SPECIAL EVENTS MANAGER

Be Pro Be Proud is looking for a Special Events Manager who will lead the statewide Draft Day Series, Annual National Conference, Annual Mid-Year National Meeting, new state launch events, and manage corresponding logistical needs.

The ideal candidate must be a self-motivated, driven, problem-solver who will positively contribute to the organization’s team culture and who can accept and adapt to challenges as they occur. This individual must be comfortable in a management role that demands a creative, business-driven mindset and the ability to budget, forecast, and set and meet deadlines. Candidates should be highly skilled to make these events consistently impactful, efficient, and cost-effective.

This position will be based in Central Arkansas, with extensive overnight in-state travel during the Draft Day Series and throughout the year. Some out-of-state travel is required. This is a full-time position with compensation to include base salary, individual- and team-based performance incentives, and benefits.

Be Pro Be Proud Background

Since its inception (2016), Be Pro Be Proud’s mission has been to change student, parent and educator perceptions of technical professions in the construction, forestry, manufacturing, transportation, and utilities industry sectors. Every day, Be Pro Be Proud launches important conversations about technical professions —and the rewarding, secure future they provide— across typically overlooked landscapes: classrooms, locker rooms, ballfields, academic events, and kitchen tables across America. Guided by broad and detailed feedback directly from our target audiences, Be Pro Be Proud has developed powerful content and experiences for a wide range of talent right where they live and learn.

Be Pro Be Proud’s culture is one of collaboration and all working together to meet individual and team goals and commitments. While there is an organizational structure, the input of all team members is expected and respected across all divisions, regardless of an individual team member’s direct responsibilities.

Be Pro Be Proud’s Special Events

The Draft Day Series: The Draft Day Series enters its fourth year with improving results shown during the past three series. Draft Day connects graduating seniors with employers based on matching interests, skill sets, and needs. We manage a series of steps that take place over several months leading up to these spring-semester events, all preparing these job candidates for success: resume and interview workshops, aptitude and interest assessments, in-person mock interviewing sessions, and more. Because of its intricate nature, we organize our Draft Day partners into five categories: Educators, Industry and Training Providers, Chambers of Commerce, State Agencies, and supporting organizations.

The Draft Day Series is supported by the Operations Director, Be Pro Be Proud’s Education Coordinator, and Business Development Coordinator, each of whom cultivate and manage the relationships with their designated audiences. Our Events Manager will work with Be Pro Be Proud team members in all divisions to make sure all audience needs and logistics details are addressed.

Annual Be Pro Be Proud National Conference: Be Pro Be Proud began in Arkansas in 2016 and since 2020, has become a national effort. Now operating in seven states and still growing, the Be Pro Be Proud national team hosts and coordinates a National Conference each year for a growing audience, nearly doubling in size annually. This is a 3-day event and the Special Events Manager will create the conference agenda, directly manage all logistical components, timelines, and deadlines. All divisions will provide support and develop content for delivery to attendees and the Events Manager will produce its agenda with this input in hand. The expected attendance size for the 2025 National Conference (June 2025) is approximately 100-150 attendees.

Be Pro Be Proud National Tour Stops : While relatively few, Be Pro Be Proud – through its National Team and state teams, is invited to attend national industry conferences and events. The Special Events Manager will be the Point-Of-Contact to facilitate logistics for our participation.

Core Requirements

Ø Represent Be Pro Be Proud in a positive manner at all times

Ø Accurately communicate Be Pro Be Proud’s mission, promoted technical professions, and event opportunities

Ø Study and understand Be Pro Be Proud’s organization, internal systems, digital resources and communication channels

Ø Maintain a positive attitude and contribute to the organization’s culture and healthy work environment

Ø Provide support to team members when called upon to assist with various projects; and

Ø Communicate ideas or concerns when heard or realized that positively contribute to the success and growth of the organization.

Position-Specific Requirements

Ø Ensure Be Pro Be Proud meets or exceeds all commitments with professional, prompt, and positive communication to all internal and external audiences

Ø Work with team members to develop and manage budgets and projections, track income and expenses, and report to Leadership and the Board of Directors upon request

Ø Utilize leadership, advocacy, and collaboration with all participating Chambers of Commerce, State Agencies, and Partnering Organizations to effectively foster these partnerships, communicate expectations, and provide accountability to reaching mutual goals

Ø Maintain and improve standard operating procedures for all Draft Day processes, including but not limited to logistics, timelines, assignment of responsibilities, success metrics, and communication to internal and external stakeholders.

Ø Evaluate outcomes, create, and present reports for internal and external stakeholders in a timely manner

Ø Work with the Communications/Marketing, Development, Finance and Operations teams to develop and approve content and content schedules for event materials for all events and event audiences

Ø Oversee the execution of events and programs , attendee participation, registration counts, RSVP tracking, and issues resolution

Ø Coordinate logistics around presentations to groups to generate an understanding of events and their components (Draft Day Series, in particular).

Ø Represent Be Pro Be Proud as a speaker at events to inform, educate, and generate interest in Be Pro Be Proud events

Ø Proven track record of leading successful large-scale, multi-phase, multi-location, conferences or events

Required Qualifications

Ø 7 years of event-related management experience with record of success

Ø 3 - 4 references related to core and position-specific requirements

Ø Strong written, verbal, and digital communication skills (work examples will be requested);

Ø Strong networking skills

Ø Public speaking experience and comfortably speaking in front of groups of varying sizes, primarily – but not necessarily limited to – information about Be Pro Be Proud events.

Ø Ability to build relationships and nurture credibility with internal and external teams

Ø Proficient use of Microsoft Office systems and virtual meeting spaces

Ø Clean driving record

Ø As we regularly engage with student audiences, a background check is mandatory.

Be Pro Be Proud is impacting the workforce of tomorrow through its message that skilled professions are in high demand and readily accessible to students today. Through Draft Day students, parents, and educators are aware of the career options available and seniors are actively pursuing them. The organization is looking for someone with a desire to positively impact the world around them through their work. Your future begins here.