Events and Communications Manager

City Year Detroit’s Events and Communications Manager is responsible for the strategy, operations, and execution of critical engagements throughout the year. Reporting directly to the Managing Director of Development and an integral part of the Development team, this position will lead all aspects of event production and communication strategies for internal and external audiences with the goal of increasing funding for City Year’s programs. This is a hybrid position that requires working in person from our Detroit office three days per week.

Responsibilities

Event Design and Execution 

• Develops and manages a comprehensive events calendar commensurate with City Year Detroit’s benchmarks and milestones throughout the year, including national and local events and external partnerships 
• Creates all fundraising event materials including sponsorship packets, solicitation language, and historical sponsor list with contact information. 
• Manages the entire process for event sponsorship solicitations, including tracking which staff member or committee member is contacting a prospect, the stage of the ask, and the outcome. 
• Manages all volunteer committee meeting logistics  
• Designs and scripts all event programs including fundraising, non-fundraising, service and site-specific recruitment events. 
• Creates all event collateral including invitations, event signage, talking points, thank you notes, etc.  
• Secures necessary vendors, obtain quotes, secure contracts, and monitor vendor performance to ensure City Year receives exceptional service and value 
• Develops staffing plans and trains AmeriCorps members, staff, and volunteers on roles as necessary 
• Creates event budgets and track expenses 
• Create and maintain all pertinent event documents, including sponsorship solicitation lists, RSVP lists, run of show, host committee agendas, speaker briefings, etc. 
• Ensure all sponsor and donor deliverables for recognition are met 
• Manage e-mail and direct mail communication around the event 
• Collects feedback from site leadership, staff, volunteer committees, vendors, and others to evaluate effectiveness of events 

Storytelling and Marketing Communications 

• Lead and help ensure site-wide implementation of City Year messaging with a focus on asset-framed storytelling and systemic inequities  
• Identify and collect content that demonstrates the work of City Year AmeriCorps members with students, their impact on school climate, the successes they help students achieve in partnership with teachers, and their plans after City Year  
• Create and manage a site database of story leads along with necessary permissions to capture and distribute stories  
• Manage content calendar  
• Collaborate with the Managing Director of Development in the creation of a donor engagement activities for high-level individual donors ($10k+) 
• Write, edit, and design website content, donor impact reports, newsletter content, site collateral, social media posts, blogs, and any other unique communication initiatives, and collaborate with the Development Coordinator in the publishing/distribution of materials 
• Partner with national Marketing/Communications staff to produce a suite of marketing materials and tools to support current and prospective local needs  
• Identify PR opportunities to share City Year’s message and increase awareness of our brand in the Detroit community  
• Successful management of the City Year Detroit brand by way of consistency in voice and tone, quality and timeliness of content  

Qualifications

Research shows that while men apply to jobs when they meet an average of 60% of the criteria, women and other marginalized folks tend to only apply when they check every box. So if you think you have what it takes, but don't necessarily meet every single point on the job description, please still apply. We'd love to see if you could be a great addition to our team. 

• 3+ years of experience in communications, events, marketing, and/or public relations field  
• Bachelor’s degree preferred; concentration in public relations, communications, marketing or related field ideal  
• Exceptional writing, editing and storytelling ability 
• Must have excellent time management skills, ability to thrive in deadline-driven position, and to prioritize multiple projects with high attention to detail 
• Social media execution experience (Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, blog writing)  
• Proficiency with Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign and Photoshop) preferred 
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to communicate with diverse audiences  
• Ability to think and operate both strategically and creatively 
• Demonstrate a willingness to work independently and be a strong and collaborative team member 
• Passion for education and youth development 
• Ability to thrive in diverse, youthful, high energy, entrepreneurial, fast-changing environment 

COVID-19 Notice   

Our number one priority is the health and safety of our employees and AmeriCorps members and their families; our students and school partners; and the community at large from COVID-19. Proof of COVID-19 vaccination is required for employment and service – all staff members, including remote staff, and AmeriCorps members are required to be fully vaccinated* no later than their start date. If you are unable to be vaccinated for medical reasons or sincerely-held religious beliefs, we will consider requests for reasonable accommodation consistent with our policy, and where we are able to provide such accommodations without undue hardship to the organization pursuant to applicable law. Notwithstanding any language herein, City Year will comply with any state, local, or federal orders, statutes, or regulations that may conflict with the COVID-19 vaccination policy.  

*Individuals are considered fully vaccinated 14 days after receiving the second dose of a two-dose vaccine (Pfizer or Moderna) or one dose of a single-dose vaccination (Johnson & Johnson).