Business Planning & Policy Events Coordinator

Overview

Youth Villages has been a national leader in the implementation of research-based treatment philosophies in the field of children's mental and behavioral health. Our commitment to helping troubled children and their families find success spans 30+ years and includes a comprehensive array of programs and services. With a high-performing and dedicated staff of more than 3,400 working in 24 states as well as the District of Columbia and an annual operating budget over $400 million, the organization serves more than 36,000 emotionally and behaviorally challenged youth annually through its comprehensive, evidence-based programs: intensive in-home services, residential treatment, foster care, adoption, group homes, transition-age youth services, specialized crisis services, and intensive residential treatment.

The organization, founded in Memphis, Tennessee in 1986, measures its success in reunited families and in children who are able to live at home and do well in school. Since 1994, when Youth Villages began an emphasis on helping children in the least restrictive environment -- preferably in their own homes -- success rates have soared: in 2020, 87% of the children who received at least 60 days of service at Youth Villages were still living successfully in the community one year after their discharge. Youth Villages’ success rate is extraordinary when compared with a 60 percent failure rate for traditional child welfare services.

President Obama recognized Youth Villages as a nonprofit with “promising ideas that are transforming communities.” Youth Villages Chief Executive Officer, Patrick Lawler, was named one of “America’s Best Leaders” by U.S. News and World Report and the Center for Public Leadership at Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government.

If you are looking for a positive career move where you are meeting the challenges of life and striving to make a positive difference, then Youth Villages is the place for you. We are looking for people with a strong sense of purpose and focus to continually build confidence in yourself and our organization.

For more information, please visit www.youthvillages.org.

Responsibilities

Position Overview

Under the supervision of the Multidisciplinary Team Manager, the Business Planning & Policy Events Specialist will support program leadership with the planning and execution of all special events focused on the department’s growth, business development, and public policy efforts. Special events include, but are not limited to, a national transition-aged youth convening, Impact Lab, staff retreat, and employee conference. The ideal candidate will have excellent written and oral communication skills, strong attention to detail, and exceptional organizational skills.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Manage all aspects of large- and small-scale event planning for the department.
• Coordinate with internal staff, clients, vendors, and others to establish needs for events, and serve as liaison to senior level executives, co-hosts, and industry leaders throughout the planning process.
• Research resources, make site visits, and lead pre-event meetings when necessary to help leadership make decisions about event design.
• Plan and facilitate logistics for all events, including contract negotiations, guest lists, venue preparation, presentation materials, security, catering, entertainment, transportation, equipment, decor, and marketing materials.
• Oversee guest experiences from conception through post-event, managing on-site preparations, production, and event breakdown, ensuring consistent, high-level service throughout all phases.
• Maintain and build a comprehensive database of industry contacts, vendors, and venues.
• Troubleshoot and handle any issues that arise on the event day.
• Coordinate and delegate tasks to teammates and event co-hosts, as needed.
• Adherence to strict deadlines and balancing competing priorities.
• Establish and maintain relationships with event vendors and venues.
• Create and adhere to event budget, and track expenses in relation to event budget.
• Maintain a working knowledge of the complex needs of a wide variety of events.
• Work closely with Youth Villages Marketing and Communications department to coordinate digital/print materials for events.

Work with Marketing and Communications staff to ensure consistency with theme, brand, and design guidelines.

Travels to Youth Villages offices or assigned locations as needed. Travel estimated to be at 25%.

As a member of the Business Planning & Policy department, must be flexible with additional job duties, including but not limited to, supporting growth and business development strategies and collaborating with state leadership regarding the needs of their jurisdictions.

Qualifications

Education and Experience Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree (required)
• 2+ years of national conference or large event planning experience (required)
• Previous marketing and advertising experience (preferred)
• Previous project management/coordination experience (preferred)
• Proficiency with event planning/project management software tools (preferred)
• Meticulous organizational skills
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office
• Ability to create and negotiate contracts
• Excellent oral and written communication skills

COVID-19 Vaccine Requirement

As of October 15, 2021, Youth Villages has required the COVID-19 vaccine for all employees, excluding those with an approved medical or religious exemption, as a condition of employment to help ensure the safety of all employees and youth and families served.

Benefits

• Medical, Dental, Prescription Drug Coverage and Vision
• 401(k)
• 2 weeks paid vacation
• 12 paid sick days per year
• 11  paid holidays
• Mileage & Cell Phone Reimbursement (when applicable)
• Paid parental leave
• Tuition & licensure reimbursement

Youth Villages is an equal opportunity employer and provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

Youth Villages is committed to not only advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace but also in our work with children and young adults. We know that children, families and young people of color can face inequity in child welfare and justice systems, and we train our employees to build the skills they need to work with the communities that we serve, as well as, other employees from different cultures and backgrounds. Youth Villages is opposed to racism in any of its forms and is committed to inclusion, equity, and diversity. We believe that respect for each other is crucial in the work that we do each day.

We can recommend jobs specifically for you! Click here to get started.