Event & Marketing Communications Manager

JOB DESCRIPTION

About Lighthouse:

Lighthouse MI is a growing non-profit, established in 2019 when Lighthouse of Oakland County and South Oakland Shelter merged to offer a stronger collective response to poverty in Metro Detroit community. With over 80 years of combined experience, Lighthouse serves as a beacon of hope to our neighbors who need it most by offering assistance with emergency basic needs alongside housing programs and supportive services designed to support long-term economic stability. Lighthouse owns and operates Spero Housing Group, a subsidiary non-profit dedicated specifically to developing and operating high quality affordable and supportive housing for persons of low and moderate income, as well as HandUp, a community and crowdfunding platform serving 100+ homeless service agencies and their clients across the United States.

Position Summary

Lighthouse is seeking a highly-motivated and organized Event & Marketing Communications Manager to elevate and celebrate Lighthouse's work. The Event & Marketing Communications Manager will oversee two annual events and lead Lighthouse’s marketing strategies, including direct mail messaging, print and e-newsletters, web, email, and social media communications, and the Annual Report. This role combines strategic thinking with hands-on execution to drive engagement and support our mission through numerous channels. This position also provides event and marketing strategy and support for key organizational and outreach projects. This ideal candidate is collaborative, detail oriented, and able to work across departments effectively.

Lighthouse events reach large and diverse audiences about our work. This position is key to our success and requires a highly organized, creative, detail oriented and motivated person to serve as lead for event planning, sponsorship and revenue generation, management, execution and marketing.

Events include one fundraising event (The Rent Party) and the Annual Meeting. The position deals with a wide range of responsibilities that include: committee management, sponsorship solicitation, constituent communications, and project management. This position will work closely with development team leaders to identify opportunities.

With regards to marketing communications, this position will work to support both broad organizational objectives and fund development operations and communications. This position will serve as the main contact for the PR, web and design vendors, and efficiently leverage their contracts. This position will play an important role in developing messaging for direct mail and newsletter communications as well as analyzing outcomes to inform future strategies.

This position must be able to anticipate project needs, discern work priorities, and meet deadlines. The ideal candidate will focus on building strong and positive relationships with donors, volunteers, sponsors, vendors, and staff. This position is a full-time position, working 40 hours per week. Hybrid schedule is defined as dedicated office time, attendance at community events, external in-person meetings, and the ability to work remotely.

Responsibilities & Duties

Event Management

• Drive strategy to secure returning and new sponsors for the Rent Party
• Contribute and support strategy to ensure meaningful and well-attended Annual Meeting
• Update and manage the timeline, program, and task list for events
• Serve as the staff lead for The Rent Party committee
• Negotiate and manages costs and services pertaining to logistics and vendors
• In partnership with colleagues, recruit and coordinate event volunteers, awards, and entertainment; develop run of show, review speeches, write scripts, and coordinate rehearsals.
• Develop and manage the invitation, registration and attendee check-in processes
• Align post-event follow up with sponsors and donors through a Moves Management development strategy
• Provide advice and support to other Lighthouse events as needed

Marketing

Integrated Digital Communications and Marketing

• Develop and implement comprehensive data-driven digital marketing strategies aligned with organizational and programmatic goals
• Participate in managing content calendar across all digital platforms
• Manage and coordinate with colleagues and vendors to design, implement and create content for both email marketing and social media campaigns
• Schedule and deploy Constant Contact emails
• Manage analytics and performance measurement and reporting across email and social media platforms

Project-Based Marketing and Communications Support

• Manage the development, design, publication and dissemination of the Annual Report
• Serve as the lead key organizational initiatives and programs, including the development of the bi-annual newsletter and volunteer newsletter Contribute to the direct mail messaging and ensure alignment of direct mail campaigns with social and digital communications
• Create and/or oversee the development of marketing materials and collateral to support organizational goals
• Track and report on project-specific marketing metrics

Organizational Support, Brand Management and Strategy

• Contribute to Lighthouse’s overall marketing and communications strategy, working collaboratively to develop and implement plans that meet goals
• Manage organizational brand and positioning across all channels and programs
• Ensure all content is accurate, inclusive, engaging and brand-aligned
• Manage relationships with marketing vendors and contractors
• Collaborate with staff and volunteers to effectively communicate mission impact
• Develop and maintain tools and systems to manage the organization and department processes, assets and files

Website Management

• Oversee all aspects of website management, including content updates, user experience optimization, and technical maintenance
• Work with external IT teams to ensure website security, performance, functionality, and technical maintenance
• Manage website analytics and develop data-driven strategies for improvement

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree from a 4-year accredited college or university or master’s degree in a related field
• 2+ year's experience in a role directly related to event management and/or marketing
• Knowledgeable in Microsoft Office Suite and Google Apps
• Ability to use tact, discretion, and good judgment in working with confidential information
• Collaborative team player who is positive and solutions-oriented in a fast-paced nonprofit environment
• Flexibility and the capacity to prioritize tasks in a rapidly changing environment
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively with team members and donors
• Demonstrate reliability, responsiveness, and courtesy in all team and donor interactions
• Proven ability to work both independently and as part of a team; is proactive and self-motivated

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree from a 4-year accredited college or university or master’s degree in a related field
• 4+ years’ experience in a role directly related to marketing, communications and/or event management with practical experience in digital marketing
• Experience managing websites and CMS platforms
• Proven track record of directing successful digital marketing campaigns and knowledge of industry trends
• Advanced proficiency in analytics tools (Google Analytics)
• Experience developing email marketing strategies and proficiency with platforms
• Experience in developing social media strategies (organic and paid) and proficiency with management tools
• Strong project management skills with the ability to handle multiple priorities
• Experience with Blackbaud’s Raisers Edge
• Demonstrated experience with email marketing platforms (Constant Contact)
• Highly skilled at collaborating with others
• Ability to self-regulate and work independently while coordinating with other staff
• Proven ability to work effectively with racially and ethnically diverse clients and teams
• Ability to build consensus and resolve conflict; exhibits willingness to have difficult conversations
• Exceptional communication ability, both written and oral
• Ability to listen and accept feedback constructively
• Possess high emotional intelligence skills
• Unwavering personal integrity
• Ability to work in a fast paced, demanding, constantly changing environment.

Excellent benefit package including medical, dental, vision, life, matching 401(k), and more.

This job description describes the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to this position. It should not be construed as an exhaustive list of all required duties, responsibilities, and skills. Lighthouse is an equal opportunity employer, and does not discriminate against any qualified individual based on race, creed, religion, national origin, color, status as a veteran, gender or gender identity, age, sexual preference or orientation, marital status, disability, income, weight, or any other basis prohibited by law.

Applicants should submit a cover letter and resume online via JobScore.

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis, until the position is filled.

No phone or e-mail inquiries, please.

Last updated on Jan 8, 2025