The Northside Achievement Zone (NAZ) is a bold and innovative collaborative effort to close the achievement gap in a geographic “Zone” of North Minneapolis. The purpose of our work is to end multigenerational poverty in our community, using education as a lever. We use a data-driven, evidence-based, achievement-focused model in which both children and their families move through a “cradle-to-career” ecosystem that provides comprehensive support. NAZ is a leading initiative in the national Promise Neighborhoods and cradle to college/career movement. As NAZ learns what works with families in North Minneapolis to address complex issues related to urban poverty, strategies are being set up for replication and informing the regional, state, and national fields.
Position Purpose:
The Events and Communications Manager plays a key role in sharing the mission and vision of NAZ through supporting special events and storytelling. The role is responsible for planning, organizing, and executing a wide range of programmatic events including celebrations, conferences, stakeholder gatherings, and convenings that share the work of NAZ and its partners and lift up the accomplishments of Northside scholars and parents. Additionally, this role may also provide support or collaboration in ideation and logistics for major staff events, as needed.
The successful candidate will have excellent interpersonal skills, exceptional attention to detail, and the ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously, as well as a deep commitment to racial equity and to the success of North Minneapolis youth. This is a fast-paced and dynamic role, requiring flexibility and adaptability to collaborate with staff across the organization.
Primary Responsibilities
Organization-wide Events Management:
- Develop an events strategy that supports key initiatives of the NAZ Strategic Business plan, aligned with annual organizational goals
- In partnership with key internal stakeholders, identify community needs and determine how best to create engaging events that connect attendees with the NAZ mission and align with our vision, values, and priorities, and support external-facing events on the Northside, fostering positive community engagement and impact
- Develop strong relationships with internal teams to facilitate effective communication and coordination, ensuring smooth collaboration across departments
- Work closely with program leads on individual event conceptualization, goal setting, strategy, design, and planning to make sure the outcomes are achievable and within scope and budget
- Implement all tactical and logistical components necessary to conduct events including planning meetings, venue site visits, vendor selection process, contract negotiation, developing event programs, securing appropriate permits, etc
- Track expenses and manage event payments, maintaining an approved vendor network for sourcing services like catering, entertainment, décor, and AV equipment as needed
- Manage event attendee registration and communications, including management of event registration software/site, securing invite lists, managing attendee confirmation and reminder communications, as well as post-event follow-up
- Create and execute event day timelines; work closely with event staff, including volunteers and contractors, to ensure smooth execution
- Oversee event setup and teardown, ensuring that all materials, equipment, and signage are properly installed and removed
- Manage the event calendar, working collaboratively with departments to plan and track events throughout the fiscal year
- Schedule and lead comprehensive event evaluations to enhance attendee experiences, utilizing feedback to continuously improve future events while maintaining historical data for reference
Communications and Marketing Support for Events:
- Oversee event invitations, save the dates, and other email/mail communications related to events by working with the Senior Marketing Manager for design and execution
- Manage social media and other marketing communications surrounding events, leveraging short-form video shooting and editing skills to create engaging content for platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and other media, both for promotion and post-event recaps
- Provide support for social media and other communications projects as assigned, contributing to broader organizational objectives
Supervision Responsibility
- None
Education and/or Experience
- Bachelor’s degree in marketing/communications or in a related field.
- A minimum of 4 years of professional experience in events production, non-profit program coordination, marketing/communications, fundraising, and/or community organizing
Minimum Qualifications
The ideal candidate must have experience in non-profit event management. A strong passion for NAZ’s mission and Values (F.A.C.T.S) to “build a culture of achievement in a geographic Zone in North Minneapolis to ensure that all youth graduate from high school college and career-ready,” is a must. Other qualifications and skills required or preferred for this position, include:
- Ability to plan and manage multiple, concurrent projects and timelines on a deadline
- Outstanding judgment, strategic thinking and project management skills, and ability to successfully implement projects from beginning to end
- Excellent communication, relationship management and people skills
- Excellent organizational skills, ability to multi-task and a strong attention to detail
- Experience working with external vendors including gathering bids, contract negotiation, ongoing communications, etc
- The ability to work independently to establish priorities and meet deadlines
- Excellent communication skills across a variety of channels including social media, print, digital, video, etc.
- Skilled at leading and working collaboratively and building consensus across teams
- Ability to excel in a results-oriented environment
- Experience successfully managing budgets
- Experience working in a Gsuite environment
- Passion for educational equity
- Cultural competency and experience working with diverse communities.
- Willingness to be open and respectful of all backgrounds
- Self-starting, independent worker who can thrive in a complex organization with multiple priorities
- Experience working in a community-based non-profit is preferred
- Able to work some nights/weekends as needed
Working Conditions and Physical Effort
- This is a hybrid role, the individual will complete a portion of their work onsite at the NAZ facility located in North Minneapolis, MN 55411.
- Work includes frequent walking up and down stairs, lifting, sitting, and bending.
- Regular operation of normal office machines (computer, copier, and fax) is required.
- There are occasional evenings and weekends required.
- Limited travel may be required.
- Valid Driver’s license and reliable transportation, required.
Benefits: We offer a comprehensive Benefits Package, including Health, Dental, Vision, Disability & Life Insurance; Health or Flexible Spending Accounts; Lifestyle Spending Account; Retirement Plan; generous Paid Time Off; Support for Professional Development, and more!
NAZ is a qualified employer under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF)
Note: When applying, you must include a COVER LETTER & RESUME
NAZ is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.