leaders, state-based teams, Vertex departments, vendors and community partners.

Essential Functions:

Events, Outreach & Community Relations:

• Support the planning and execution of network-wide Legacy and Vertex events, campus activities, student travel programs, and community outreach across multi-state markets.
• Provide hands-on event support, troubleshoot execution issues and escalate significant concerns.
• Manage Eventbrite listings, event logistics including scheduling, materials, vendor management and on-site execution.
• Coordinate family, community and alumni engagement initiatives while building relationships with businesses, nonprofits, and civic organizations.
• Submit purchase requisitions, order event materials and supplies; coordinate delivery and distribution to campuses and event locations; manage event inventory; and monitor vendor costs and expenses against approved budgets.
• Collect event attendance, feedback, expenses and other post-data to support metrics reporting and future planning.

MarCom & PR Visibility:

• Draft and distribute routine event communications, community engagement, partnerships and organizational initiatives, including invitations, stakeholder communications and event messaging.
• Gather and organize photos, content and other assets from campuses and Vertex events to advance MarCom efforts.
• Support MarCom and PR visibility by identifying compelling student/staff stories and gathering background information, photos, and materials to promote the organization’s reputation.
• Research and assist with local, regional and national award and recognition opportunities and assist with submissions.

Partnerships & Sponsorships:

• Identify corporate partners and community sponsorship opportunities in collaboration with campus leaders, state-based teams and internal stakeholders.
• Assist with outreach and relationship-building with prospective and existing partners and sponsors, facilitating communications, deliverables, activations, promotional materials, event participation and follow-up.
• Track partner and sponsor and partnership contacts, opportunities, deliverables and outcomes for effective follow-up and evaluation.

Employee Recognition:

• Assist in producing employee events, appreciation activities, milestone celebrations and other culture-building initiatives that strengthen connection.
• Manage vendors, awards, gifts and supplies associated with employee engagement and recognition activities.

Project & Operational Support:

• Use Asana and other project-management tools to organize MarCom tasks and proactively follow up with stakeholders to support timely execution.
• Monitor project deadlines, resources and documentation to support continuity, visibility into current initiatives and reporting.

Required Qualifications:

Education:

• Associate or bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Communications, Business, Hospitality, Event Management or a related field preferred.

Experience & Skills:

• Two to four years of experience in event planning and coordination, marcom, community engagement, partnerships, sponsorships, project coordination or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience planning and coordinating events from initial planning through execution and post-event follow-up, including timelines, logistics, vendors, materials, communications, setup and on-site support.
• Exceptional organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple concurrent timelines, deadlines, details and stakeholders while maintaining consistent follow-through.
• Ability to anticipate needs, identify missing information and proactively follow up on outstanding items.
• Strong written and verbal communication, relationship-building and customer-service skills.
• Resourceful and solutions-oriented with strong problem-solving skills and the ability to adapt when plans or circumstances change.
• Ability to work independently while following established strategies, standards and priorities.
• Proficiency with project management software, Microsoft Office and/or Google Workspace.

Credentials:

• Valid driver’s license.
• Ability to obtain and maintain an IVP Level One Fingerprint Clearance Card.
• Ability to successfully complete required criminal background screening.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in K-12 education, charter schools, nonprofit organizations or multi-location organizations.
• Experience with Asana, HubSpot, Eventbrite or similar project-management, CRM and event-registration systems.
• Bilingual English/Spanish preferred.

Physical & Travel Requirements / Work Environment:

• Reliable transportation and ability to travel between campuses, Vertex offices, community locations and event venues as needed.
• Ability to lift and carry objects up to 50 pounds and assist with event setup and breakdown.
• Ability to work outdoors for extended periods and in varying weather conditions, including heat and cold, as required for events and community activities.
• Ability to stand or walk for extended periods.
• Willingness to work occasional evenings and weekends based on event schedules.
• Occasional travel to other Legacy markets as needed.

Be excited to be a part of our team and grow your career with us!

Be the one who enables us to positively impact over 258,000 students across multiple states while driving our growth forward so we can enrich even more lives. Be the one who helps us achieve excellence for over 226 schools that we support with academics, finance, technology, human resources, communications, marketing, facilities, construction, and food services. Be the one who is a diverse thinker, a team player, a smart risk taker, an innovator, and a difference maker by encouraging others to climb higher and reach farther to further education.

• Be yourself surrounded by wonderful people who care about you, value your unique skills, and lift you up.
• Be supported in your work by caring leaders and team members who want you to succeed.
• Be empowered to make a difference and climb higher and reach farther to change lives through education.
• Be well in all aspects of your life from your physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing to your finances.
• Enjoy industry-leading pay, rewards, referral bonuses, with unlimited flexible paid time-off for performance.
• Be able to care for your health and your family with comprehensive medical, dental and vision benefits and invest in your future with 401(k) plans with a 6% employer match on your contributions.
• Enhance your growth and development with mentoring and money to take training classes.
• Thrive in a welcoming, supportive, and inclusive environment where we treat others with fairness and respect, celebrate diversity, and elevate equality and inclusion as an equal opportunity employer.

Be the one who makes a difference!

With an innovative mind, a hungry heart, and engaging spirit you can change lives through education. Be a part of Vertex Education and let’s make a difference together. Apply Today!