Partner Events Manager

Who is Water Mission?

Water Mission is a nonprofit Christian engineering organization that designs, builds, and implements safe water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) solutions for people in developing countries and disaster areas. Guided by love, excellence, and integrity, we are driven to share clean, safe water and God’s love with all. To date, we have served more than 7 million people in 57 countries. Working at Water Mission is as much a calling as it is a career, and we are searching for people with the courage, passion, and drive to help us change the world. Read more about our Statement of Faith and Christian Mission.

What is the opportunity?

The Partner Events Manager will help design and implement a wide range of events hosted by Water Mission’s Partnerships and Communications Division. Working cross-departmentally under the leadership of the Operations and Logistics Manager, this role develops, plans, and executes partner events held at headquarters and across the country. This role will oversee events from start to finish. This includes, but is not limited to, strategic input; execution; evaluation; and details such as coordinating production, AV, speaker support, leading volunteers, and developing timelines and budgets. Innovation and creativity, project management, and excellent listening and communication skills are critical components of this position.  This position reports to the Operations and Logistics Manager of Events and Engagement and will be based at Water Mission’s headquarters in Charleston, SC.

A successful Partner Events Manager will:

Represent Water Mission

• Maintain a strong Christian witness to colleagues, vendors, donors, volunteers, those we serve, and the general public.
• Maintain high-level knowledge of Water Mission’s organizational objectives, programmatic strategies, projects, and activities. Stay informed of local, regional, national, and global news and issues to support the Events and Engagement team effectively.
• Effectively communicate the global water crisis and Water Mission’s mission, vision, values, and solutions to various audiences.
• Represent Water Mission at events as assigned.

Event Management

• Develop events’ vision, messaging, goals, and metrics in consultation with stakeholders.
• Implement innovative event strategies to create engaging experiences that align with the ministry’s goals and drive attendance.
• Work with key stakeholders to develop programs and supporting materials for domestic events, including the annual Partners Summit, bi-annual Country Directors’ Reception, Volunteer Appreciation events, and other domestic events as assigned.
• Serve as event project manager, designing scopes, budgets, and schedules.
• Oversee event logistics by working directly with stakeholders to develop and maintain invitation lists, responses and registrations, reports, and other details. Ensure all relevant updates and conversations are input into Water Mission’s CRM, Raiser’s Edge.
• Maintain relationships with key event stakeholders, strategic partners, and vendors.
• Allocate event budgets and staff time for maximum efficiency.
• Conduct participant needs assessments to ensure event content relevance and value.
• Research industry and market trends that can enhance or impact events.
• Lead all day-of-event logistics for assigned events, including, but not limited to, set-up and tear-down, accommodations, food and beverage, AV, security, resources, merchandise, and insurance.
• Maintain a network of reliable vendors, negotiating contracts for maximum benefit.
• Collaborate with key stakeholders to develop event agendas that align with ministry priorities and vision.
• Work with the Marketing and Communications Department to create cost-efficient communications that support event goals and utilize a multi-channel approach to drive deeper engagement during and after the event.
• Work with the Marketing and Communications Department to ensure communication tools are created and effectively utilized for each event. Materials could include, but are not limited to, electronic and print invitations, agendas, programs, name tags, posters, videos, photographs, and social media posts.
• Work with Charleston Volunteers Manager to identify event staffing needs, provide appropriate training and supervision, and ensure volunteers have a positive experience.
• Work with key stakeholders to evaluate existing event strategies, propose opportunities for improvement, and identify possible new events.
• Utilize Water Mission’s project management software, Smartsheet, to develop and manage event timelines, workflows, and deliverables to achieve desired results.
• Approach all events with a continuous improvement mindset. Analyze data, request feedback, and adjust strategies accordingly to improve event experience, execution, efficiency, and effectiveness.

Operations and Logistics Support

• Coordinate with the Events & Engagement and Procurement teams to purchase and manage branded merchandise for Water Mission events.
• Lead a team of volunteers to pick, pack, and ship inventory necessary for Water Mission events, ensuring items are delivered on time and in good condition utilizing established shipping channels.
• Support touring event operations by booking flights and lodging for traveling staff, gathering documentation for permits, coordinating event vendors, and equipping event volunteers.
• Support operations for events and tours at Water Mission’s headquarters.

Additional Duties

• Educate and equip event staff, vendors, and volunteers to implement activities and meet goals.
• Additional duties as assigned, which may include supporting other team members.

What is required?

• A personal and growing relationship with Jesus Christ.
• Alignment with Water Mission’s Statement of Faith and Core Values of Love, Excellence, and Integrity.
• Consistently present a professional image and effectively communicate about the global water crisis and Water Mission’s mission, vision, values, and solutions.
• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Ability to travel on occasion to support events.
• Two or more years of event coordination experience, overseeing events with between 150-1,000 attendees.
• Experience with Raiser’s Edge and Smartsheet is a plus.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including constructively articulating ideas and feedback.
• Demonstrated ability to lead day-of-event volunteers and staff.
• Proven organizational skills, strong attention to detail, and a track record of meeting deadlines.
• Excellent project management skills.
• Thrives under pressure, with a proven ability to work in a highly fluid, quick-changing environment.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively with diverse groups of people.
• Flexibility to work periodic nights and weekends as required for ministry operations.
• Legal authorization to work in the United States without sponsorship.
• Home internet bandwidth strong enough to support video conferencing and other job-related responsibilities is required.
• Commitment to the organization's values and mission and ending the global water crisis.