Associate Director of Events & Sponsorships

Position: Associate Director of Donor Relations

Salary: Commensurate with Experience

Type: Full-Time, Salaried Exempt

Location: Los Angeles

Start: As soon as possible

Closing date of this position: Open until filled

Reports to: Director of Development

Direct Reports: Events Associate

Equality California is the nation’s largest statewide lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer+ (LGBTQ+) civil rights organization with over 900,000 members. Equality California brings the voices of LGBTQ+ people and allies to institutions of power in California and across the United States, striving to create a world that is healthy, just, and fully equal for all LGBTQ+ people. We advance civil rights and social justice by inspiring, advocating, and mobilizing through an inclusive movement that works tirelessly on behalf of those we serve. For more than 20 years, Equality California has been fighting for full, lived LGBTQ+ equality in a number of ways: electing pro-equality leaders up and down the ballot; passing pro-equality legislation in California, Nevada and Washington, DC; and fighting for LGBTQ+ civil rights and social justice in the courtroom. For the purpose of this job description, “Equality California” is used as an umbrella term for Equality California and its sister organization, Equality California Institute.

Equality California Institute is a 501(c)(3) organization that has a parallel mission to Equality California, its 501(c)(4) counterpart. Equality California Institute works to achieve full, lived LGBTQ+ equality by reducing disparities in LGBTQ+ health and well-being, developing a pipeline of LGBTQ+ leaders and increasing civic participation within the LGBTQ+ community.

Position Overview:

Equality California seeks a full-time Associate Director of Events & Sponsorships to oversee a robust events program of $3.5 million. The Associate Director will manage five major fundraising events across California (and one in Nevada), as well as additional smaller events throughout the year. Management of events includes working with external event producers to manage the logistics, budget, and program, and working both independently and with the Development Director to research, cultivate, acquire (via direct solicitation), and renew corporate event sponsorships ranging from $5,000 to $100,000+. The Associate Director will pay special attention to the cultivation and management of members of our six event host committees working to engage individuals with the capacity, networks, and passion to advance the Equality California mission. The Associate Director will closely oversee event budgets working creatively to meet expectations while remaining in budget.

The Associate Director’s responsibilities include traveling around the state of California and Nevada regularly to produce events and build board and host committee relationships. Experience with event management and logistics, corporate sponsorships, database tracking/gift management, board/donor management, and in writing solicitation letters is required. The Associate Director of Events & Sponsorships manages a full-time Events Associate as well as long and short-term events consultants/ producers, and volunteers at events, and reports to the Director of Development. This is a full-time, salaried exempt position with the ideal candidate being based in Los Angeles (home to Equality California’s headquarters). Qualified candidates outside of the Los Angeles area are also encouraged to apply with the potential for relocation support.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Major event management:
  • Serve as the lead for event planning, revenue generation, sponsorships, logistics management and production for six Equality Awards galas each year (500-1,200 guests each), plus additional smaller events (e.g. Pride events, major donor and cultivation events) as scheduled.
  • Work collaboratively with the Development Director and team members to exceed revenue goals for each event.
  • Create event sponsorship packages and help lead the solicitation and securing of sponsorships, as well as the further cultivation and renewal of those sponsors with the goal of upgrading future support and converting into non-event donors.
  • Work with Development Director to recruit host committee members and manage committees and meetings to drive revenue for each event.
  • Collaborate with the Executive Team to secure honorees and speakers for events, and work with Development and Communications Directors on program and script.
  • Help secure volunteers and manage the staff and volunteers working at the event.
  • Work with external production team to:
    • Create and manage timeline, task list, budget, creative, and event programs.
    • Negotiate vendor costs and services, secure event spaces, arrange food and beverage, order supplies, coordinate with event planner and production vendors.
    • Create/revise room layouts and seating arrangements for each event.
    • Manage on-site production.
• Additional administrative responsibilities:
  • Assist with preparing budgets and provide regular progress reports to leadership.
  • Track event finances including check requests, invoicing, and collections.
  • Coordinate appointments and visits as needed, and schedule events on the internal team’s calendar.
  • Prepare and modify event contracts as requested.
  • Provide high level support to staff on fundraising issues.
  • Prepare call lists for the Development Director & Executive Director, and update donor database with results.
  • Oversee the management and accurate record-keeping of donor files in database.
  • Draft donor, board and committee correspondence including letters and emails.
  • Point of contact for various events vendors.
• Management responsibilities:
  • Manage Events Associate as well as additional short and long-term consultants, and volunteers.
  • Ensure direct report/s are properly onboarded, oriented and understand Equality California’s policies, procedures and logistics.
  • Lead and develop direct report/s to ensure professional growth. Support a culture of performance management and coaching and provide ongoing timely and direct feedback about performance, including addressing any performance issues quickly and directly to ensure improved performance.
  • Build and sustain a staff community that encourages understanding and implementation of organizational values, respect, collaboration teamwork and healthy conflict resolution.
  • Ensure any legal and/or human resources issues are addressed promptly and proactively.
• Representing Equality California: The ideal candidate will work hard to foster a positive, professional public image for Equality California, which includes:
  • Ensuring that all event contacts receive appropriate regular communications and updates in accordance with their preferences.
  • Representing Equality California at community and/or professional activities and events.
  • Maintaining professional relationships with local, statewide and national LGBTQ+ and allied agencies and collaborators.
• Additional duties as assigned

Qualifications:

Applicants for this position should bring the following knowledge, abilities, and attitude:

1. At least 3-5 years of event management experience and/or corporate sponsorships required
2. Experience working with non-profits or political organizations required
3. Experience implementing large events (1,000+ guests) required
4. At least one year of experience managing direct report/s is required and two or more years managing others is preferred
5. Extreme attention to detail, time management, and multi-tasking ability required
6. Excellent written and verbal communication skills, as well as excellent interpersonal skills with a high degree of professionalism required
7. Proficiency in MS Office Programs including Excel and Word required
8. Experience in a CRM database required; experience working with EveryAction and/or OneCause strongly preferred
9. Experience with budget management strongly preferred
10. Reliable transportation with the ability to travel frequently to major markets throughout California and Nevada is required. This position will be expected to travel at least 25% of the time.

Salary commensurate with experience. Compensation package includes competitive benefits (healthcare, dental, vision, long/short term disability, life insurance, and 401K). This full-time exempt position will require a flexible schedule including evening and weekend work time, as well as regular travel across California and Nevada. Applicants will be reimbursed for mileage and must have a reliable vehicle and be able to drive in California.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, all Equality California staff are currently working remotely. In compliance with the state and local guidance, all Equality California staff located in the Los Angeles County area will safely return to the office with advanced notice from organizational leadership. The Associate Director of Events & Sponsorships will be required to work from the Equality California headquarters located in Los Angeles once a return date is finalized.

Equality California is an equal employment opportunity employer. Equality California does not make employment decisions or discriminate based on protected characteristics including, but not limited to, race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, marital status, sex, gender (including gender identity and/or gender expression), sexual orientation, age, physical or mental handicaps, veteran status, or genetic information as prescribed by applicable local, state, and federal law. We strongly encourage diverse candidates to apply, including, but not limited to, women, people of color, people of diverse gender identities, and non-LGBTQ+ allies.

Qualified Applicants with Criminal Histories will be considered for employment in a manner consistent with the requirements of the California Consumer Reporting Agencies Act and Los Angeles’s Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance.

To apply: Email resume (including names and contact information of 3 references), cover letter, and two writing samples to jobs@eqca.org. Please be sure to put “Associate Director of Events & Sponsorships” in the subject line of your email.

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