About the role:

This position will oversee the planning and execution of L.A. Works large-scale Days of Service Events, focusing first on the national MLK Day of Service Event. The ideal candidate will have strong experience in event production, excellent communications skills, be a self-starter, and have experience working with and managing volunteers and/or teams. 

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Commemorating Dr. Martin Luther King Jr’s dedication to building equitable communities, MLK Day is the only federal holiday designated as a national day of service. Each year, L.A. Works organizes a large day of service on this holiday to honor Dr. King’s legacy and to engage Angelenos in the community. The event in recent years has hosted as many as 1,500 volunteers, and we seek to grow that number each year under the leadership of this role. Feel free to check out this page for a video and more information about the 2023 event.

 

Essential job functions:

The list that follows is not intended to be comprehensive; it is intended to provide a representative summary of the major responsibilities of the position. Incumbents may not be required to perform all roles listed, and may be required to perform additional, position-specific tasks.

 

• Oversee the design, planning, and execution of the annual MLK Day of Service event (to be hosted at the LA Coliseum in 2024) to ensure that maximum impact is achieved. Including: 

  • Lead interdepartment event team to leverage existing expertise, reach, and involvement. 

  • Shepherd event vision and oversee logistics like layout and flow, decor/signage, staging, parking, and vendor management.

  • Manage nonprofit partner communication, volunteer project design and management, post-event surveys, and participant experiences.

  • Ensure that the event includes experiential educational and advocacy programming..

  • Train and manage volunteer leaders and event crew.

• In collaboration with the Development team, manage the financial growth of MLK Day and other signature events through realistic goal-setting and strategic planning.

• Manage the event budget, supplier contracts, and payment of supplier invoices.

• Recruit and manage a volunteer committee to support event planning (start in year 2). 

• Update and collaborate with the communications team on the event to procure any media-worthy guests/celebrities attending, and any auction prizes that could provide positive publicity.

• Support the Corporate Department with planning and executing additional small virtual, remote, and in-person corporate volunteer events from ideation to execution. 

• Attend non-MLK Day corporate events and lead volunteers through projects.

• Assist with maintaining a small warehouse of light construction equipment and volunteer event project supplies. 

• Help load and unload event supplies. 

 

About you:

• A minimum of three years progressively responsible event planning experience. 

• Knowledge of the nonprofit sector; understanding of volunteer management and engagement practices. 

• Collaborative, humble, responds well to constructive feedback, and is a team player.

• Positive attitude with a customer service mindset, excellent interpersonal skills, and ability to relate and interact with a diverse team.

• Excellent judgment and sound decision-making skills.

• Motivated self-starter who is able to identify initial and next steps needed and performs well with minimal day-to-day oversight.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

• Extremely organized and detail-oriented.

• Ability to balance multiple competing projects and priorities.

• Flexible with a strong desire to learn.

• Ability to be creative and resourceful to develop new, unique programs and initiatives. 

• Great event planning, organizational skills and detail-oriented nature. 

• Flexibility to respond effectively to changing priorities and fluctuating workloads. 

 

Additional requirements:

• Ability to lift up to 30 pounds. 

• Valid driver’s license.

• Access to personal car for occasional travel throughout Los Angeles County.

• Events may occur on evenings or weekends, flexible schedule required. 

• Experience with (or can quickly adopt) Zoom, Google Drive, Microsoft Teams, and Salesforce.

• Participate in an L.A. Works Taskforce (an organization-wide, collaborative team).

• In-person support at L.A. Works’ large-scale signature events and other organization-wide commitments when necessary.

• Initiate NSWOP and criminal history check prior to hire.

• Any and all other duties assigned by the supervisor.

 

Classification and salary:

The MLK Day of Service Coordinator is a full-time non-exempt employee of L.A. Works, is employed at-will, and reports directly to the Director of Corporate Engagement. As an employee of L.A. Works, the MLK Day of Service Coordinator is subject to the policies and procedures outlined in the Employee Handbook. Targeted hiring salary is $55,000. 

 

Salary is commensurate with experience and internal equity. L.A. Works offers a competitive benefit package including health insurance, professional development opportunities, a non-match 401k, and an open vacation policy - we believe you should take the time you need, when you need it! This job description doesn't constitute a contract of employment and that the company may exercise its employment-at-will rights at any time.

 

COVID-19 safety:

L.A. Works requires its employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19, subject to certain exceptions as required by law. All employees are also required to submit to additional masking and social distancing requirements.

 

This job description doesn't constitute a contract of employment and L.A. Works may exercise its employment-at-will rights at any time. L.A. Works is an equal opportunity employer committed to workplace diversity. 

 

To apply:

Please email a cover letter describing why you are a good fit for this role, along with your resume and a list of references, as a single .PDF document to hr3@laworks.com.

 

Background check:

As a finalist for a job, you will be subject to a routine background check. The resulting report of your conviction history (if any) will be used to determine whether the nature of your conviction conflicts with the specific duties and responsibilities of the job. Having a conviction history does not automatically preclude you from a job with L.A. Works. Qualified Applicants with Criminal Histories will be considered for employment in a manner consistent with the requirements of the California Consumer Reporting Agencies Act and Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance.

 

L.A. Works is an Equal Opportunity Employer

L.A. Works encourages all applicants to apply and seeks to hire qualified staff who reflect the rich diversity of the communities we serve.  We define diversity in broad terms to include race, ethnicity, nationality, age, gender, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, disability, geography, socio-economic status and other unique attributes that make us who we are.