Coordinator, Events

What started as a small group of families gathered around a kitchen table in 1979 has blossomed into the nation’s leading voice on mental health. The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) is the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness.

Today, we are an alliance of hundreds of local affiliates, state organizations and a national office that work in communities across the United States to raise awareness and provide support and education that was not previously available to those in need. NAMI advocates for all who are affected by mental illness, both the individuals and the people in their lives. We work to address disparities and injustices and to promote dignity and inclusion for all people with mental illness and their families. In addition to being advocates, we educate, we listen, and we lead as evidenced by our public awareness campaigns, the range of programs we provide, and our strong public policy.

We currently have an opening for a Coordinator, Events. The Coordinator will play a key role in planning and carrying out NAMI National events by taking ownership of the administrative and logistical details that make events successful, from coordinating schedules and communications to supporting speakers, sponsors, exhibitors, and attendees. Working closely with the Director of Events and Events Manager, the Coordinator will help ensure every event reflects NAMI’s standards of quality and delivers a positive experience for all participants.

This full-time position is based in our Arlington VA office, and this position requires the person to be in-office 2-3 days a week.

Salary Range: $24/hr. - $26/hr. ($46,800 - $50,700)

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Your role will include a wide range of responsibilities, such as:

• Registration & Attendee Support – Manage registration systems, respond to attendee questions, process requests in line with event policies, and provide on-site support.
• Program & Speaker Coordination – Communicate with speakers and presenters, gather materials, support program development, and ensure compliance and logistics are in place.
• Sponsor & Exhibitor Support – Assist with sponsor and exhibitor needs, booth assignments, deliverables, and fulfillment of agreements.
• Volunteer Coordination – Support recruitment, training, scheduling, and management of event volunteers and temporary staff.
• Supplies & Materials Management – Track and maintain inventory of event supplies (such as signage, name badges, swag, and promotional materials), and coordinate shipping and distribution.
• Vendor & Partner Liaison – Work with vendors and service providers (ex. printers, caterers, suppliers) to meet event needs.
• Event Logistics – Help prepare agendas, coordinate meetings, monitor deadlines, and ensure smooth execution of on-site logistics, including set-up, room management, and guest services.
• Communication & Issue Management – Serve as a point of contact for attendees, vendors, and partners during events, and assist with updates, notifications, and troubleshooting.
• Post-Event Support – Assist with evaluations, reporting, reimbursements, and thank-you communications.
• Other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• 1-2 years of proven experience in event coordination and planning, especially for large conventions or conferences, from start to finish.
• Strong organizational and multitasking skills with the ability to juggle many different events and projects at the same time.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal abilities with ability to work in an extremely collaborative manner.
• Proficiency in event management and project management software and tools (examples include Asana, CVENT, etc.)
• Problem-solving skills and ability to handle high-pressure situations.
• Attention to detail and a focus on delivering a memorable event experience.
• Proactive and highly-motivated, with a self-starter and growth mindset
• Passionate about mental health and NAMI’s mission to reduce stigma and provide support for individuals and families affected by mental illness.
• Bachelor’s degree preferred, preferably in event management or hospitality
• Must pass background check

NAMI is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workforce. NAMI prohibits discrimination and harassment against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, marital status, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, genetic information or any other legally protected group status. We also provide reasonable accommodation for candidates with disability.

Your salary is only one component of the total compensation package. NAMI offers a range of standard and unique benefits that are reviewed annually:

• Generous and comprehensive Health, Dental, and Vision Plans
• Paid Time Off: Vacation, Personal, and Sick Leave
• Paid Parental Leave
• 403(b) retirement plan
• Flexible Spending Accounts for health care, dependent care and commuter expenses
• Life Insurance and Disability coverage paid by NAMI
• Flexible Work and Telework programs
• Professional Development Reimbursement program
• A variety of wellness offerings to support team members
• Employee Referral Program
• The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) which provides support for personal and family problems common in contemporary life