Imagine being part of a global movement that, through the transformative power of sport, opens hearts and minds towards people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to create inclusive communities all over the world. At Special Olympics Canada, our team includes people just like you: dynamic, innovative, empowered, passionate and committed to making a difference. Join us as part of our Fund Development team, helping to manage key fundraising and stewardship events and to manage and steward leading Canadian businesses and foundations that are part of our national partner portfolio.

ORGANIZATION BACKGROUND:

• Special Olympics Canada (SOC), a leading program within the worldwide movement, is dedicated to enriching the lives of Canadians with an intellectual or developmental disability through the transformative power and joy of sport.
• Special Olympics empowers children, youth and adults with an intellectual or developmental disability to realize their full potential and diversity and inclusion are values that are central to the Special Olympics movement.
• SOC is a national charitable grassroots organization that provides sport training and competition, as well as opportunities off the field of play, for more than 42,000 athletes of all ages and abilities.
• More than 21,000 volunteers, including 14,000 trained coaches, currently support Special Olympics programs every day in over 365 communities across Canada.
• SOC’s programs are supported by corporate sponsorship, fundraising activities, government funding, foundations, individual donors and the involvement of volunteers in communities across the country.
• Special Olympics in Canada follows a federated program delivery model with a National Office and twelve provincial/territorial incorporated Chapters.

 POSITION SUMMARY:

The Senior Manager, Partnerships & Events is responsible for overseeing several vital fundraising and stewardship activities and events and supporting a portfolio that includes managing select National Partners.  Event and stewardship responsibilities include managing SOC’s signature fundraiser- LIMITLESS: The Special Olympics Canada Gala – and the planning and hosting of National Partners and VIPs at its National and World Games Experiences, including the upcoming 2025 Special Olympics World Winter Games in Turin, Italy. Partner management responsibilities include servicing a small number of SOC partners, ensuring regular and on-going communication and reporting, and helping to oversee these select National Partners.

The position works collaboratively and cross functionally with the Marketing and Communications, Finance and Sport departments, also providing support on special projects.

 JOB DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Manage the planning and execution of LIMITLESS: The Special Olympics Gala, which takes place annually in November, working in conjunction with our event production partner, SOC colleagues, SOC Board and the volunteer committee on all aspects on the event, including sales, production, live and silent auction, logistics, sponsorship, sponsor and National Partner recognition and on-site activation;
• Manage and serve as the day-to-day lead, working in conjunction with a variety of SO departments, in the planning of SOC’s National and World Games Experiences, responsible for the planning and execution of the hosting of National Partners, Board members, Chapter representatives and other VIPs. Responsibilities include the planning of all on-the-ground events and activities, negotiating and securing transportation, meals and hotels, liaising with Special Olympics International (for the World Games), creating daily itineraries and hosting collateral, overall management of the Games Experience budget, hosting guests at the Games, and collecting feedback from attendees and staff members following the Games;
• Manage and oversee select Special Olympics Canada National Partners, acting as the primary relationship manager for designated corporate and foundation partners, including regular management of activities, and on-going communication;
• Support various partner related activities and planning including stewardship and recognition of National Partners at Special Olympics Canada’s Awards Night, Special Olympics Team Canada World Games Send Off and other events as determined;
• Work cross functionally across the organization including with the sport, finance and marketing departments on special projects such as the national health framework, grant applications and additional funding opportunities, Global Week of Inclusion, and other SOC programs and campaigns that may arise;
• Oversee and support any new 3^rd party events;
• Provide reports and updates on activity to the Senior Director, Business Development and the Vice President, Fund Development; and
• Provide other administrative and general support to business development and partnership activities as required.

EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS:

• A bachelor’s degree from a post-secondary institution;
• 8+ years of progressive experience working in event management and sponsor activation;
• Excellent at managing and overseeing events including strong analytical and problem solving skills, creativity and resourcefulness, an ability to multi-task and be adaptive and nimble, active listening skills, and composure under pressure;
• Experience servicing, managing and stewarding partnerships;
• Excellent supplier and volunteer management skills and demonstrated high level of customer service; proven ability to service and steward senior executives and VIPs;
• Highly motivated and pro-active with strong project management skills, especially in creating and adhering to budgets and critical paths;
• Exceptional verbal and written communication (proposals, letters, reports, meeting minutes etc.) skills;
• High level of confidentiality, discretion and diplomacy;
• Ability to work in a flexible team environment with a focus on both internal and external service;
• Being passionate about sport and its transformative power on individuals is a benefit for this role;
• Proficiency working in Microsoft Office software applications including Power Point and Excel;
• Bilingualism is an asset; and
• Ability and willingness to do limited domestic and international travel and weekend work.

 RESPONSIBILITY FOR SUPERVISION:

• This position does not include responsibility for supervision of employees;

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• The position is performed in a hybrid (home/office) work environment (currently two days per week in office), primarily sitting and working on a computer.
• The position is based in SOC’s office in Toronto at 21 St. Clair Ave. East.
• Occasional travel and weekend work is required to attend events.
• This position will likely be required to travel to the Special Olympics World Winter Games Turin, Italy (March 6 – 13, 2025)

COMPENSATION:

The salary will be commensurate with skills and experience.

APPLICATION DETAILS:

An equal opportunity employer committed to employing a diverse workforce, SOC invites all interested individuals to apply and encourages applications from people with disabilities, Indigenous, Black, and racialized individuals, as well as people from a diversity of ethnic and cultural origins, sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions. SOC is committed to providing an inclusive and barrier-free work environment, beginning with the recruitment process. If you have restrictions that need to be accommodated to fully participate in any phase of the recruitment process, please advise SOC in confidence.

If you do not see yourself fully reflected in every job requirement listed on this posting, we encourage you to consider the role. Research has shown candidates from underrepresented groups often only apply when they feel 100% qualified. We encourage applicants who are members of groups that have been marginalized on any grounds enumerated under the Ontario Human Rights Code to consider this opportunity.

With gratitude and respect, we acknowledge that the Special Olympics Canada office is located on the traditional territories of many nations including the Huron-Wendat, the Seneca, the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, and the Mississaugas of the Credit.  We also recognize that this land remains the home to many diverse First Nations, Métis, Inuit and Indigenous Peoples today.

If you are looking for an outstanding challenge, working with a great team, apply now! Please email a resume and cover letter by Friday September 6, 2024, to adcruze@specialolympics.ca with “Application for Sr. Manager, Partnerships & Events” in the subject line.   Only those selected for an interview will be contacted.