Event Manager, Multiple Sclerosis Walk Manager

Event Manager
Position Description
Leads the chapter and its designated walk sites to financial success through active corporate sponsorship recruitment, committee coordination and recruitment, logistical and team development. Creates and assures that a comprehensive marketing plan is coordinated and executed that includes, but is not limited to broadcast, print, electronic and published collateral. Takes ownership of all areas of the event, from solicitation to recruitment to prize fulfillment. Looks to the future of the event with a strategic eye on efficiency and improvement. Creates synergy with other departments, including Volunteers, Team MS, Marketing and Program resulting in a positive outcome for the chapter’s largest event.Responsibilities
Takes a leadership role both within the staff and to the volunteers
Reaches revenue goal ($3.65 million for 2007 event)
Coordinates all walk sites
Builds-on or creates volunteer committees for each walk site
Secures or partners with volunteers to obtain all necessary food and site sponsorships
Acts as staff liaison to manage all walk committee members including communication efforts before, during and after walk season
Ensures that all walk sites are appropriately staffed
Partners with Logistics Manager to orchestrate all logistical needs
Manage staff member, including performance evaluations, coaching and development, and duty delegation
Sets up and maintains aggressive time-lines and benchmarks throughout the entire year
Manages all walk marketing materials, including letters, emails, collateral, web information
Assures that all back-end functions are completed including prize fulfillment, acknowledgements, collection

Key Goals/ Performance Measurements
Cultivate and secure corporate sponsors each year to meet revenue goals (in addition to cash donations secured by volunteer committees).
Functional volunteer committees for each site
Monthly communication vehicle created to send to all committee members
Timely marketing communications
Meeting of revenue and team goals
About National Multiple Sclerosis Society Illinois Chapter
The Greater Illinois Chapter is comprised of all the Illinoisans who have chosen to fight MS and the work that they do through the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Volunteers, staff, healthcare workers, researchers, donors, advocates, and partners together represent the Greater Illinois Chapter, and all the many ways it’s possible to join the fight against multiple sclerosis. The National Multiple Sclerosis Society is the only voluntary health organization dedicated to the prevention, treatment, alleviation, and cure of MS. Not only that, but we are the only voluntary organization that meets the standards of all major agencies that rate non-profit groups
REQUIREMENTS
3 to 5 years experience managing events, preferably non-profit pledge events.
1 – 3 years successfully managing people
Proven success in sponsorship sales
Excellent writing skills
Excellent verbal communication skills
Strong computer skills
Detail oriented and extremely organized
Excellent customer service skills

Physical Requirements (i.e. lifting requirements)
Ability to lift up to 20 pounds (event prep and execution)
Ability to use a regular telephone system