Events & Outreach Manager

Job Title: Events & Outreach Manager

Department: Development

FLSA Status: Exempt (salary = $50,000 annually)

Reports to: Development Director

Based at: Administration (909 East North Avenue, Milwaukee)

Driver Status: Personal vehicle (must have reliable transportation & proof of insurance and is expected to self-transport to all sites and community-based meetings/trainings)

Mission: COA Youth & Family Centers nurtures children, supports families, and builds strong and resilient communities – one child, one family, one community at a time.

Mission Impact:

The Events & Outreach Manager will lead the planning, coordination, and execution of all fundraising and community engagement events for COA Youth & Family Centers, including our signature Annual Night with the Stars Gala. This role is responsible for creating meaningful event experiences, stewarding donors through timely acknowledgments, processing both financial and in-kind donations, and representing the organization at external community events.

As an integral member of the Development Team, the Events & Outreach Manager will also support the planning and implementation of the annual Development strategy, which includes donor cultivation, fundraising appeals, and hosting corporate volunteer groups. This is a full-time, year-round position that is eligible for benefits.

Benefits include generous paid time off, health plans (medical, dental, vision), life insurance, Employee Assistance Program, 403(b) retirement plan, 11 paid holidays, and a great working environment.

Impact Areas

Event Planning & Execution

• Plan, manage, and execute all organizational events, including the Annual Night with the Stars Gala. Lead the Gala committee by preparing meeting agendas and materials, providing status updates, and assisting with event sponsorship, table sponsorship, and auction solicitation.
• Develop event timelines, budgets, and logistics plans; manage vendor relationships, sponsorships, and contracts.
• Lead event promotion in coordination with the communications team.
• Collaborate with staff, board members, and volunteers to design and launch new fundraising events that align with our mission and revenue goals.

Donor Engagement & Gift Processing

• Ensure accurate and timely processing of financial and in-kind donations in accordance with internal procedures. Coordinate the solicitation, delivery/pick up, and dissemination of in-kind contributions.
• Produce prompt, personalized donor acknowledgments and tax receipts.
• Collaborate with development staff to track donor engagement and support stewardship efforts post-events.

Community Outreach & Representation

• Represent COA at community events, fairs, and partner events to raise awareness of COA’s programs and cultivate new supporters.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with local partners, businesses, and stakeholders to grow outreach opportunities.

Volunteer Coordination Support

• Serve as the lead host for corporate volunteer groups, ensuring a meaningful and mission-aligned experience.
• Coordinate logistics for volunteer involvement in events and outreach activities.
• Support the recruitment and training of volunteers for event staffing and community initiatives.

Qualifications

Education/Knowledge/Experience 

• Associate’s Degree in a relevant field required.
• Bachelor’s Degree in a relevant field preferred.
• Minimum 3-5 years of nonprofit event management experience required.
• Proven knowledge of nonprofit development and philanthropy preferred.
• Experience managing complex gala fundraising events required.
• Experience with donor database management required.
• Experience working collaboratively with a diverse population preferred.

• High proficiency in Microsoft Office suite, required. Experience with Google Drive suite preferred.

Skills/Personal Qualities/Attitude

• Embody COA Values with a passion for serving others
• Prioritize communication and collaboration within Development Team, while also taking initiative to work independently on your responsibilities and other assigned duties.
• Effectively engage interpersonally to develop strong working relationships. Embrace cultural competency and respect for diversity of all types.
• Demonstrate excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrate excellent organizational skills and strong attention to detail.

Physical Requirements / Working Conditions

The physical requirements for this position are the ability to:

• Climb stairs
• Sit and stand for long periods of time
• Work with and in front of a computer for extended periods of time

The work environment is mainly a collaborative office environment. This position also requires minimal evening and weekend work.

These characteristics described are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential job functions. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.

The above is intended to describe the general content and requirements of this job. It is not meant to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities, or requirements. Additional duties may be assigned.