ORGANIZATION DESCRIPTION:
Year Up is a non-profit organization with a mission to prepare urban young adults aged 18-24 for life and work in our technology-driven society, while guiding them toward successful careers and higher education. Through a one-year, intensive training program, students receive a unique combination of hands-on technical and professional skills, college credit, and corporate internships.

In our ninth year of operations, Year Up serves more than 500 students per year across six sites in Boston, Providence, Washington, D.C., New York City, San Francisco and Atlanta, and expects to add one or more sites per year over the next four years. Year Up has received numerous awards, including Fast Company Magazine’s Social Capitalist Award for innovative business model and social impact in 2005, 2007 and 2008. See www.yearup.org for more information about our program.

POSITION OVERVIEW:

Year Up Boston seeks an entrepreneurial and results-oriented development and events professional to fundraise, manage, produce, and evaluate all Year Up Boston stewardship and cultivation events. In 2008, Year Up Boston held five major events that raised $800,000 dollars and expects to replicate or grow this activity in 2009. Reporting to the Director of Development, the Special Events Manager is a critical asset to the financial growth and sustainability of the Boston site. As a member of the development team s/he will work collaboratively to maximize all opportunities to engage, inform and education corporate partners and other donors about the mission and work of Year Up.

In keeping with Year Up’s values, the Special Events Manager will also interact with students as an advisor and group facilitator, participating in creating and sustaining a positive educational environment with trust among students, faculty and work site leaders.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

· Oversee Year Up Boston’s fundraising events to achieve strong and dynamic deliver of annual vision and goals

· Supervise the execution of each event including but not limited to: the Annual Drive Fore Success Golf Tournament, the Fall Carnival Gala Event, the Spring Cultivation Breakfast, two annual Graduations, and regular mentor networking and recruitment events.

o Set and drive all project timelines, synchronizing overlapping timelines whenever possible; manage budgets, staff teams, vendors, venues and volunteers; coordinate and track invitations, guest lists, ad sales, and collateral materials

o Plan, manage and execute new and existing events that advance donor involvement, cultivation and stewardship for major gifts

o Manage all event volunteers and volunteer teams

o Coordinate with Year Up’s national marketing and communications staff to actively market and publicize events

o Analyze results of the cost per dollar raised of events and develop and present recommendations to maximize value

· Collaborate with the development department on donor outreach and management, including directing and coordinating the work of event co-chairs and board members and tailoring communication methods and tools to the specific needs and interests of each population.

· Further the visibility of key fundraising activities by selecting experienced, creative volunteer leadership and establishing high-level and influential event committees; promote increased corporate sponsorship of events and most importantly, communicate the needs and programs of Year Up to the public at large

· Create business plan each year, setting and adhering to realistic and accurate budgets and goals, and implementing a strategy to meet those goals.

· Collaborate with the development team to manage the development and implementation of point-of-entry events including bi-weekly Opportunity Walks.

QUALIFICATIONS:

· 7-10 years of professional experience and 3-5+ years focusing on fundraising events in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial nonprofit environment

· Experience managing multiple complex, programmatic events with overlapping schedules and timelines; gala experience and experience managing corporate donors preferred.

· Excellent time management, project management, and organizational skills with strong, efficient decision-making capabilities and exceptional attention to detail.

· Highly-developed interpersonal skills, affinity for establishing and managing relationships, and demonstrated high level of confidence and poise

· Exceptional verbal and written communications skills

· Ability to rapidly assess problems, develop solutions, and deploy limited resources effectively

· Experience managing budgets, vendor relations and work plans

· Experience with the solicitation of event sponsorships and in-kind donations

· Team player with a passion for Year Up’s mission and a commitment to professional development

· Proficiency in MS Office required; Dreamweaver, Photoshop, knowledge of basic database systems and InDesign preferred

· Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience required

TO APPLY:

Please send a resume and thoughtful cover letter, outlining how your skills and experience meet the qualifications of the position and stating how you heard about this opportunity, (both in Word format) to Laura Roberts at lroberts@yearup.org. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

Year Up is an equal opportunity employer.