Development Strategist, Special Events

TITLE: Development Strategist, Special Events

DEPARTMENT: Development 

REPORTS TO: Senior Vice President, Development

FLSA STATUS: Full-Time; Salaried; Exempt

EEO STATUS: Professional

LAST MODIFIED DATE: July 17, 2025 

GENERAL SUMMARY:

The mission of Ed Snider Youth Hockey & Education is to create opportunities for under-resourced youth of the Greater Philadelphia Region to prosper in life. The intended impact is that participating youth will become Snider student-athletes with age-appropriate social-emotional strengths and skills to succeed and contribute as students, employees, and community members. Ed Snider Youth Hockey & Education seeks a qualified and driven candidate for the position of Development Strategist, Special Events, which will be a full-time position of 40 hours per week.

As an integral part of the Development team, the Development Strategist will be responsible for managing, planning, and executing special events and meetings integral to Ed Snider Youth Hockey & Education’s fundraising and organizational efforts. Events include annual fundraisers such as the Snider Cup tournament series, Bernie Parent Day of Fishing, 3v3 and Chair Hockey Tournaments, Snider Celebrity Pro-Am, NHL Ultimate Fantasy Draft, as well as the Fit to Lead Student-Athlete Conference, donor appreciation events, and ancillary special and internal events. Overall event revenue exceeds $1 million annually, approximately 10 major events per year.

Among other tasks, the Strategist will be responsible for supporting some program events and third-party fundraisers, managing the Snider Alumni Ambassador program, maintaining vendor relationships (new and existing), and working in collaboration with the rest of the Development team to grow and develop donor relations. The position will report to the Senior Vice President, Development, and the Director, Development.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Special Event Planning

• Collaborates with Senior Vice President, Development and Director, Development to manage the timeline, program, and task list for all Ed Snider Youth Hockey & Education fundraising and Development special events.
• Manages booking and contracts with all event vendors, arranges food and beverage, orders all supplies/decorations, coordinates audiovisual equipment & operation, books all entertainment groups, determines photography/video needs, and schedules.
• Leads collaboration with the content team and printing vendor on event collateral concept, graphic design, production, & printing.
• Responsible for event email communications and the creation of digital collateral and resources.
• Supports the creation of event sponsorship packages and leads the solicitation of new and existing sponsorships with the support of the Development team.
• Coordinates event set-up, registration, and attendee check-in, tear down, and follow-up processes, including transportation of event materials to and from event storage unit.
• Manages part-time Special Event employee and Snider staff/volunteers working at each event.
• Records all special events and attendee records into Snider’s CRM System (Salesforce) and analyzes data for continued event program success

Other Key Responsibilities

• Develops and manages a third-party fundraising program to encourage community-led support and serves as a liaison for individuals and groups hosting independent fundraising events.
• Attends and supports certain program events, including student career success visits and programming.
• Launches and leads a structured alumni ambassador program to engage and activate past program participants as organizational champions.
• Recruits, onboards, and supports ambassadors for participation in outreach events.
• Manages inventory of branded swag and printed collateral used for donor engagement and events ongoing throughout the year.
• Work with vendors to source, order, and restock branded materials, ensuring quality, cost-effectiveness, and brand consistency.
• Collects mail and coordinates delivery to the financial team on a bi-weekly basis.
• Travel within the Greater Philadelphia/South Jersey area is necessary. A flexible work schedule and the ability to regularly work nights and weekends is required.
• Perform all other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Qualifications/Requirements:

• Minimum 1-3 years of experience planning events or working in a Development/fundraising role or in areas such as community relations, marketing, communications, and advocacy.
• All candidates must submit a resume and cover letter.
• Self-starter who can work independently as well as in a team.
• Exemplary time management skills with the ability to multi-task and prioritize work.
• Excellent attention to detail and organizational skills.
• Strong communication skills with an emphasis on interpersonal communication.
• Ability to work collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders.
• Advanced computer literacy skills. Moderate experience with Microsoft suite, Canva, and email marketing.
• Experience with Salesforce or a similar CRM system is a plus.
• Ability to interpret and learn from data.
• It is especially important that candidates are comfortable working in fast-paced and high-profile environments.
• Experience with educational or sports-based youth development programs and general knowledge of ice hockey is helpful but not required.
• Successful applicants must be able to pass the PA Child Abuse Clearance, PA State Police Criminal Background Check, and FBI Fingerprint Criminal Background Check.

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS:

The intellectual, social, and physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be navigated by the Postsecondary Preparation Coordinator to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

INTELLECTUAL AND SOCIAL DEMANDS:

While performing the essential functions of this job, the employee is continuously asked to multi-task under time limits. The position requires constant attention to precise details and specified standards, including following simple to complex (more than three steps) instructions, and concentration, which frequently extends beyond 30 minutes at a time.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

While performing the essential functions of the job, the employee will regularly operate a computer and other office devices such as telephones, copy machines, fax machines, etc. Employee will occasionally move about inside the office space to access storage areas, cabinets, and office machinery. Local travel in support of work-related projects is necessary. Position will require occasional pushing, pulling, lifting, and/or moving.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The essential responsibilities of this position are primarily performed indoors, mainly in an office setting, but including regular visits to ice hockey rinks, schools, community centers, and special event sites (indoor/outdoor in the weather conditions prevalent at the time). The noise level in these work environments can range from moderate to loud during events/programs and is minimal during non-event/program times. An option for a remote work environment may be available.

SCHEDULE:

Most work is completed during standard weekday hours with hybrid or remote work flexibility as an option. Some night and/or weekend duties and occasional travel in the Greater Philadelphia area are required.

The statements listed above are intended to describe the general nature of the work being performed. This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications associated with the position.