Programmatic Events Specialist

The NAACP Legal Defense & Educational Fund, Inc. (LDF) is the country’s first and foremost civil and human rights law organization. Founded in 1940 under the leadership of Thurgood Marshall, who subsequently became the first Black U.S. Supreme Court Justice, LDF was launched at a time when the nation’s aspirations for equality and due process of law were stifled by widespread state-sponsored racial inequality. From that era to the present, LDF’s mission has been transformative–to achieve racial justice, equality, and an inclusive society.

LDF’s litigation, policy advocacy, organizing, and public education programs in the substantive areas of criminal justice, economic justice, education and political participation seek to ensure the fundamental and basic human rights of all people to quality education, economic opportunity, the right to vote and fully participate in democracy, and the right to a fair and just judicial system.

In support of LDF’s mission, the organization hosts several signature events, including a Civil Rights Training Institute, a Capital Punishment Training Conference, and components of the Selma Jubilee. In addition to these large-scale events that attract hundreds of attendees, LDF also hosts smaller convenings throughout the year designed to connect our staff with other experts in the field. These events are a core part of LDF’s mission and in service of LDF’s programmatic work.

LDF is seeking a full-time Events Specialist to lead the planning and execution of a wide range of programmatic and organizational events. The Programmatic Events Manager will work with stakeholders across all departments to produce high-quality events that ensure an engaging and streamlined experience for attendees. The Programmatic Events Manager will be responsible for all aspects of event planning and will partner with programmatic staff and external stakeholders, where necessary, to implement the vision and goals for these events.

Reports to: Chief of Staff  

FLSA Status: Exempt

As of March 7, 2022, LDF transitioned to a hybrid work environment. Any candidate selected for this position should be prepared to work in the office location assigned at least two days per week.

Responsibilities:

Event Coordination

• Oversee the coordination of both onsite, offsite, remote, and hybrid (non-fundraising) events and conferences for LDF;
• Learn and serve as the owner of conference software to help in planning with events;
• Coordinate all planning logistics for external guests and partners (e.g.: travel, invites, accommodations, etc.);
• Manage the venue selection process for events and conduct multiple site visits to ensure organizational needs criterion are met;
• Serve as the primary Liaison for vendors, contractors, and all other third-party constituents;
• Coordinate with communication and marketing to ensure that all events reflect and are in line the LDF brand, vision, and mission;
• Remain knowledgeable and ensure that all planned events are accessible and in compliance with state and local regulations;
• Oversee the preparation of all digital and print materials for conference, and other events;
• Serve as the primary liaison for all pre-, day-of, and post planning aspects of events, conferences, etc.;
• Maintain the organizational calendar that includes key internal and external events, ensure calendar is up-to-date and accessible to all staff.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Consult with internal and external stakeholders, assessing their needs, and implementing in consultation with supervisor and Senior Leadership Team;
• Manage all communication with stakeholders to as it pertains to event planning, event content, technology, and communications;
• Work alongside the LDF Operations team to ensure all LDF protocols are in place for events;
• In consultation with various stakeholders, develop a comprehensive project timeline, project plan and, event schedule for each event;
• Manage all aspects of an event budget collaborating with finance and other stakeholders to ensure events are delivered within budget;
• Assemble internal event staff and serve as point person for assignment delegation;
• Lead event briefings and debriefs;
• Coordinate with the Office of the President and Director-Counsel on event planning;
• Support non-programmatic organizational events, as needed;
• Weekend and late hours may be required; and
• Other duties as assigned within the general scope of the position.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree, preferred field of study: Event Management, Non-Profit Management
• 3 or more years of relevant experience
• Commitment to the racial justice mission of LDF;
• Excellent oral and written communications skills;
• Advanced computer skills;
• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills;
• Excellent interpersonal skills.

This is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, skills, efforts or requirements or working conditions associated with the job. While this is intended to be an accurate reflection of the current job, management reserves the right to revise the job or to require that other or different tasks be performed as assigned. This description does not constitute a contract of employment and LDF may exercise its employment-at-will rights at any time.

The salary range of this position is $75,000 to $80,000. LDF offers a rich platform of benefits including medical (Empire), dental (Cigna), vision (NVA), flexible spending accounts (Flex Facts), transit/commuter plan, life insurance, AD&D, voluntary life & AD&D (UNUM), AFLAC, Employee Assistance Plan, and Health Advocate. As well as the many healthcare benefits, LDF offers a 403b plan with employer match, and a robust vacation, sick, and personal time program to ensure employees have a healthy work-life balance.

Please note that LDF requires all employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of employment. Accordingly, successful candidates must be fully vaccinated and submit proof of vaccination prior to the commencement of employment unless they qualify for a reasonable accommodation for bona fide medical or religious reasons.

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