Location: Office-based in Schaumburg, IL

Travel: Estimated 30%

JOB SUMMARY:

Under the supervision of the Regional Development Officer, the Director, Special Events has the responsibility for assuring the successful achievement of aggressive fundraising goals for all national-level special events in the Region.  This position will have primary responsibility for planning, developing and implementing the fundraising plans of all major events, provide primary support of the regional event committees, and support the Regional Development Officer with the staffing of Trustees. Strong focus will be placed on recruiting new volunteers to the event committees that will diversify the volunteer base. Candidate will lead the overall development of the event fundraising strategy and where appropriate engage, manage and motivate high-level volunteers and donors, to facilitate their successful participation in achieving assigned revenue goals. In addition to regional responsibilities, this position will have national responsibility for working with other regions on developing and executing a night of fundraising strategy for all regional events.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Develop, implement and assure the success of fundraising plans for reaching special event financial goals of regional events.
• Serve as main point of contact for Events Team on logistics and planning for all  Regional Events
• For all appropriate events - recruit, orient, manage, motivate and steward fundraising committees comprised of high-level community volunteers and corporate leaders.
• Identify and cultivate a deep volunteer pipeline to ensure event leadership is in place a minimum of two years in advance
• Develop an individual donor track and associated cultivation events for regional Youth of the Year
• In coordination with the Regional Development Officer, plan and implement cultivation events appropriate for individual donor prospects to support Region’s individual giving targets.
• Participate in the planning and implementation of BGCA national fundraising activities, especially those within the Region.
• Support the Regional Development Officer with ensuring successful implementation and tracking of Trustee engagement plans.
• Work as a productive member of the Resource Development team and with other departments of the national BGCA staff.
• Perform other fundraising activities as assigned by the Regional Development Officer or National Vice President, Development.
• Demonstrate BGCA mission driven I*CARE values and integrate these beliefs into our environment and ways of work.
• Adhere to organizational policies and procedures as described in BGCA's   Employee Handbook, Ethics Policy and elsewhere.

Education:

Bachelor’s degree or education/experience equivalency.

Experience:  

Minimum of five years of demonstrated successful experience planning and leading significant fundraising events and recruiting and cultivating high level volunteers in a large metropolitan area. Successful track record should include working with high level volunteer Board and committee members to meet fundraising objectives and with planning, managing and initiating solicitations. High-yield committee fundraising experience is essential.  National-level special events experience is preferred. 

Skills:            

Demonstrated ability to work with and motivate committee members and volunteers in resource development efforts; excellent verbal and written communication skills; strong interpersonal skills; knowledge of successful special event fundraising practices; intermediate Microsoft Word, database (Luminate and Access), research and spreadsheet skills; demonstrated understanding and utilization of fundraising techniques to identify, solicit and steward gifts from various donor sources (i.e., individuals, corporations, foundations).

Environment and Working Conditions:

Position based in the Schaumburg, IL office. Travel estimated 30% required (can be 5 days or more in a month - including weekends - depending upon scheduling requirements).  The individual selected for this position must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license and be able to navigate areas of the country by using a map or other direction methods. Ability to travel by subway, car or airplane.

Physical and Mental Requirements:

Position requires the ability to work for prolonged periods of time at high levels of activity, managing multiple tasks with varying deadlines; requires the ability to sit for more than four hours per day, reading, listening, stooping, bending, and manual dexterity skills.