Events Specialist

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 this exciting opportunity at our socially conscious organization.

Job Summary

Full-time position in Philanthropy Department reporting to Events Manager. Serves on the Events Team alongside Events Manager, Corporate Giving Manager, and Director of Development.

Responsible for assisting Events Manager with all aspects of HSPPR's large-scale signature fundraising events: Fur Ball, Pawtoberfest, and Whisker Ball/Brunch. In addition to assisting with annual donor stewardship events (1-2 events per quarter).

Key Duties and Responsibilities

• Assists with the planning, logistics, and implementation of HSPPR's signature fundraising events, including: Fur Ball (gala with 550 guests raising $700K ), Pawtoberfest (festival with 2,000 attendees, raising $210K), and Whisker Ball/Brunch (gala for Pueblo supporters with 200 guests raising $125K ). 
• Infuses a spirit of hospitality and gratitude when creating donor-centric event experiences. 
• Collaborates on the planning and execution of donor stewardship events (1-2 events per quarter) for Colorado Springs and Pueblo campuses with the Major Gifts team and Events Manager. 
• Manages promotional events, including "Happy Tails Happy Hour" events and supports community/third party/DIY/partnership events that aid HSPPR's fundraising or promote HSPPR signature events with Events Manager and Corporate Giving Manager. 
• Helps maintain event budget, including revenue sources and expenses with an eye on achieving net fundraising goals, transparency, and stewardship.  
• Provides valuable input for the creation of a comprehensive event plans and communications plans. Works closely with key staff members to promote and execute events.
• Ensure seamless delivery of all aspects of the event, creating an exceptional experience for HSPPR's supporters. 
• Contributes to the creation of event collateral, tracks deadlines, provides written copy for promotional emails, website, and event ticketing sites.
• Collaborates with Corporate Giving Manager to execute sponsorship benefits, cultivate sponsor relationships, and steward the retention of event sponsors/vendors.   
• Solicits and oversees in-kind donations for events, including procuring and processing 300 items for the Fur Ball silent auction, and 150 items for the Whisker Ball/Brunch silent auction. Additionally, secures in-kind donations for Pawtoberfest prizes. 
• Maintains frequent and detailed communication with auction volunteers through meetings, telephone conversations, email, and text.
• Executes 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. 
• Handles all ticketing and customer service for event patrons. Tracks trends and emerging tools in ticketing platform throughout the year. Runs point for day of event registration, manages refunds, event check-in procedures, training event check-in staff and volunteers.
• Solicits, communicates, and stewards beverage partners, and business vendors (e.g. food trucks, caterers, etc.) for Pawtoberfest. 
• Schedules and staff "Happy Tail Happy Hour" events and engages with customers to promote Pawtoberfest and expand partnerships. 
• Collaborates regularly with Volunteer Services Department with recruitment, training, management, and recognition of event volunteers and solicit task force.  (e.g. developing event specific volunteer jobs, coordinate point persons/lead volunteers, provide training for 75- 125 volunteers per event, serve as the event-day coordinator of volunteers, etc.) 
• Collaborates across departments to create mission moments at events (i.e., Pet Parade, and animal showcasing), includes knowledge of animal behavior, veterinary considerations, and compassion care for shelter animals.
• Works with Events Manager to create new events and improve existing events, focusing on strategic cultivation and stewardship of donors and increasing fundraising revenue. 
• Procures, maintains, and inventories HSPPR's supplies and equipment for special events and promotions. 
• Inspires connections and collaborations among volunteers and staff to deepen engagement and encourage meaningful contributions, maintaining a high level of excellence and flexibility.
• Attends community events as needed to promote HSPPR. 
• Assists with other event related duties as assigned. 

Supervisory Duties

None

Physical Demands

• Regularly sits at computer station.
• Must be able to lift, push, and pull a minimum of forty pounds with reasonable accommodations.
• Must be able to be on feet for extended periods of time.
• Typically stands, bends, stoops and crouches.
• Consistently exposed to animals in the workplace and animal allergens under conditions with limited alternatives available.
• Periodically drives a HSPPR Vehicle to perform duties.
• In the event that 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 for serving as the liaison between HSPPR, the CART shelter(s) and the Command Staff.
• Attends EOC related City and County trainings, including but not limited to completing the FEMA IS-100.b and IS-700.A certificates, to be prepared to serve at the ESF #11 desk.

Schedule Requirements

• Monday - Friday. Schedule may include nights, weekend, and holiday work.
• Ability to work a 1 day a week flexible/hybrid schedule after first 90 days of training.

Education/Experience Necessary

• Minimum one year of experience in fundraising/donor relations, communications/marketing, public relations, non-profit management or a related field (or college degree in related field) required. 
• Bachelor's degree preferred.
• Experience managing large fundraising event preferred or transferrable experience.
• Ability to maintain poise and a positive attitude while under stress or during times of increased workload.
• Excellent organizational, planning and time management skills. Strong administrative skills with the ability to manage multiple projects and events simultaneously, set priorities and meet deadlines. 
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to develop strong working relationships with volunteers, staff from a variety of departments and organizational leadership. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from internal and external stakeholders in a timely manner. 
• Strong problem-solving skills, ability to follow-up and ensure superior customer service to all stakeholders. Ability to maintain a high degree of professionalism with donors and board members. 
• A proven record of working in a highly collaborative team environment, possessing strong interpersonal skills and ability to work cooperatively with a diverse work force. 
• High degree of accuracy, thoroughness and attention to detail required. Ability to take direction, follow plans precisely. 
• Experience working with project management software, creating project plans, meeting deadlines and milestones, completing tasks and monitoring project progress. 
• Computer expertise and efficiency with Word, Excel, PowerPoint and project management software such as Asana. Working knowledge of Raiser's Edge, QGiv, and GiveSmart experience a plus.
• Commitment to the mission, values and success of HSPPR. 

**Application Deadline: Sunday, April 13, 2025, or until position is filled**

Benefits include:

Health Insurance ~~ 401K with employer matching up to 4% of salary ~~ Dental and vision* Insurances ~~ Supplemental Group Insurance* ~~ Short and long term disability Insurance ~~ Paid time off ~~ Holidays ~~ Direct Deposit ~~ Personal Pet Perks

(*) Employee pays the full premium

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 : $23 - $26