Manager, Community Engagement- Area 3

Special Olympics Florida - Ocala, FL

Full-time - Mid Level

Ocala, FL

Social Assistance

About the position

The Manager, Community Engagement is a pivotal role within Special Olympics Florida, specifically located in Ocala, FL, under the Field Services department. This position is designed to support both competitive and non-competitive program development, while also focusing on building and enhancing community partnerships and increasing organizational visibility. The Manager will be responsible for a variety of tasks that include athlete recruitment, volunteer recruitment, family engagement, and new business development. Additionally, the role involves volunteer management, developing strategic partnerships, and individual donor stewardship. A significant aspect of this position is overseeing the Athlete Leadership Program within the assigned area, ensuring that athletes are engaged and supported in their leadership journeys. The Manager will conduct extensive community outreach to families, businesses, elected officials, and other local and regional stakeholders. This outreach is essential for building relationships that align with and further the objectives of Special Olympics Florida. The role requires maintaining and expanding community partnerships to support programming, representing the organization at community engagement events, and collaborating with the Director of Development to cultivate corporate partnerships and steward individual donors. Organizing public outreach events, such as community meetings and open houses, is also a key responsibility, aimed at introducing Special Olympics Florida to external stakeholders. In addition to outreach and partnership development, the Manager will support the Regional Director in creating an annual engagement plan, establishing benchmarks for program development and evaluation. This includes supporting sports and non-competitive staff in developing strategies to expand programming, which encompasses marketing plans to recruit athletes, unified partners, volunteers, and new donors. The role also involves ensuring that the volunteer management plan is updated annually and that a comprehensive volunteer database is maintained. The Manager will assist in coordinating special events, including donor and volunteer appreciation events, and will oversee annual campaigns and peer-to-peer events in the assigned area. Furthermore, the Manager will promote Athlete Leadership opportunities and assist in developing an annual budget that supports community outreach activities for revenue growth and sustainability of programs.

Responsibilities

• Conduct robust community outreach to families, businesses, elected officials, and other local and regional stakeholders to build relationships that help to further Special Olympics Florida's objectives.
• Maintain and expand community partnerships to support Special Olympics Florida programming.
• Represent the organization externally in community engagement program related activities and events.
• Work with Director, Development to cultivate corporate partnerships and steward individual donors.
• Organize public outreach events including community meetings and open houses to introduce Special Olympics Florida to external stakeholders.
• Support the Regional Director in creation of an annual engagement plan, establishing benchmarks for program development and evaluation.
• Support sports and non-competitive staff in development of strategy to expand programming in assigned area to include marketing plan to recruit athletes, unified partners, volunteers and new donors to support programs.
• Work collaboratively with program staff to ensure the proper management of volunteers with an appropriate recognition program.
• Ensure that the volunteer management plan is updated annually to reflect the programs needs for the coming year are implemented.
• Develop and maintain a comprehensive volunteer computer database.
• Assist in the coordination of special events, including donor/volunteer appreciation events or fundraising initiatives.
• Oversight of Special Olympics Florida annual campaigns and peer-to-peer events in assigned area including but not limited to: TD Bank, Publix Torch Campaign, Polar Plunge, Plane Pull and Law Enforcement Torch Run.
• Ensure promotional activities are in place for county and local programs year round.
• Support the Regional Director in creation of monthly newsletter and social media content.
• Promote Athlete Leadership opportunities in assigned area.
• Identify and recruit athletes appropriate for Athlete Leadership.
• Assist in the development of an annual budget that supports community outreach activities for revenue growth and sustainability of program.
• Work collaboratively with Special Olympics Florida staff on County, Area, Invitational, State or Regional Games.
• Maintain current knowledge of Special Olympics Florida policies and procedures.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• BS/BA degree preferred in business, sports management, or related field.
• Understand and embrace the mission and philosophy of Special Olympics and our athletes.
• Sports knowledge desired.
• Experience in marketing or development.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent presentation skills with comfort speaking in front of groups both in person and virtually.
• Organized and detail-oriented with the ability to manage multiple priorities at a time.
• Experience in recruiting, motivating, supervising and delegating tasks to volunteers.
• Ability to both take initiative and work independently.
• Ability to work collaboratively as part of a team.
• Strong interpersonal skills.
• Proficient computer skills including knowledge of Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
• Knowledge of Smartsheet and Constant Contact preferred.