Job Opportunities

Manhattan Beach Education Foundation
Community Relations & Events Director
Job Description

The Manhattan Beach Education Foundation is a community driven fundraising organization, which supplements state funding for programs that inspire learning, enrich teaching, and promote innovation and academic excellence in the public schools of Manhattan Beach. Since MBEF was founded in 1983, it has provided a means for parents to invest in superior public education for their children in the Manhattan Beach Unified School District.

Objective: Manage community relations and communications efforts to increase awareness and donor support. Establish and maintain partnerships with MBEF donors including parents, PTAs and local/regional businesses. Work collaboratively with design partner on overall image and promotion. Coordinate events to share MBEF mission, including donor appreciation events and the Manhattan Wine Auction. Develop and manage department budgets.

Reports to the Executive Director.

MBEF Annual Appeal

Establish goals, strategies and tactics of the campaign with MBEF Executive Director and President
Lead recruitment, engagement, training and management of 20 Site Reps across seven school campuses
Track and present outcomes on a regular basis to board and stakeholders
Maintain event and donor databases, run reports to identify and track
Establish the communication strategy for the Annual Appeal, including regular emails and messaging to the community
Partner with graphic design partner to create deliverables, including flyers and banners
Provide supplemental reporting/stats on fundraising to the Executive Director, Site Reps and Board of Directors, to keep stakeholders apprised of progress and performance
Coordinate 4000+ ASK letters and work with the Board of Directors to personalize each message
Schedule and coordinate MBEF speakers and presentations at back-to-school-nights and grade level parent meetings
Coordinate and participate in donor appreciation activities

Manhattan Wine Auction (MWA) and Stewardship Events

Work with Executive Director to create an event budget and monitor costs
Solicit and manage all volunteers who help coordinate and implement the Wine Auction
Coordinate event logistics, including registration and attendee tracking, presentation and materials support and pre-and-post-event evaluations, sponsorships, invite lists, space needs, security, musicians, seating and decorations, vendors, speakers
Work with the Board Wine Auction Chair to oversee all Committee Chairs
Support the Development Director in the solicitation of corporate table sales and sponsorships, donations from major sponsors, wineries and restauranteurs
Support the management of all sponsor recognition in Wine Auction materials
Project manage office staff work on MWA vendors, print materials and procurement
Assist Wine Advisory Board volunteers as needed
Continually strive for improved solutions and adaption of ticketing and auction software processes
Coordinate and monitor event timelines to ensure deadlines are met
Collaborate with external design partner to develop event invitations and publicity materials

MBEF Communications

Coordinate MBEF messaging on seven school campuses and websites through distribution of collateral, content in weekly e-blasts, visibility and linkage on school websites
Direct MBEF’s electronic newsletter, including coordinating and drafting content
Manage social media platforms, including Facebook
Coordinate press outreach for announcements and events

Hard Skills:

Event software experience
Donor database experience – preferably Raiser’s Edge
Microsoft Office, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint
Constant Contact, Mail Chimp, or similar platforms

Soft Skills:

Excellent communications skills, both written and oral
Passion for MBEF’s mission and Manhattan Beach community
Positive, enthusiastic, professional image
Ability to resolve conflicts, including handling unsatisfied donors, corporations, or sponsors
Detail oriented and efficient time manager
Ability to work under time pressures with multiple priorities and deadlines with accuracy
Adaptable and innovative – thinks on his/her feet
Quick-learner, self-starter and self-motivated
Collaborative – works well with others
Strong analytical skills and ability to reason well
Effective at expressing gratitude and appreciation
Highly diplomatic and able to maintain discretion with confidential information

Experience: