Special Events Manager

About Junior Achievement of Chicago Junior Achievement of Chicago partners with Chicago-area companies to create the workforce of the future. JA realizes its vision and purpose - to inspire and prepare young people to succeed in a global economy - through sequential and integrated kindergarten through grade 12 programs focusing on financial literacy, work readiness, and entrepreneurship. In partnership with business and educators, JA brings the real world to students, opening their minds to their potential. The business, economics and life-skill focused programs help students understand the relationship between what they learn in school and their successful participation in our economy.

Junior Achievement of Chicago

Empowering young people to own their economic success.

EntrepreneurshipWork Readinessand Financial Literacy

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J

jachicago.org

51-200 employees

Non-profit Organization Management

Chicago, IL

1940

Nonprofit

3.8k LinkedIn followers

Raised $7k

• Plan and implement area-wide events, including signature fundraisers, to exceed budgeted financial goals. Manage and maintain company accounts. Assist in developing awareness pieces to promote the events.
• Solicit new participants for peer-to-peer fundraising events, train company coordinators, team captains and other participants. Develop ideas to raise new funds for the campaign.
• Designated roles in our annual fundraising events: The Golf Outing, Chicago Business Hall of Fame, Wine Tasting, and Division Board Events.
• Work with the team to create efficient tracking of data, effective customer service, accurate financial reports, program books, and timely receipts/acknowledgments for donors.
• Manage and coordinate relationships with vendors to ensure logistics and event details are handled smoothly and efficiently.
• Coordinate with the area board’s Golf Committee to carry out their specific functions, including soliciting items and donations for silent auctions.
• Assist with logistics of the area board and annual meetings, including scripts, agenda, minutes, and overall planning.
• Meet requests of donors and external customers for special events on a timely basis.
• Support the overall development team with duties including gift entry, mailings, pulling reports, and document editing.
• Education/Experience: Bachelor’s degree or equivalent. Experience with fundraising accomplishments and/or resource development preferred.

• Ability to manage multiple priorities and strong attention to detail.
• Good organizational skills and detail oriented.
• Self-starter with the ability to host virtual and online events, as well as in-person events.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Experience and comfort in public speaking.
• Strong interpersonal skills.
• Experience with Canva.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office; especially in Excel, PowerPoint and Word.
• All JAC employees are expected to demonstrate the digital literacy needed to work effectively in a modern, technology-enabled workplace. This includes
• Ability to effectively use computers, cloud-based file storage, digital communication, and collaboration tools.
• Proficiency with Microsoft 365 applications like MS Word, MS PowerPoint and MS Excel.
• Learning and adapting to new software and technology, troubleshooting basic technology needs, and following appropriate data-security practices.
• Curiosity and an ongoing interest in learning how new and emerging technologies, including AI and automation, can be responsibly applied to improve productivity, collaboration, and effectiveness.
• Candidate must have a valid Driver’s License and vehicle transportation required to meet the responsibilities of the position, as this position requires travel within our 12-county franchise.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to: sit, walk, occasionally required to reach with hands and arms, continually required to talk or hear, occasionally required to bend, lift or climb, occasionally required to lift and carry light weights (25-50 pounds). Specific vision abilities include close vision, distance vision, ability to adjust or focus.
• Our diversity, equity & inclusion initiatives are applicable—but not limited—to our practices and policies on recruitment and selection; compensation and benefits; professional development and training; promotions; transfers; social and recreational programs; and the ongoing development of a work environment built on the premise of diversity equity that encourages and enforces Respect, Teamwork, Inclusion, and Dedication to Community.

• Target Incentive Opportunity: 5% of salary (contingent on meeting team performance and individual goals)
• Office Location: Our company is currently working on a hybrid schedule, with time spent in the office. The office is located Downtown Chicago.
• Junior Achievement is one of the world's largest and fastest-growing non-profit economics education organization. Junior Achievement of Chicago was established in 1940 and our office served over 433,000 students last school year. We are the passionate people dedicated to educating students about workforce readiness, entrepreneurship, and financial literacy through experiential, hands-on programs. See the JA website at www.jachicago.org [http://www.jachicago.org/] for more information.
• Position Purpose: This position is focused on planning and executing a variety of fundraising events, including division board, signature, and peer-to-peer events, to support the organization’s annual financial goals. This role is key in increasing visibility, building relationships, and driving financial support. The Special Events Manager ensures each event delivers a high-quality experience that advances the organization’s mission.