Associate Director of Events & Sponsorships

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.

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.

Job Overview

The Associate Director of Events & Sponsorship will manage five major fundraising events across California (and one in Nevada), as well as additional smaller events throughout the year. Oversee a robust events program of $3.5 million. 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 of Events & Sponsorship 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. Closely oversee event budgets, working creatively to meet expectations while remaining within budget.

This is a hybrid remote position with two days required in-person at our downtown Los Angeles, CA 90015 office.

Major Event Management

• Manage Corporate Development portfolio of statewide corporate partners in concert with Development Director, Managing Director, and Executive Director.
• 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 securement 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.
• Collaborate with the Executive Team to secure honorees and speakers for events, and work with Development and Communications Directors on programming and script.
• Help secure volunteers and manage the staff and volunteers working at the event.

Work with the 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.

Administrative Responsibilities

• Assist with preparing budgets and providing 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 the database.
• Draft donor, board, and committee correspondence, including letters and emails.
• Point of contact for various event vendors.

Management and Leadership Responsibilities

• Manage Events Manager and Events Associate as well as additional short and long-term consultants, and volunteers
• Ensure direct report/s are properly onboarded, oriented, and understand EQCA’s policies, procedures, and logistics.
• Lead and develop direct reports 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

The above is not an exhaustive list of duties, and you will be expected to perform different tasks as necessitated by your role within the organization and the overall operational needs of the organization.

Required Skills and Abilities

• Experience with event management and logistics, corporate sponsorships, database tracking/gift management, board/donor management, and writing solicitation letters is required.
• At least 3-5 years of event management experience and/or corporate sponsorships required.
• Experience working with non-profits or political organizations required.
• Experience implementing large events (1,000+ guests) required.
• One year of experience managing direct report/s is required, and two or more years managing others is preferred.
• Extreme attention to detail, time management, and multi-tasking ability required.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, as well as excellent interpersonal skills, with a high degree of professionalism required. Proficiency in MS Office Programs, including Excel and Word required.
• Experience in a CRM database, required experience working with EveryAction and/or One Cause is strongly preferred.
• Experience with budget management is strongly preferred.
• 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 communication and updates per their preferences.
• Representing EQCA at community and/or professional activities and events.
• Maintaining professional relationships with local, statewide, and national LGBTQ and allied agencies and collaborators.
• Reliable transportation with the ability to travel frequently to major markets throughout California and Nevada is required.
• A bachelor’s degree is required.

Travel

This role requires travel and overnight stays for events in California and Nevada. Some driving for business may be required. This position will be expected to travel at least 25% of the time. You must possess a valid driver's license and personal auto insurance coverage.

Union Representation. We recognize the Communications Workers of America (CWA) as your role's exclusive collective bargaining representative.

To apply:

Please email your resume to hr@eqca.org