The Engagement & Events Specialist will play a key role in supporting the planning and execution of Saving Innocence events. They will support the annual gala event for the first 4 months of the year. Along with the Development team, this position is responsible for creating a memorable and engaging experience for attendees, sponsors, and stakeholders, ensuring the success of our gala through strategic communication and relationship-building efforts.

Throughout the year this role is also responsible for supporting engagement initiatives, planning events to celebrate clients, working with volunteers, and fostering partnerships. They will proactively plan events and engagement opportunities in coordination with the assigned point of contact within departments. This person brings experience in handling a wide range of administrative, relational, and event-related tasks. They will work independently with little or no supervision at times. This person will be exceedingly well-organized and flexible and enjoys the administrative challenges of supporting a diverse group of people.

Position Status: Full-time/Non-Exempt, 40 hours per week

Office Schedule: Hybrid, Work from home/3 times a week in the office or more as needed

Reporting to: Leila Yavari, Director of Development

Responsibilities:

Annual Gala

• Support the Development Department with the strategy, planning and execution of the annual Gala event for 500+ guests from December-May.

• Attendee Engagement:
  • Support attendee engagement before, during, and after the gala.
  • Coordinate and execute pre-event communication to build excitement and anticipation among attendees.
  • Facilitate attendee Rsvps and meal preferences accurately in the Give Smart Platform.
• Corporate Sponsor and Stakeholder Relations:
  • Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with corporate sponsors and key stakeholders.
  • Work closely with the sponsorship team to fulfill sponsor expectations and provide a high level of service.
  • Coordinate sponsor-specific engagement opportunities to showcase their support and contributions, through working with internal and external communications team members.

• Silent Auction Support:
  • Oversee the planning and execution of the silent auction, including item procurement, display, bidding processes and follow up to include shipping and communicating updates to bidders.
  • Collaborate with the procurement team to secure high-value and appealing auction items.
  • Promote the silent auction to maximize participation and fundraising opportunities.
  • Ensure the bidding platform is regularly updated with accurate item descriptions and photos.

• Collaboration with Public Relations:
  • Work closely with the PR team to develop and execute a comprehensive media relations strategy.
  • Provide PR team with key information, story angles, and updates to maximize media coverage leading up to and during the gala.
  • Ensure media is shared with donors and sponsors in a timely manner, following the event.
  • Assist in organizing media interactions, interviews, and press conferences as needed.

Events

• Support with the planning and execution of year-round client events and external events for Direct Service, FFA and Development teams.

• Oversee the coordination of all client-related celebrations, including liaising with volunteers (quarterly baby showers & birthday parties, annual graduation celebration and holiday open house. Additional events may be added based on capacity and team needs.
• Collaborate with the administrative team to plan all logistics for staff events: venue, food, activities, gifts/swag, and technology.
• Ensure that a strength-based and trauma-responsive approach is consistently applied, prioritizing their emotional safety and well-being
• Ensure compliance with relevant regulations and policies in all engagement activities.
• Oversee management of budget and gift card tracking for events per contract and work.
• Reconciliation of event receipts to submit expense reports, in a timely manner.
• Collaborate with the administrative team to support the inventory of materials needed for events.
• Ensure adherence to contract compliance and internal controls in the responsible handling of financial transactions, credit cards, gift cards, and related assets.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of client interactions and engagement activities.
• Enter billable activities into systems, including but not limited to Salesforce and spreadsheets.

Community Engagement:

• Connect and foster relationships with existing community partners for engagement opportunities, including volunteering and in-kind donations.
• Create additional partnerships within the community to support the in-kind needs for client-facing teams.
• Thank and care for community partnerships to ensure longevity.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to align engagement activities with overall organizational goals.
• Other duties as assigned.

Education, Training and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Communications, Event Management, or related field preferred.
• Proven experience in event planning, engagement strategies, or related roles.

Required Skills:

• Excellent time management skills and ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously while maintaining a strong attention to detail.
• Comfortable working independently and contributing to a dynamic and collaborative team.
• Flexibility in meeting deadlines and adjusting to changing priorities.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills with a strong ability to navigate cultural differences.
• Strong organizational and planning skills, required.
• Ability to create efficient event processes.
• Excellent computer skills including Microsoft Office Suite (proficiency in Excel is highly preferred), Google Suite, macOS operating systems, as Saving Innocence operates on Apple devices.
• CRM experience, preferable. Ability to learn other pertinent platforms.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced and growing environment in a shared office space.
• Professional in appearance, demeanor, and service.

Additional requirements:

• The team member must have a registered vehicle that they are insured to drive.
• A California driver’s license.
• All employees are screened through a thorough background check process.
• Positions with financial responsibility will also undergo a credit check.

BENEFITS

We care about our employees and we show it through the benefits we offer. Check them out!

• Paid Vacation: 10 days of paid vacation to be accrued at a rate of 3.34 hours per pay period. Vacation time will accrue beginning on the first day of employment, for use after the first 90 days. Vacation benefits increase after one year of full time employment to 5 hours per pay period and 6.67 hours per pay period after two years of full time employment, until a maximum of 20 days of paid vacation is accrued annually.
• Paid Sick Leave: 6 days of Paid Sick Leave per calendar year
• Holiday Pay: (10 days annually observed as follows) New Year’s Day, MLK Jr. Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Day After Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day
• Health Insurance: Health insurance coverage meeting ACA requirements with 90% of your coverage paid for by Saving Innocence; this will be available on the first day of the month following 60 days of full-time employment. SI also offers employer sponsored voluntary dental & vision plans.
• Retirement: Saving Innocence offers a 401(k) match of 100% of the employee’s 401(k) contributions up to 5% of their annual gross compensation. This means that for every $1, Saving Innocence will match $1 to your account up to 5% of the eligible pay. Vesting is immediate for employee deferrals. Employer contributions are subject to a 5-year vesting schedule. Employees are eligible to join the plan after 3 months of employment.
• Maternity/Paternity Leave Wage Replacement: up to 8 weeks, coordinating with EDD

Additional Benefits:

• • Monthly Childcare Reimbursement: up to $200
  • Cell Phone or Reimbursement: Company iPhone to be used for all business-related communication during employment or monthly reimbursement of up to $50, for use of your personal cell phone
  • Internet Reimbursement: up to $50, monthly
  • Counseling Benefit: Up to 4 hours per month of paid time while attending counseling (voluntary) and up to 50% reimbursement of counseling fees
  • Jury Duty: 5 paid working days, annually, if called to Jury Duty
  • Laptop: Company laptop to be used for all required work during employment
  • Mileage Reimbursement: for all required miles traveled in your personal vehicle

• Saving Innocence/Hope Dealer Merchandise

• The opportunity to work with a passionate and caring team AND MORE!