Events Manager

Looking to make a difference in the lives of pets and people? With an almost year-round beautiful blue sky and a scenic mountain backdrop, HSPPR is a nonprofit animal shelter serving El Paso, Pueblo, and Douglas Counties as well as the City of Centennial in the colorful State of Colorado. We employ a total of 200 employees. We are an organization that celebrates and prioritizes diversity and inclusion. HSPPR welcomes you to apply for the exciting position of Event Specialist at our Colorado Springs campus.

Job Summary

Full-time position in the Philanthropy Department. The Events Manager is responsible for planning and implementing HSPPR's signature fundraising events and donor stewardship events for both the Colorado Springs and Pueblo campuses. Manages the Events Specialist position and works collaboratively with all members of the Philanthropy department, as well as members of all HSPPR departments.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

• • Oversees the planning, logistics, and implementation of HSPPR's signature fundraising events, including: Fur Ball (gala with 500 guests raising $700K ), Pawtoberfest Dog Walk & Beer Fest (2,000 attendees, raising $210K ), and Whisker Ball Brunch (gala for Pueblo supporters with 200 guests raising $125K ).
  • Create donor-centric event experiences with a strong focus on hospitality and gratitude while upholding the highest standards of customer service, excellence, and stewardship.
  • Coordinates the planning and execution of donor stewardship events (1-2 events per quarter) for both Colorado Springs and Pueblo campuses in conjunction with Major Gifts team.
  • Manage promotional events, including "Happy Tails Happy Hour" events and community/third party/DIY/partnership events that support HSPPR's fundraising or promote HSPPR signature events with Events Specialist and Corporate Giving Specialist.
  • Responsible for overall event budget management and stewardship: event revenue, expenses and obtaining net goal. Creates and maintains budgets for each event.
  • Manage relationships with external vendors to coordinate event logistics, negotiate contracts, secure liquor licenses, and ensure compliance with local ordinances.
  • Collaborates with the Major Gifts team (Director of Development, Donor Officers, and VP of Philanthropy) to analyze donor motivations, trends, and preferences, ensuring events are strategically designed and evolve to deepen engagement and maximize philanthropic impact.
  • Works closely with Marketing & Communications team to establish deadlines for the creation and design all event collateral (invitations, emails, programs, flyers, posters, t-shirts, signage, appeal video, scripts, etc.) and provides written content for event-related promotional emails and updates for event website and ticketing platforms.
  • Collaborates with the Communications team to develop strategy for marketing plans for each event and to ensure the consistent promotion of events.
  • Collaborates with Corporate Giving position to develop sponsorship goals and giving levels for all HSPPR signature events. Assists with cultivation, stewardship and retention of event sponsors and major donors, business partners and vendors. Gather input and perspectives to fulfill sponsor benefits and maximize sponsorship value.
  • Collaborate with the Volunteer Services department to recruit, train, manage, and recognize event volunteers. Ensure events are properly staffed, appoint lead volunteers/staff, and provide necessary training. Cultivate and appreciate additional volunteers essential to event success.
  • Solicits in-kind donations in support of events, including overseeing the procurement of auction items for the Fur Ball and Whisker Ball Brunch silent and live auctions.
  • Handles follow-up activities relating to events and promotions; provides post-event evaluations and reporting. Coordinates donor, volunteer, committee correspondences, thank you notes, and tax acknowledgements.
  • Maintain the integrity of donor data by tracking and reporting ticket sales, auction payments, and giving amounts, ensuring accurate recording and reconciliation.
  • Procures, maintains, and inventories storage closets of HSPPR's supplies and equipment for special events and promotions.
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  Other

  • If the Community Animal Response Team (CART) is activated, may serve as the Emergency Support Functions (ESF) #11 desk representative at either the City or County Emergency Operations Center (EOC) and is responsible for serving as the liaison between HSPPR, the CART shelter(s) and the Command Staff.
  • Attends EOC-related City and County training, including but not limited to completing the FEMA IS-100.b and IS-700.A certificate to be prepared to serve at the ESF #11 desk.
  • Commitment to the mission, values, goals and success of HSPPR
  • Perform all other duties as assigned.

  Supervisory Duties

  • Directly supervises Events Specialist
  • Supervises volunteers assisting with events, planning committees and event related activities

Schedule Requirements

• Schedule may include nights, weekend, and holiday work.
• Ability to work a flexible/hybrid schedule after first 90 days of training.

Education/Experience Necessary

• Bachelor's degree preferred.
• Two years of experience in managing large (>$100K) fundraising events highly preferred.
• Ability to work within a fast-paced and technologically savvy workplace environment, utilizing tools such as Givesmart auction platform, Qgiv online giving platform, Raiser's Edge donor database, project management tools (ie. Asana, Trello, etc.), Microsoft Office and Teams environment.
• Familiarity with Philanthropy terms and models (donor-centric events and communications, stewardship, Benevon, silent auctions, raise the paddle, community engagement, etc.)
• Ability to collaborate with ease and to create and maintain cross-departmental influence.
• Knowledge of animal behavior and animal handling experience preferred.
• Background in events, communications, public relations, or marketing in a non-profit setting desired.

** Application Deadline: Monday, March 2, 2025 **

In addition to competitive salaries, we offer comprehensive benefits to our full-time staff.

Benefits include:

Health Insurance ~~ 401K with employer matching up to 4% of salary ~~ Dental and vision Plans ~~ Supplemental Group Life Insurance ~~ Short and long term disability Insurance ~~ Paid time off ~~ Holidays ~~ Direct Deposit ~~ Personal Pet Perks ~~ Wellness Programs ~~ Paid Sabbatical after 5 years of employment

The Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region is a Public Service Loan Forgiveness-qualified employer. To learn more about this program, go to https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/.

The core values of the staff unite us and guide us to provide the best service to the animals in our care, our organization, and our community.

Core Values Statements-

• Compassion: We believe that animals matter. We are committed to treating animals and people with kindness, respect and compassion.
• Stewardship: We are accountable and transparent in our actions and in the use of our resources to build trust in those we serve.
• Integrity: We believe we can make the greatest impact by staying true to our mission, always doing what is best for the animals and people of our community, and by standing united in our decisions.
• Excellence: We are passionate about our mission, and strive for excellence through continual learning, innovation and the development of our board, staff and volunteers.
• Collaboration: We seek strategic partnerships and alliances to advance the welfare and protection of animals and people.
• Service: We exist to serve our communities and operate with this commitment to serve as front and center in all we do.

As a condition of employment with HSPPR, you will be required to authorize HSPPR and ProScreening to conduct a background check before confirming an employment start date. The background check will include a criminal investigation, verification of citizenship/immigration status, and a motor vehicle record. By applying for this position, you acknowledge and agree that any offers of employment will be contingent upon completion of the background check to the satisfaction of HSPPR.

In consideration of any offers of employment made as a result of your interest in this position, by applying for this position, you hereby waive any and all claims that you may have against HSPPR for invasion of privacy in respect to drug testing and background checks as listed above.

Salary : $58,000 - $60,000