Friends of the Mississippi River

Friends of the Mississippi River (FMR) is a leading citizen organization working to protect and enhance the Mississippi River and its watershed in the Twin Cities area. Recently recognized by Philanthropedia and Minnesota Philanthropy Partners as one of the highest impact environmental non-profits in Minnesota, we strive to create positive changes that improve water quality and provide habitat for wildlife, create educational and recreational opportunities, and inspire widespread commitment to the great river flowing through our community.

Position Description

The Event Manager is a salaried position that will have primary responsibility for coordinating participant communications and marketing of FMR’s 2012 Mississippi River Challenge, which will be held July 28 & 29, 2012. There will also be some sponsorship and logistics responsibilities, and the Event Manager will have multiple days-of-event responsibilities for the 2012 Mississippi River Challenge.

Planning is already underway for this two-day, 44-mile paddle to which we expect to attract approximately 350-450 participants. For the right candidate, there is an opportunity to develop this part-time seasonal position into a permanent position with increased hours. This decision will be made in late September of 2012, and the permanent position would start immediately following the decision unless otherwise negotiated.

Desired Qualifications

Applicants should possess two or more years of special events work experience. A qualified applicant will be a self-motivated professional with marketing, sponsorship, budgeting, and technology experience. Logistics experience is a plus. The position requires strong oral and written communication skills, leadership abilities, interpersonal skills and public speaking abilities. Skills are also required in the areas of organization, goal setting and the ability to handle multiple responsibilities simultaneously. This position requires the ability to coordinate and manage volunteers as well as work cooperatively with other staff and board members. The ideal candidate will possess the ability to set priorities, make quick and sound decisions, problem solve, work independently and as a team member, and act professionally in dealing with the public. The ideal candidate will also have the ability to transition to a permanent, year round position and have strong interest in doing so.

Responsibilities

The Event Manager will report to the Development Director and work with the Event Logistics Coordinator, other FMR staff, the Mississippi River Challenge Steering Committee, interns and volunteers to carry out the following tasks:

Communications/Outreach

• Field all phone calls and emails from paddlers and prospective paddlers
• Field all phone calls and emails from pledgers
• Write and format Paddle it. Protect it. emails
• Place and coordinate advertisements (paid and in-kind) , distribute press releases, work to generate earned media, and act as the media contact for the event
• Staff Midwest Mountaineering Expo, April 27-29, 2012 (with assistance)
• Co-host 3-5 informational happy hours
• Coordinate workshops – paddling, pledge-raising, and safety captain
• Track RSVPs for pre-Mississippi River Challenge events and provide directions/information/etc.
• Coordinate mailed communications, as necessary
• Update and administer post-event paddler survey

Sponsorship

• Personalize and tailor sponsorship proposals within framework of the general proposal
• Coordinate and track sponsor communications (with Development Director and Event Logistics Coordinator)
• Communicate with sponsors about benefits and participation
• Prepare post-event report

Administrative & Technology

• Adhere to the established event budget
• Process and track all offline pledges and paddler registrations
• Track registration and pledge numbers
• Prepare board reports regarding event progress/success
• Facilitate ad hoc committee meetings
• Create paddler pages for offline registrants
• Post offline pledges of paddler pages
• Upload all premiums and track and coordinate claims
• Update website text and photos and coordinate website for 2012 event

Staff/volunteer (with the Event Logistics Coordinator)

• Coordinate safety captain participation
• Co-supervise intern
• Assess volunteer needs for each site
• Assign day-of staff duties and conduct staff orientation as needed
• Co-lead pre- and post-event staff meetings
• Coordinate volunteers and vendors to do specialized tasks (i.e. yoga and massages)

Logistics (with the Event Logistics Coordinator)

• Plan menus for each site, solicit food donations and purchase food
• Find and contract band for Evening at the Fort, and coordinate all Historic Fort Snelling activities with Fort staff
• Visit sites pre-event, as necessary
• Prepare and pack boxes for each site
• Days-of-event coordination and management

Promote the mission of Friends of the Mississippi River in all aspects of the job

• Maintain a basic working knowledge of FMR mission and programs
• Represent FMR in the community when needed

Salary

Salary range for the full 7 month term of this position is $10,270-$11,440, commensurate with experience. Paid vacation, holidays and sick leave.

To Apply

Send or email a cover letter summarizing your interest in and qualifications for the position, along with a résumé and the names and phone numbers of three professional references to:

Heather Haynes, Development Director
Friends of the Mississippi River
360 North Robert Street, Suite 400
Saint Paul, MN 55101

Timeline

Please submit your application by Tuesday, January 17, 2012. The desired start date is February 13, 2012. The position will remain open until filled. Friends of the Mississippi River is an equal opportunity employer.