Alumni and Advancement Events Manager

Job Description

Bishop Ireton High School is currently seeking a full-time Alumni and Advancement Events Manager beginning immediately. The Alumni and Advancement Events Manager will report to the Advancement Director and the Head of School. This position involves the development, design, planning and organizing of Bishop Ireton Alumni and Advancement event activities. These events occur both off-and on-site, and the responsibilities include the management of logistics such as facilities, invitations, donor/visitor management activities, caterers, vendors and travel logistics. Responsibilities require collaboration with the communications department, the facility maintenance staff, the technology department, various alumni groups and any department involved in support of these activities.

This role has outward facing duties, as the Events Manager engages with alumni, families and friends of Bishop Ireton. The Event Manager must be able to navigate not only the logistical requirements of event planning (and working with event vendors), but must also exhibit finesse and flexibility in working with our alumni and families, who are also our valued donor base.

This is a full time position at 35-40 hours per week, 12 months per year.

Responsibilities
• Works with the Head of School and the Advancement Team members to conceptualize events and discuss all details regarding event planning; demonstrating good judgment and discrimination in making decisions and managing the events which affect the school as a whole, while staying in accordance with BI policies.
• Implements a wide range of specialized activities per the annual advancement calendar, including alumni engagement, fundraising-oriented events (including the school's annual Gala), and other scheduled events.
• Plans, organizes, and identifies event locations and vendors; works with the Advancement department regarding logistics, guest lists, site selection, vendors, event goals and objectives, etc.
• Prepares and executes detailed event planning timelines and task lists to effectively track progress of the event.
• Assists the Head of School and Advancement team to promote events to targeted audiences. Oversees the completion of design and drafting of digital and physical invitations and other collateral. Collaborates to finalize guest lists; handles RSVPs; and works with the Communications office to engage media as necessary.
• Utilizes expertise in technology (online communications, social media, software applications, etc.) to advance planning and programming needs.
• Administers facilities and space logistics and manages equipment needs.
• Determines and coordinates staffing needs for individual events, reaching out to other staff and volunteers, and leveraging collegial relationships when necessary.
• Coordinates with the Head of School and the Advancement office on event budgets. Oversees financial processes that may include coordinating purchase orders and other business services functions as required.
• Contributes to and participates in long-range unit event planning. Works with the Head of School and Advancement team to strategize event programming for the year; makes recommendations on event and alumni engagement opportunities.
• Ensures smooth-running, effective events, including successfully recognizing and resolving potential and real problems in a timely manner using tact, sensitivity and discretion.

Required Qualifications
• Thorough knowledge and understanding of concepts, principles and practices of event planning and public relations, including event design, organization and production.
• Thorough knowledge of the Bishop Ireton campus, its vision, mission, programs and policies.
• Skill in effectively meeting budget and time constraints.
• Demonstrated organizational and project management skills to work successfully with clients to produce high quality events; and, for fundraising events, skills to provide excellent donor stewardship.
• Professional experience in the event management field, CMP certification preferred.
• Advanced knowledge of key software applications used by the school, including Microsoft Office Suite, and experience with database applications. Raiser's Edge experience preferred.
• Highly developed interpersonal communication skills.
• Solid verbal and written communication skills.
• Solid project management skills. Strong skills in short-term planning, analysis and problem-solving, customer service and marketing.

Candidates must be willing to undergo a background check and take required in-person Virtus training.

How to Apply
Please submit your cover letter (with an explanation on your interest in working in Catholic education), contact information for 3 professional references, and your resume to tina.becker@bishopireton.org.

About the Employer

Bishop Ireton, a Catholic, co-educational, college preparatory high school in historic Alexandria, Virginia, began its proud heritage of academic excellence in 1964. The school offers a challenging environment and outstanding quality of life, both in academics and co-curricular activities, with a three-tiered focus on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics), humanities and fine arts. The spirit of community service and giving back is central to the school's mission. Bishop Ireton's quality is reflected in its distinguished faculty and staff, who take great pride in seeing every graduate head to college - often to the most prestigious universities and service academies.