Variety - the Children's Charity of Iowa is dedicated to improving the lives of children who are at-risk, underprivileged, critically ill, or living with special needs. The Events and Public Relations Manager is responsible for planning, organizing, and executing all fundraising and promotional events, as well as managing public relations and media outreach. This role ensures that events and PR efforts align with the organization’s mission and enhance community engagement, donor relations, and brand awareness.

Key Responsibilities:

Event Planning and Execution:

Plan, coordinate, and execute all Central Iowa fundraising events, ensuring smooth operations and successful outcomes while enhancing Variety’s brand and reputation.
Assist with eastern Iowa event committees and young variety event committees, serving as an advisor and assisting with logistics.
Develop event concepts, timelines, and budgets in collaboration with the development and communications team.
Manage venue selection, vendor negotiations, event logistics, and on-site coordination.
Oversee event registration, sponsorship fulfillment, and donor stewardship efforts related to events.
Work closely with volunteers and committees to enhance event planning and execution.
Develop post-event evaluations to assess effectiveness and identify areas for improvement. Calculate ROI on all events.

Public Relations and Media Outreach:

Develop and implement public relations strategies to enhance the organization’s public image and visibility.
Cultivate relationships with media outlets, journalists, and influencers to secure press coverage.
Write and distribute press releases, media advisories, and feature stories highlighting organizational initiatives and events.
Serve as the organization’s media liaison, coordinating interviews and speaking engagements for leadership.
Monitor media coverage and prepare reports on public relations effectiveness.
Write impact stories for Variety’s website

Social Media and Digital Promotion:

Oversee the organization’s social media platforms, developing and scheduling content that promotes events, fundraising efforts, community engagement, and Variety’s impact
Engage with followers, respond to inquiries, and monitor social media trends to enhance outreach efforts.
Collaborate with the marketing team to develop digital promotional campaigns for events and initiatives.
Design and edit engaging graphics and other design material to further the organization's mission
Write and design a monthly/quarterly newsletter using the donor database, Bloomerang

Community Engagement and Partnerships:

Build and maintain relationships with corporate partners, sponsors, and community stakeholders to increase event participation and fundraising success.
Represent the organization at community events, networking opportunities, and media engagements to promote awareness and support.
Develop strategic partnerships that enhance event success and long-term organizational growth.

Administrative and Reporting:

Track event performance metrics, donor participation, and PR coverage to evaluate effectiveness.
Maintain detailed records of event budgets, sponsorships, and media outreach efforts.
Prepare reports and presentations for leadership on event and public relations outcomes.

Qualifications:

Prefered: Bachelor’s degree in Hospitality, Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, Event Management, or a related field. Extensive experience can be substituted for a college degree.
Minimum of 3-5 years of experience in event planning, public relations, or nonprofit fundraising.
Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with experience in media relations.
Ability to build relationships and engage with diverse stakeholder groups.
Proficiency in social media management, event planning tools, digital marketing platforms, and Adobe Creative Suite
Willingness to work evenings and weekends as needed for event execution.

Job Type: Full-time

Benefits:

401(k) matching
Health insurance
Paid time off

Schedule:

Monday to Friday
Weekends as needed

Work Location: In person

Variety - the Children's Charity of Iowa

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Events & Public Relations Manager