Manager of Special Events

What You Will Do

• Logistics and Collaboration: Provide logistical planning, set standards of excellence, and ensure alignment across the organization. Support colleagues and external partners, reduce silos, share best practices, and support one another in creating effective, mission-driven experiences.
• Core Gatherings: Plan and execute Chicago-based convenings, including staff celebrations, four all-staff meetings, the staff appreciation dinner, Christmas Mass and luncheon, two meetings each of the Board of Governors, the Executive Committee, and the Finance Committee, as well as the annual Board dinner.
• Distinctive Experiences: Lead planning—often with outside logistical support—for Catholic Extension’s biennial Mission Bishops Conference and the Thanksgiving Celebration, ensuring these high-profile gatherings reflect Catholic Extension’s mission and impact.
• Cultivation Events: Manage up to 15 smaller cultivation events annually outside Chicago, designed to strengthen ties with major gift prospects (in collaboration with gift officers) and with priests and parish leaders (in collaboration with mission officers). While the Manager is not expected to attend all, travel is required.
• Seamless Operations: Oversee logistics, budgets, vendor management, and CRM (Virtuous) data for events you lead, ensuring each one runs smoothly, responsibly, and with Catholic Extension’s tradition of service.
• Brand Management: Manage branded apparel and ensure consistency across event communications and collateral.

Ideal Candidate Profile

• Professional Experience and Skills: Bachelor’s degree and at least 5 years of professional experience, ideally in a midsize or larger nonprofit, university, or business setting. Demonstrated expertise in event planning and project management, with a record of delivering high-quality gatherings that advance mission goals. Strong organizational skills and attention to detail; able to manage multiple projects in a fast-paced environment while solving problems with resourcefulness and initiative. Supervisory experience. Open to learning new tools, adopting innovative approaches, and leveraging technology to improve results. Willingness to travel for cultivation events outside Chicago.
• Personal Qualities and Mission Commitment: Collaborative and creative team player who can also work independently. Collegial, mission-centered presence, with the ability to build trust and foster community. Knowledge of the Catholic Church and its teachings, with sensitivity to serving faith-based communities. Comfortable with ambiguity and proactive in making decisions. Positive attitude, humility, and sense of humor.