Lead, Events & Experiences

Groves Learning Organization St. Louis Park Minnesota

Full-Time 12 Months Exempt

Salary Range: $58000 - $78000

At Groves Learning Organization events are about more than filling a room.

They are opportunities to bring people closer to our mission introduce new people to the work deepen relationships with those who already believe in us and inspire investment in what is possible for students with learning differences.

We are looking for a Lead Events & Experiences who can bring all of that to part of our Advancement Team you will help create the experiences that allow donors sponsors alumni community leaders families and future supporters to see that impact firsthand.

This is a role for someone who loves creating exceptional experiences but also understands why they matter. You can manage the details build the run-of-show work with vendors welcome guests support volunteers and make the room feel effortlessbut you are also thinking about the bigger picture:

Who should be here How do we deepen their connection to Groves What happens after the event And how can this experience help grow the community of people investing in our mission

If that sounds like the way you think we would love to meet you.

Groves Learning Organization exists to empower every learner to discover their brilliance.

Through specialized education diagnostic services tutoring literacy partnerships and other learning supports Groves serves students and families who experience learning differences and helps educators bring evidence-based literacy instruction to more learners.

Our work changes trajectoriesand philanthropy helps make that work possible.

You will develop and execute an annual strategy for events and experiences that supports Groves fundraising donor engagement sponsorship and community-building goals.

Every gathering should have a reason for existingand youll help us be intentional about the audience experience desired outcome follow-up and measures of success.

You will lead event planning from idea through execution including:

• Timelines and project plans

• Registration and guest experience

• Vendors and production partners

• Budgets and expense management

• Invitations and event communications

• Volunteers and host committees

• Event logistics

• Run-of-show

• On-site execution

• Post-event follow-up and evaluation

You will be the person who can see both the hundred small details that make an event successful and the larger strategy those details are serving.

Our goal isnt simply for someone to attend a Groves event.

We want them to leave more connected to our mission than when they arrived.

You will partner with our fundraising team to strengthen relationships with existing donors and sponsors while helping us welcome new supporters corporate partners community connectors volunteers and prospective donors into the Groves community.

Youll help ensure that the energy created during an event continues afterward through thoughtful stewardship and intentional follow-up.

Youll help identify cultivate and steward event sponsors and community partners.

Youll also work closely with colleagues across Advancement to connect event participation with annual giving major gifts institutional relationships sponsorship opportunities and volunteer leadership.

We want to learn from what we do.

Youll help track outcomes such as:

• Event and sponsorship revenue

• Net revenue and return on investment

• Attendance and engagement

• New donor and prospect relationships

• Sponsor acquisition and renewal

• Participant retention

• Follow-up and conversion

• Growth of Groves philanthropic network

Youll use that informationnot simply to report resultsbut to make the next experience even stronger.

This role reports to the Director of Development and works closely with Advancement colleagues responsible for individual giving annual giving institutional giving data and insights and marketing.

Youll also collaborate with leaders throughout Groves including Finance program teams executive leadership volunteers vendors community partners and members of our Board.

We believe the strongest experiences happen when people work across boundaries toward a shared purpose.

• Love creating experiences people remember.

• Are highly organized without losing sight of the bigger picture.

• Can manage multiple timelines vendors personalities and priorities without dropping the ball.

• Understand that hospitality is fundamentally about relationships.

• Are energized by meeting donors sponsors community leaders volunteers and new people.

• Think beyond the event to what happens before and after it.

• Can manage a budget and care about both impact and return on investment.

• Enjoy building somethingnot simply maintaining what already exists.

• Are comfortable working collaboratively across departments.

• Take initiative solve problems and remain steady when plans inevitably change.

• Care deeply about creating experiences that reflect the mission and values of the organization you represent.

We are most interested in what you can bring to the role.

A bachelors degree or equivalent combination of education and relevant experience is preferred along with approximately three or more years of experience in areas such as:

• Nonprofit or fundraising events

• Donor experiences

• Sponsorship development

• Event production

• Hospitality

• Constituent or community engagement

• Volunteer management

• Development or Advancement

Experience managing vendors budgets volunteers timelines and complex event logistics is especially helpful.

Because events occasionally happen outside the traditional workday this position requires some evening and weekend availability.

During your first year we hope youll help Groves:

Create more intentional experiences.
Strengthen the connection between events and philanthropy.
Grow sponsorship and community partnerships.
Deepen relationships with current supporters.
Introduce new people to our mission.
And build clearer pathways from participation to investment.

Most importantly youll help people experience Groves in a way that makes them want to become part of what comes next.

Our values guide how we show up for students families donors partners and one another:

Authenticity We communicate honestly and build trust.

Collaboration We work across teams toward shared outcomes.

Compassion We recognize and value the humanity strengths and experiences of others.

Discovery We stay curious learn and continually improve.

Tenacity We persist with purpose especially when the work is difficult.

At Groves we believe meaningful work happens when talented people bring their ideas their strengths and their whole selves to a shared mission.

If youre excited by the idea of creating experiences that build community strengthen relationships and ultimately help more learners discover their brilliance we hope youll apply.