About Operation Food Search:

Founded in 1981, Operation Food Search is a hunger relief organization that provides food, nutrition education and innovative programs in order to reduce food insecurity and increase equitable access to food. We serve 200,000 people every month through a network of 330 partners in 25 counties in Missouri and Illinois. We use a combination of immediate food assistance and supportive services, while also working on long-term solutions and systemic changes to help solve the problem of hunger. 

Our Mission is to heal hunger with innovative and collaborative solutions that provide food today and help create a hunger-free tomorrow.

Our Vision is a region where everyone has equitable access to the food they need to lead healthy lives.

Our Goals are to:

• Meet the immediate need for food for children, individuals and families by providing high-quality nutrition through our distribution network.
• Empower long-term skills through nutrition education and by teaching how to shop and prepare healthy food on a budget.
• Champion change through advocacy, innovative programs and by addressing systemic inequities.

For more information about OFS, please visit our website at www.operationfoodsearch.org. 

Position Summary:

Operation Food Search seeks a talented and results-driven Special Events Manager to join our Development & Communications team. The successful candidate will have a genuine passion for ending the cycle of food insecurity, play an integral role in connecting donors to our mission. You will join a fast-paced team always searching for innovative ideas to engage with our supporters, volunteers, community partners, and the participants we serve. Reporting to the Donor Engagement Officer, the Special Events Manager is responsible for managing a variety of events that inspire the community and generate financial support. This position is also the staff liaison to the Friends Board (young professionals).

Essential Functions:

• General Fundraising and Stewardship: 
  • Engage a community of supporters who care about solving hunger
  • Execute, manage, and organize all aspects of various fundraising events for OFS
  • Manage volunteer committees that support each event
  • Build relationships with donors and volunteers who are critical to the success of OFS events.
• Primary Events: Swing to Heal Hunger Golf Tournament and Feast for Change: A Farm to Fork Experience  
  • Create annual project implementation plans for each event. Monitor performance against plans.
  • Recruit volunteer planning committee members, coordinate and manage committee and sub-committee meetings, and generally support volunteer success
  • Coordinate event logistics with the venue, vendors, in-kind donors, etc.
  • Working with Director of Communications and Donor Engagement Officer, develop solicitation materials and communications for the events
  • Work with the Chief Development Officer and Donor Engagement Officer on securing sponsorships
  • Manage sponsorships, ticket donations, and day of event implementation
  • Willingness to secure auction items and vendors to support fundraising
  • Coordinate with OFS staff and the Volunteer and Food Drive Manager on securing volunteers for day of
  • Manage One Cause Program, including event, sponsorship, ticketing, item set-up, and other specific needs by event. Coordinate with Development Coordinator to ensure that payment processing, guest check-in and other needs are executed.
• Friends Board Liaison 
  • Mentor and support the Friends Board (FB) in their fundraising and friend-raising efforts for OFS.
  • Help manage Party for Packs, the FB signature fundraising event, other FB events.
  • Support and guide the FB recruitment efforts, ensuring a diverse group of volunteer leaders.
  • Provide opportunities for OFS Team and Friends Board (FB) interactions to engage FB in overall OFS Mission.
• Other Events and Campaigns 
  • Help coordinate OFS's role in April Showers in conjunction with the Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri
  • Assist in planning and implementation of Shop Out Hunger, Scouting for Food, and Warner's Warmup
  • Assist in planning and implementation of Heirloom Legacy Society or Harvesters Circle events
  • Additional events as needed

Education and/or Experience:

• Bachelor's degree preferred
• 3-5 years of experience managing special events

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Passion for OFS's mission
• Experience building strong relationships both internally and externally
• Extremely detail-oriented and organized
• Ability to multi-task in a fast-paced non-profit environment
• Experience developing and implementing project plans and timelines
• Strong computer skills with MS Office: Word, PowerPoint and Excel
• Ability to work both independently and as a member of a larger staff team
• Familiar with diverse technologies and software. Knowledge of Donor Perfect and One Cause a strong plus.
• Additional skills that are highly valued include:
• General fundraising experience
• Volunteer management experience

Special Requirements:

• Flexibility in working after-hours, during evenings and/or weekends, for meetings or special events
• Willingness to cover other OFS duties that don't fall under regular job duties

Working Conditions and Physical Demands:

• Some sedentary inside office work with limited exposure to weather conditions
• Ability to lift/carry 30+ lbs. and transport items for event prep and breakdown
• Ability to stand for extended periods of time, both indoors and outdoors

Benefits – FT Positions

• Medical, dental and vision coverage
• HSA, HRA, and FSA
• 401(k) retirement plan
• Vacation and sick time, paid holidays
• Short and long-term disability income
• Company paid term life and AD&D insurance
• Voluntary employee paid term life and AD&D insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Wellness support
• Potential for student loan forgiveness, if qualified

Location: 1644 Lotsie Blvd., Overland, MO 63132

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or protected veteran status.