We’re hiring: Events and Business Partnerships Manager

Are you an extrovert who loves bringing people together through a fantastic event? Do you thrive when problem solving, relish running an impeccably organized process, and like a mix of desk and on-your-feet  work? Do you want a job where you’ll be connecting people and businesses to a cause? 

The Washington Area Bicyclist Association  is hiring an Events & Partnerships Manager to organize our Signature Events and connect with regional business for sponsorship and partnership, to raise a combined $150,000+/year. 

TEAM

The Events and Partnerships Manager  is a member of WABA’s Development and Communications Team. Our team’s job is to connect people to the work that’s most relevant to them, building our community of donors and advocates to strengthen and sustain WABA for the long-term.  That means:

• Fundraising, including growing and sustaining our donor base of 7,000+ people giving between $1 and $100,000 annually; building  business and corporate partnership programs and relationships; and growing a foundations portfolio. 
• Working closely with staff across the organization to tell the story of their work in a way that moves donors to invest in our mission.
• Ensuring that actionable, relevant content gets to members, supporters, the press, and the public.
• Facilitating welcoming community events that take place both on and off bicycles and welcome and inspire members and supporters to join as participants and volunteers. 

This position reports to the Development Director and is on a team with the Communications Director, Development and Membership Manager, Database Manager, and Communications Coordinator.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES 

The Events & Partnership Manager plans, organizes, and implements three high-quality fundraising events annually, with up to 800  attendees, to meet a revenue goal of $100,000. The events portfolio includes:

• Coordinating all event logistics

• Driving event registration in collaboration with the Communications team, which includes drafting clear, concise, and exciting content. 
• Ensuring a quality attendee experience by: creating a welcoming, inclusive space for bicyclists of all abilities to enjoy our events; and responding to event queries by email and phone in a timely manner.
• Cultivating a community of WABA supporters surrounding events, and creating ways to deepen their engagement in WABA, financially and otherwise. 
• Securing and coordinating event sponsors for events in their portfolio and across the organization.

To ensure year-round partnership with businesses and corporations, the Events & Partnerships Manager manages and grows a portfolio of companies giving $250 – $10,000, to meet a revenue goal of about $50,000/year. Responsibilities include:

• Timely execution and coordination of contracted deliverables, beyond event sponsorship,  
• Frequent prospect research,  outreach, and solicitation,
• Regular, personalized updates and communication, and
• Supporting the Development Director in management of partners giving more than $10,000/year.

Finally, it’s expected that the Events & Partnership Manager, like everyone on the team, offers meaningful, hands-on support for their colleagues — this means heavy lifting, envelope stuffing and thank you note writing marathons, and authentic collaboration on a daily basis.

QUALIFICATIONS

Core skills (these are essential to performing the job):

• 1-3 years experience planning and executing events for 200+ individuals, including coordination of staff, volunteers, and sponsors
• A deadline-oriented approach to work, and the ability to balance multiple tasks and priorities simultaneously while managing medium-to long term (3-6 month) projects
• Enthusiastic, sincere, energetic interpersonal and communications skills, both verbal and written,
• An authentic passion for WABA’s mission, enthusiasm for our vision, and ability to work in alignment with organizational values.

The job also requires a current driver’s license, clean driving record, and the willingness to regularly— and very safely— drive and parallel park a 19.5-foot cargo van, and the ability to lift 40 pounds to un/load event supplies in and out of the van. WABA will work to accommodate great candidates who cannot meet this requirement.

Useful skills and experience (these are great to have, but not required):

• Experience organizing large-scale, outdoor recreation events for walking or biking specifically
• A track record of organizing and motivating volunteers for one-time or ongoing engagement
• Comfort bicycling in the city (free WABA classes available to help with this!)
• Comfort spending 2-3 hours on a bike 
• Familiarity with Salesforce or other Customer Relationship Management programs. 

WABA requires all staff to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or be eligible for an exemption as defined by the District of Columbia Mayor’s Order 2021-099, Section III.

The candidate must be located in the Washington, DC area — while the majority of our staff are working remotely, this position requires  in-office work preparing for events, in-person presence on event days, and external meetings with partners. 

SUPPORT 

There is a lot of work to do! Here’s some of what might help you get it done:

• An engaged donor base of 7,000+ people, many of whom have been investing in WABA for decades and adore our events.
• A hardworking, genuine, and collaborative development/communications team with knowledge of regional issues and WABA’s member base, and who work together regularly to problem-solve and brainstorm.
• Staff on the ground across the region with connections and a willingness to help out, and 
• Onboarding and training with outgoing events staff (dependent on start date). 

BENEFITS

This is a full time salaried exempt position, with additional leave granted in exchange for additional weekend and evening hours worked for special events. The expected salary range is $55,000 – $60,000. Other benefits include:

• 100% employer-paid health, dental, and vision insurance premiums.
• Generous vacation, sick and personal leave.
• Up to 120 hours of paid vacation starting in your first year, with additional hours after two, five, and ten years of service.
• 96 hours annually of paid sick time, capped at 160 hours, starting in your first year.
• Flexible use of sick leave. WABA supports and promotes the health of staff, who may use accrued sick time for unscheduled leave when not feeling well (mind or body), as well as for scheduled medical appointments.
• Immediate access to WABA’s 403(b) retirement program, with up to a 5% employer match after one-year of service.
• Optional commuter transit benefit (pre tax deduction).
• Optional voluntary benefits including, life insurance, short-term disability, long-term disability, other.
• 13 paid holidays annually, generally following the federal holiday calendar.
• A fun and relaxed office environment.
• Passionate, supportive colleagues who are dedicated to working together for our mission and seeing the impact of our work. 

ABOUT

WABA empowers people to ride bikes, build connections, and transform places. We envision a just and sustainable transportation system where walking, biking, and transit are the best ways to get around.

Learn more about our work at waba.org/about.

HOW TO APPLY 

Send a compelling, relevant cover letter and resume to jobs@waba.org with “Events & Partnerships Manager” in the subject line by April 5, 2023. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis with an anticipated start date of May 1, 2023.

No phone calls please.

EEO STATEMENT:

“WABA is committed to providing equal employment opportunity for all persons regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, marital status, arrest record or criminal convictions, political affiliation, sexual orientation or gender identity, disability, sex, or age.”