Events Manager

ORGANIZATION:

Rainier Scholars is a comprehensive academic enrichment program that supports students of color over a 12-year journey from 5th grade to college graduation. We seek to serve those who are most under-represented on college campuses and have the greatest number of barriers to achieving a college education: 85% qualify as low-income90% would be the first in their family to earn a college degree. Our program offers rigorous academics leadershipdevelopmentand personalized support for scholars providing access to educational pathways and myriad opportunities previously unimagined.

With a budget size of $10 million a staff team of 50 full-time employees and 675 scholars and families whom we currently serve in Seattle and Tacoma Rainier Scholars hasestablisheda positive brand for our unwavering commitment to education proven success rate and sustainable impact. We grow new generations of diverse college graduates career professionals and community leaders.

POSITIONSUMMARY:

The Events Manager willserve as the lead project manager position will report to the Director of Donor Relations while working in partnership with a highly effective creative and accountable Advancement team at Rainier Scholars.

In addition toserving asthelogistics leader the Events Manager will oversee and executeattendeeregistrationand role will alsobe responsible fordeveloping and implementing stakeholder-specific communication plans ensuring tailored messaging and content for distinct audience segments including attendees volunteers sponsors vendors and internal team members throughout all phases of the Scholars will hold its Annual Luncheon on Wednesday April 22 community eventis a gathering of 1000 people and celebrates the incredible achievements of our scholars families and alumni. The event also serves as a critical annual fundraiser for the organization.

The ideal candidatewill be a strong project manager clear communicatoradaptableproblem-solver witha proventrack recordof managing and executing will have a strong understanding of best practices for large-scale fundraising events and event-registration platforms with the ability to quickly learn new systems and workflows and apply the knowledge to inform recommendations and operational will have the capacity to create trusting positive relationships with staff and external partners in addition to managing vendor relationshipseffectively.

KEY DUTIES&RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Oversee all eventlogistics including budgeting project management vendor relations and event execution ensuring excellence in all phases of event production.
• Leads day-to-day event execution while working closely with and under the direction of the Director of Donor Relations who provides oversight and approval for key decisions.
• Lead and execute theattendeemanagementin collaborationwith theAdvancementOperationsSpecialist; includingtheevent and ticketing webpage/platform guest registrationgeneral guest communication and day-of troubleshooting.
• Lead and executevolunteermanagementincludingdefiningvolunteerrolesand responsibilitiesproviding volunteertraining andcoordinatingvolunteer communication leading up to event day.
• Collaborateinternally with the Advancementteam andcross-functional teams (Marketing & Communications Executive Leadership Programs etc.) to ensure event design communications and content are fully aligned with Rainier Scholars brand and eventobjectives.
• Develop clear communication plans for stakeholders ensuringtimelyupdates and detailed event briefing documents.
• Manage vendor relationshipsincludingthe RFP process contracting and managing scope of work.
• EnsureRainier Scholarsvalues are uplifted throughtheevent and that the organizations strategic prioritiesareeffectivelyhighlighted.
• Lead post-event analysis by overseeing metrics analytics and feedback loops to evaluate event success drive continuous improvement and refine strategies for future events.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• A minimum of 4 years of experience in event planning andmanagementincludingspecificexperienceinlarge-scale fundraising events.
• Strong organizational and project management skills. Ability to execute projects with many moving parts.
• Experience creating and adhering to a budget.
• Keen attention to detail.
• Comfortworkingindependentlyandcollaborativelyina fast-paced environmentand calm under pressure.
• Self-starter who is highly collaborative.
• Exceptional leadership and communication skills.
• Ability to communicate and negotiate with external vendors and service providers.
• Results-oriented mindsetwithcreativeproblem-solvingskillset.
• StrongworkingknowledgeofMicrosoftproducts(365SharePointTeams).
• Experience with attendee management platforms and project management tools like Asana a plus.

COMPENSATION BENEFITS & WORKING ENVIRONMENT:

Compensation for this role is$35 40/hourcommensuratewith experience apart-timenon-exempttemporarypositionwitha four (4)month termfrommid-January through late-April employees are eligible for paid sick and safe timein accordance withWashington State hours and schedule to bedeterminedand communicated with your manager.

Priority consideration will be given to candidates whosubmittheir applications byJanuary 8 2026. Position will remain questions please reach out to Carina Schubert:.

Our work is rooted in ensuring that people from marginalized communitieshave the opportunity tothrive in education and careers that they are passionate about. Rainier Scholars is an equal opportunity employer committed to promotingan equitableand inclusive environment for our scholars families and staff. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and strongly encourage people of color first-generation college graduates and people from working-class backgrounds to apply.

Required Experience:

Manager