Events & Donor Engagement Coordinator

The Organization

The mission of Wild Salmon Center (WSC) is to promote the conservation and sustainable use of wild salmon ecosystems across the Pacific Rim. We identify science-based solutions to sustain wild salmonids and the human communities and livelihoods that depend on them. WSC is an international organization with a staff of 34. The home office is in Portland, Oregon.

The Position

As Wild Salmon Center’s constituent and donor base has grown, there’s an increasing need to provide strategic engagement opportunities to foster a deeper understanding of WSC’s mission and conservation impact. To meet this growing need, WSC is opening a new and exciting position within the Development team to take over the planning, logistics, and execution of advocacy and fundraising events and field visits for major funders. The Events and Donor Engagement Coordinator will create and plan a diverse array of event and engagement opportunities across the Pacific Rim, including advocacy events to rally the public during key campaign moments, fundraising dinners in major cities, and visits for groups of donors to experience WSC’s program areas and remote watersheds.

This position will work with the Development team to prioritize, coordinate, and plan WSC’s advocacy and fundraising events and executive presentations, as well as collaborate with key program staff to curate culturally informed, high-impact field visits to program sites. To be successful, the person in this position will enjoy working simultaneously on multiple projects in a fast-paced, collaborative team environment, where the abilities to rise to a challenge, prioritize competing requests, show initiative, exercise independent judgment, and maintain strong project management skills and attention to detail are essential. Strategic and creative thinking are also key. This position is based in Portland, Oregon.

Responsibilities

• Comprehensively coordinate WSC events, including the development of programming and run-of-show schedules, invitation creation and tracking of RSVPs, vendor coordination, on-site management, and follow-up to attendees.
• In collaboration with fundraising and program staff, develop itineraries and manage logistics for major donor field visits that showcase WSC’s conservation impact while incorporating cultural connections that are relevant and unique to each program area.
• With assistance from Sr. Manager of Corporate and Donor Relations, coordinate all external presentations for CEO which includes assisting with the drafting of PowerPoint presentations, venue coordination, and tech support as needed.
• Research, propose, and secure possible event venues and vendors for functions based on budget, geography, accessibility, aesthetic appeal, and availability.
• Develop benchmarks for success prior to an event, evaluate their effectiveness post-event and incorporate improvements into future planning.
• Track and report on overall event and outing expenses regularly.
• Assist with soliciting in-kind donation requests to support events as needed.
• Recruit and manage event volunteers as needed.
• Manage WSC’s events and donor site visit calendar, while ensuring new event commitments will help meet strategic programmatic or fundraising goals.
• Prepare relevant briefing materials for both attendees and staff ahead of events and outings.
• Research and propose new event formats or engagement opportunities to meet emerging programmatic and fundraising goals.
• Help represent WSC at tabling event opportunities as needed.
• Other duties as assigned.

Key Qualifications

• Minimum of 2+ years of relevant event planning experience that highlights impact and incorporates creative storytelling.
• Exceptional communication skills, written and verbal.
• Ability to work in collaboration with diverse stakeholders.
• Great time-management and organizational skills.
• Ability to anticipate and identify gaps in information and take action to find solutions.
• Effective team player with a demonstrated collaborative working style.
• Willingness to be flexible and think strategically as new opportunities and competing needs arise.
• Proficiency with PowerPoint and collaborative web-based communication tools (Zoom, Google suite).
• Flexibility and willingness to work occasional night and weekend hours and travel for events, as needed.
• Some nonprofit experience preferred.
• Enthusiasm for the mission of Wild Salmon Center and an understanding of environmental issues strongly preferred.

Education

Bachelor’s degree in related field preferred, or equivalent experience.

 Compensation

Pay range for this position at 1 FTE is between $56,000 - $60,000, commensurate with experience.

Additionally, a comprehensive benefits package, designed to help our employees stay healthy and plan for their financial future, includes:

• 100% employer-paid Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance (includes employee/spouse or employee/dependent(s), as well as a partial premium for full family coverage)
• Short- and Long-term Disability Insurance
• Life Insurance
• High-matching 401(k) plan
• 11 paid Holidays with additional generous PTO
• Flexible Spending Account (health & dependent care)
• Support for continuing education
• Cell phone allowance & monthly stipend
• Flexible hybrid work schedule
• Outstanding work culture

To Apply:

Submit cover letter and resume (2-page maximum) to careers@wildsalmoncenter.org and include,

“Events and Donor Engagement Coordinator” in the subject line. Please include in your cover letter where you learned of this recruitment.

BEGINNING 3/21/23 WSC WILL ACCEPT APPLICATIONS ON A ROLLING BASIS UNTIL THE POSITION IS FILLED.

Wild Salmon Center is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. We will gladly provide reasonable accommodation to anyone whose specific disability prevents them from completing an application or participating in this recruitment process. Please reach out to the contact below in advance to request assistance.