Manager, Event Production

The National Multiple Sclerosis Society mobilizes people and resources to drive research for a cure and to address the challenges of everyone affected by MS. To fulfill this , the Society funds cutting-edge , drives change through , facilitates professional education, collaborates with MS organizations around the world, and provides programs and to their lives forward. We partner with volunteers to accomplish our work. Staff members engage volunteers through effective and timely communications, facilitating meaningful opportunities, and continually seeking and providing feedback for reciprocal growth and learning.

The Manager, Event Production position is responsible for an assigned events portfolio as well as leading, coaching and supporting a small number of Event Production professionals (direct and indirect) across a proximately expanded geographic territory ensuring the successful execution of all events to achieve overall event goals. is responsible for planning and execution of all logistical aspects of fundraising activities for all assigned events including but not limited to: creating and adhering to logistical timelines; managing expenses to budget; securing vendors and placing orders for event day set-up (tents, tables, chairs, fencing, etc.); securing permits and certificates of insurance; ordering and managing delivery of event supplies; inventory and management of multiple storage units; determining needs and securing event vehicles, negotiating vendor pricing and contracts. Will work closely with relationship management and volunteer engagement partners within assigned territory to provide for exceptional event experiences and support revenue growth.

The individual portfolio will encompass moderate level event grouping category events requiring a moderate level of proficiency and can include multi-market, higher level event grouping category events, and/or a significant quantity of events requiring advanced proficiency, year-round focus, and significant time investment.

Essential Function/Responsibility (% of time):

Event Production (60% of time)

• Regularly collaborates with relationship management team and volunteer engagement staff serving as project manager to ensure exceptional event experience for participants and sponsors
• Monitor, adhere to, and update event production timelines for all events; adhere to deadlines and communicate progress to supervisor, identifying potential roadblocks or challenges
• Reserve and secure venues, permits and insurance for assigned events by predetermined deadlines, establishing, and maintaining positive relationships with communities hosting our events and vendors; identify and recommend new venues as necessary.
• Maintain storage unit(s) to ensure space is fully utilized and orderly; will often include storage unit(s) outside of local market or large units that house supplies for more than one market
• Maintain and track current inventory of event materials and supplies, including signage
• Purchase, pack and distribute specified event supplies before, during and after each campaign (i.e. prizes, incentives, t-shirts, medals, etc.)
• Provide local and National Sponsorship fulfillment information and manage deliveries
• Collaboratively manage distribution of in-kind secured by the relationship management team.
• Schedule and facilitate event production meetings with appropriate staff (pre, post, on-event)
• Determine and communicate event staff assignments in conjunction with development team partners
• Manage relationship with third-party logistics company, handling overall event logistics when applicable
• Follow all risk management guidelines related to event execution (police, communications, rider support, etc.).
• Partner with event and market leaders as well as lead volunteers to ensure rider safety, crisis communication, and weather-related delays or cancelations
• Establish and maintain positive relationships vendors and with communities hosting our events
• Serve as an active member of Emergency Response team; act as vendor contact for changes or cancelation
• Identify and recommend new venues as necessary
• Review, plan, secure and oversee event routes including developing contingencies as needed.
• Works closely with the Society's legal/risk management department to ensure adherence to the Society's contract policy.
• Ensures the timely submission of logistical event information so that TeamRaisers can be built and updated as needed to help drive acquisition and retention.

• Other duties may be assigned as needed to support event operations

Budget and Project Coordination (20% of time)

• Negotiate and manage specified event contracts including but not limited to tents, porta-potties, dumpsters, facilities, trucks and supply vehicles, hotel blocks
• Follow event procurement process including purchase orders and contracts, payment processing, ensuring accurate record keeping and follow finance policies and procedures
• Track expenses and adhere to approved budgets for all events
• Maintain a focus on cost saving measures by ensuring appropriate bidding process for multi-site vendors (including tents, tables and chairs, heavy equipment, toilets, waste disposal, vehicle rentals, communication equipment, entertainment equipment, water and ice, peripheral equipment such as cones, stanchions, barricades, fencing, food vendors) whether paid or in-kind
• Complete all post-event financials (final invoice payments, etc.), thank you communications to vendors/partners, tracking supply/product usage and noting opportunities for following year; ensure the same for direct reports

Manage relationships and responsibilities for specialized volunteer support and safety for all assigned events (20%)

• Lead volunteer committees to ensure members are fully supported and prepared for day-of-event roles and responsibilities
• Initiate, develop and facilitate committee meetings, in conjunction with relationship management partner, to share event details and ensure critical logistical items are addressed
• Cultivate volunteers, seek, and provide feedback on route, event timing, rider safety and support, etc.; share opportunities and ideas for reciprocal growth and learning