Events Manager

Connelly School of the Holy Child

Potomac (IL)

On-site

USD 65,000 - 90,000

Full time

7 days ago

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Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance (Medical, Dental &amp

Retirement Plan (401k, IRA)

Life Insurance (Basic, Voluntary)

Paid Time Off

Short-Term & Long-Term Disability

Training & Development

Job summary

Connelly School of the Holy Child seeks an energetic Events Manager to lead planning and execution of fundraising, donor, alumnae, admissions, and schoolwide events. Reporting to the Development Office, the role focuses on event production and advancing mission, community engagement, and fundraising goals.

The candidate will manage multiple priorities, collaborate with vendors and volunteers, and provide operational support to improve efficiency and donor relations throughout the year.

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree or equivalent professional experience.
3–5 years of event planning, hospitality, fundraising, or related experience.
Strong organizational and project management skills.
Excellent written and verbal communication abilities.
Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines with detail.
Experience budgeting and managing vendor relationships.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office.
Commitment to the school's mission and Catholic identity.

Responsibilities

Lead planning and execution of Development and schoolwide events from concept to post-event evaluation.
Develop project plans, timelines, budgets, and logistics.
Coordinate registration, catering, rentals, AV, signage, transportation, guest management, and setup.
Oversee event setup/breakdown for quality guest experience.
Manage event calendars and collaboration with leaders and partners.
Serve as PM for annual Spring Gala & Auction and donor engagement events.
Track expenses and revenue with Business Office and Development team.
Support donor stewardship and post-event follow-up.
Maintain event records, timelines, and vendor data.
Support Development Office operations during low-activity periods.
Maintain on-campus presence to reflect Holy Child's mission.

Skills

Organizational skills

Project management

Communication skills

Attention to detail

Budget management

Vendor relations

Microsoft Office

Professional ethics

Mission alignment

Catholic faith understanding

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

Connelly School of the Holy Child is a Catholic, college preparatory school, committed to the intellectual, spiritual, artistic, physical, and social development of young women in grades 6 through 12. The school emphasizes academic challenge, joy of learning, and education of well-rounded women of faith and action. The Holy Child community welcomes students and families of different faiths and diverse backgrounds. In keeping with the philosophy of our founder Cornelia Connelly, Holy Child values the uniqueness of each individual and fosters a life of service to others.

Description & Details:

Connelly School of the Holy Child seeks an energetic, highly organized, and detail-oriented Events Manager to lead the planning and execution of fundraising, donor, alumnae, admissions, and schoolwide events. Reporting to the Development Office, the Events Manager is responsible for managing all aspects of event production, ensuring a seamless experience for guests while advancing Holy Child’s mission, community engagement, and fundraising goals. While event planning and execution comprise the primary focus of the role, the Events Manager also provides operational support to the Development Office to enhance efficiency, constituent engagement, and fundraising success throughout the year.

The successful candidate will be a skilled project manager who thrives in a fast-paced environment, can manage multiple priorities simultaneously, and enjoys collaborating with colleagues, vendors, volunteers, and community partners.

Key responsibilities

Event Planning and Management

Lead the planning and execution of Development and key schoolwide events from concept through post-event evaluation.
Develop project plans, timelines, budgets, and event logistics to ensure successful execution.
Coordinate all event details, including registration, catering, rentals, audiovisual needs, signage, transportation, guest management, and facility setup.
Oversee event setup and breakdown, ensuring a high-quality guest experience.
Manage event calendars and planning schedules in collaboration with school leadership and department partners.

Gala and Fundraising Events

Serve as the primary project manager for the School's annual Spring Gala & Auction.
Coordinate event logistics, sponsorship fulfillment, auction operations, and guest experience.
Work closely with Development staff, volunteers, and vendors to support fundraising goals.
Track event expenses and revenue in partnership with the Business Office and Development team.
Assist with donor stewardship and recognition activities associated with fundraising events.

Schoolwide and Community Events

Coordinate major institutional events in partnership with Admissions, Athletics, Academics, and School Leadership.
Support events such as Open House, Head of School Dinner, Blue/Gold Games, donor receptions, alumnae events, and other key community gatherings.
Ensure consistency, quality, and alignment with the School's mission and brand standards across all events.

Vendor and Budget Management

Identify, negotiate, and manage relationships with event vendors, venues, caterers, and service providers.
Secure high-quality services while maintaining fiscal responsibility.
Manage event budgets, contracts, invoices, and payments in coordination with the Business Office.
Maintain accurate event records, timelines, and expenditure reports.

Event Communications and Evaluation

Coordinate event invitations, registration materials, signage, programs, and event-related communications in partnership with the Communications Office.
Monitor registration and attendance data.
Conduct post-event evaluations and provide recommendations for future improvements.
Manage event recordkeeping, attendee tracking, and reporting.

Development Operations Support

Provide administrative and operational support to the Development Office, particularly during periods of lower event activity.
Assist with event-related data management, reporting, and constituent record maintenance in school fundraising and engagement platforms.
Support donor stewardship efforts through gift acknowledgment processes, mailing coordination, and event-related follow-up.
Maintain event documentation, vendor records, timelines, and departmental procedures to support organizational continuity and efficiency.
Assist with special projects, data cleanup, and other Development initiatives as assigned.

School Engagement

Maintain an active presence on campus to build relationships and effectively represent Holy Child's mission and culture.
Support a collaborative and service-oriented culture consistent with the school's values and traditions.
This individual will have an active presence on campus to ensure they may accurately represent how Holy Child is living out the mission of building the next generation of women of Actions Not Words.

Requirements

Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree or equivalent professional experience
Three to five years of event planning, hospitality, fundraising, or related experience
Exceptional organizational and project management skills
Strong written and verbal communication abilities
Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines with attention to detail
Experience managing budgets and vendor relationships
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.
High professional and ethical standards for handling confidential information
Commitment to embrace the school’s mission and values
Strong understanding of, and respect for, Catholic faith, beliefs, and practice

Preferred Qualifications

Experience planning fundraising or donor engagement events
Experience in an independent school, nonprofit, or higher education setting
Familiarity with Veracross, Raiser's Edge, OneCause, or similar platforms
Experience coordinating large-scale events with multiple stakeholders
Knowledge of event registration and auction software

Physical Demands

Ability to work evenings and weekends as events require
Ability to assist with event setup, breakdown, and on-site event management
Able to lift small items of up to 20 pounds

It has been and will continue to be the policy of Connelly School of the Holy Child to be fair and impartial in all of its relations with applicants for employment and to make all employment related decisions without regard to race, color, national origin, age, sex, or any other categories protected by federal, state, or local law. Decisions regarding employment will be based solely upon job-related factors.

Benefits