Special Events Coordinator

Baltimore, MD, USA|

Job Overview

Benefits

Health Insurance

Dental Insurance

Paid Time Off

Retirement Plan

Professional development opportunities

flexible schedule

Employee wellness programs

Job Description

This job opportunity is with a prominent nonprofit organization dedicated to making a meaningful impact through community engagement and fundraising efforts. The organization is deeply committed to advancing its mission by hosting a variety of events designed to foster donor relationships, engage stakeholders, and raise essential funds for its programs and services. As a nonprofit entity, it focuses on transparency, collaboration, and the effective use of resources to maximize its impact.

The role offered is that of an Event Planner or Event Manager, responsible for independently planning, coordinating, and executing a wide range of events. These include proprietary fundraising events, donor cultivation and stewardship activities, ribbon-cutting ceremonies, and various internal events that support the foundation's goals. The Event Planner plays a critical role in ensuring that all events are delivered with excellence, brand consistency, and within budget.

The successful candidate will manage event committees, recruit and oversee volunteers, and act as the primary liaison with external vendors such as venues, caterers, and décor providers. The position requires strong organizational skills to develop detailed event planning timelines and to maintain event databases and management platforms that support registration, tracking, and reporting. Working closely with the foundation team, the Event Planner will contribute to partnership-building and sponsorship efforts, ensuring all events promote the organization's mission and enhance its visibility.

This full-time position offers an engaging and dynamic work environment where collaboration, creativity, and strategic thinking are highly valued. Candidates with a background in nonprofit, fundraising, or development settings will find this role particularly rewarding. The role demands proficiency in negotiating contracts, budget management, and on-site event execution, including volunteer coordination and event flow management. The ability to effectively communicate and collaborate across different departments and external stakeholders is essential.

Overall, this role provides an excellent opportunity for an experienced event professional to contribute to a cause-driven organization, grow their expertise in nonprofit event planning, and make a tangible difference through successful event execution. It is ideal for candidates who are passionate about event management, donor engagement, and community outreach, looking to leverage their skills in a strategic and impactful setting.

Job Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in event management, hospitality, marketing, communications, nonprofit management, or a related field or equivalent combination of education and relevant experience
Three years of previous experience in event planning, coordination, or management
Experience working with vendors, volunteers, and cross-functional teams
Familiarity with event management platforms and/or CRM databases such as Raiser’s Edge, Cvent, or similar

Job Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Event Management, Hospitality, Marketing, Communications, Nonprofit Management, or related field or equivalent combination of education and relevant experience
Three years of previous experience in event planning, coordination, or management
Experience working with vendors, volunteers, and cross-functional teams
Familiarity with event management platforms and/or CRM databases such as Raiser’s Edge, Cvent, or similar
Experience in a nonprofit, fundraising, or development environment preferred
Experience supporting fundraising events and donor engagement activities preferred
Experience working with event committees, boards, or volunteer groups preferred
Strong project management skills including budget oversight preferred
Experience with sponsorship tracking and fulfillment preferred
Professional certification in event planning such as Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) preferred

Job Duties

Plan, coordinate, and execute proprietary fundraising events, donor cultivation and stewardship activities, ribbon-cutting ceremonies, and internal events
Manage and support event committees and recruit and oversee event volunteers
Serve as primary liaison with event vendors including venues, catering, and décor providers
Develop and manage event budgets ensuring cost-effective execution
Maintain event databases and management platforms to support planning, tracking, and reporting
Coordinate with internal and external stakeholders on event communications including messaging, creative, scripts, video content, and social media promotion
Lead on-site event execution including volunteer coordination, setup, event flow management, and breakdown