Manager, Special Events

Company Overview:

Special Olympics Louisiana transforms lives through the joy of sport, every day, everywhere. We are part of the world’s largest organization for people with intellectual disabilities: with millions of athletes in countries across the world and millions more volunteers and supporters. We are also a global and social movement. Through the power of sports, people with intellectual disabilities discover new strengths and abilities, skills, and success. Our athletes find joy, confidence, and fulfillment on the playing field and in life. They also inspire people in their communities and elsewhere to open their hearts to a wider world of human talents and potential. The mission of Special Olympics Louisiana is to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy, and participate in the sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes, and the community. Our vision is to promote acceptance, inclusion, and well-being for people with intellectual disabilities through sports.

Position Summary:

The Manager, Special Events will support Special Olympics Louisiana’s Special Events and partnership with Law Enforcement through the Law Enforcement Torch Run which generates revenue and public awareness for the mission and programs of SOLA. This position relies heavily on the manager’s ability to build relationships, and coordinate logistics and details to successfully plan and execute events.  Knowledge of or prior experience working with planning special events and/or law enforcement agencies is highly preferred.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities:

• Plan, develop, manage, and implement Special Olympics Louisiana and Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) fundraising events, including but not limited to Guardian Bowl, Pickleball/Tennis Tournament, Breakfast with Champions, Torch Runs, Run with the Law, Polar Plunge, Tip-A-Cop and others
• Provide leadership, direction, and support to the LETR program
• Identify, cultivate, and secure new corporate sponsors for Special Events
• Meet or exceed established revenue and event goals for Special Olympics Louisiana and LETR events
• Serve as main solicitor for key donors as well as forge new relationships to build LETR and Special Olympics Louisiana’s visibility, impact, and financial resources
• Research, create and conduct presentations, as well as distribute e-communications, to a variety of internal and external groups for the purpose of educating groups about Special Olympics Louisiana and/or LETR, recruiting volunteers and new LETR departments, soliciting sponsors, conducting outreach initiatives and other assigned purposes
• Coordinate and manage various logistics for statewide Special Events and LETR events
• Recruit, motivate and manage LETR volunteers; develop and nurture relationships with statewide law enforcement representatives including reviewing LETR event requests to ensure compliance with SOLA and Torch Run branding guidelines
• Provide content for LETR’s social media channels to promote awareness and the LETR brand as well as helping grow followers and supporters (Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram)
• Oversee fulfillment of LETR merchandise and incentives
• Deliver high-quality customer service to internal and external partners

Required Skills:

• Leadership – The capacity for leading and managing a diverse group of people; Fosters a high-performance culture characterized by service leadership, collaboration and transparency that will result in strong team morale, effective talent utilization, and partnership across functional areas of the organization
• Communication - Effectively listens to and understands others; clearly conveys one’s thoughts and ideas.  Ability to collaborate with teams and define personal roles and responsibilities, which includes the ability to extrapolate plans and create results through critical thinking and exercising sound judgment
• Change Management – Develops workable implementation plans; Communicates changes effectively; Builds commitment and overcomes resistance; Prepares and supports those affected by change; Monitors transition and evaluates results
• Capacity Building – The ability to effectively build organization and staff capacity, developing a high-performing workforce (staff and volunteers) and the processes that ensure SOLA operates effectively and efficiently
• Results Oriented – Relentlessly pursues improvement and results; Creates a culture of mutual accountability
• Ethics/values – Works by SOLA’s core values and constructively challenges direct reports to practice SOLA’s core values
• Integrity/Trust – Maintains the confidentiality of SOLA’s financial and corporate data
• Planning/Organizing – Prioritizes and plans work activities; Uses time efficiently; Plans for additional resources; Sets goals and objectives; Organizes or schedules other people and their tasks; Develops realistic action plans
• Responsibility and Accountability – Takes personal responsibility and ownership for adhering to all company policies and procedures while also completing work timely and in accordance with performance expectations; holds direct reports accountable for agreed-to actions, sets priorities and milestones, assigns realistic time frames

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university is required.
• Minimum of 3 years of nonprofit, fundraising and/or sales experience

• Prior working experience with law enforcement agencies highly preferred

• Excellent oral and written communication skills, and public speaking skills

• Demonstrated success in fundraising and nonprofit leadership

• Proven record of success in account management and developing corporate partnerships that result in exceeding revenue targets
• Knowledge of product marketing/sales concepts
• Outcome-driven, with the ability to respond to changing circumstances and priorities
• Ability to manage and motivate groups and individuals

• Excellent organizational skills, ability to multi-task effectively
• Excellent problem-solving skills
• Ability to work with diverse personalities and lead by example
• Demonstrated ability to motivate and manage employees and volunteers
• Ability to build effective relationships with a variety of people
• Willingness to travel and to work evenings and weekends to meet job requirements
• Knowledge of CRM fundraising software
• Proficient in the use of Adobe Creative software
• Have a valid Louisiana driver’s license and meet minimum Louisiana vehicle insurance requirements with a stable driving record for auto insurance eligibility
• Must be able and willing to travel 30 to 40% throughout the State of Louisiana and promoting SOLA

Physical Requirements:

• Physical Activity Level: Sedentary physical activity performing non-strenuous daily activities of an administrative nature
• Physical Demands: Able to lift, carry pull, or move objects up to 25lbs in weight, Substantial movements (motion) of the wrist, hands, and/or fingers in a repetitive manner

Work Environment and Schedule:

• Climate-controlled office environment at the SOLA state office location
• Full-time position
• Typical schedule is Monday through Friday with regular working hours; Available to work outside business hours when necessary
• The position can be performed virtually in a telework arrangement as needed with approval from the President/CEO of SOLA
• This job requires routine driving to attend and support various program events throughout Louisiana, all year round