Career Center

Rye Country Day School is seeking a full-time Special Events Coordinator beginning immediately. Rye Country Day School is a coeducational, Pre-K - Grade 12, college preparatory school located in Westchester County, New York dedicated to providing students with an excellent education using both traditional and innovative approaches. We are actively committed to creating and sustaining a school community that is nurturing, supportive, diverse, and inclusive, one in which all students can participate fully and achieve their maximum potential through academic, athletic, creative, and social endeavors. We expect and promote moral responsibility and strive to develop strength of character within a respectful school community.

Under the supervision of the Director of Advancement, the Special Events Coordinator is responsible for planning and implementing all special events for the School. This includes but is not limited to parent/guardian events ranging from grade-level coffees and cocktail receptions to a bi-annual large-scale benefit and auction; alumni, donor, and stewardship events; and employee events and receptions.

Specific responsibilities of the position include, but are not limited to:

• Collaborating with the School’s administration, multiple departments, and Parents Association to provide creative direction and oversight to the planning and implementation of community events
• Developing comprehensive plans and timelines for events; conducting all event-related meetings with key players including pre-event planning meetings and post-event debriefings
• Overseeing the production of events, including content development, site visits, venue selection, decor, RSVP management, catering, giveaways, volunteer coordination, and event-day logistics
• Developing, managing and adhering to the budget for the year; reviewing and approving invoices for payment; maintaining regular tracking of actual expenses against budget
• Completing pre- and post-event reconciliations with the Business Office
• Coordinating with the School’s operations teams including but not limited to: food service, facilities, and security. This includes developing and distributing a weekly communication identifying all events and related tasks
• Working closely with and negotiating with vendors to coordinate goods and services for special events; managing relationships and bidding processes to ensure the best service and most efficient cost for goods and services; negotiating vendor contracts within strict budgetary parameters
• Serving as the School’s liaison to the Parents Association and assisting with their events by cultivating relationships and providing guidance for event development, budgeting, promotion, logistics, and other issues as applicable; ensuring school messaging and brand standards are upheld

Desired qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree (related field preferred, i.e, Marketing, Communications, or Project Management)
• 3-5 years of experience working directly in fundraising and/or event planning; previous work experience in a school or non-profit environment a plus
• A clear commitment to the educational philosophy of the school as articulated in the School’s mission
• Demonstrated successful experience negotiating purchasing contracts
• Experience with professional design; Canva or Photoshop experience preferred
• Experience with online event registration tools; proficiency with Raiser's Edge or other similar donor management software strongly preferred
• Must be comfortable and successful working both independently and as part of a team
• Established track record of achieving goals on time and on budget
• Strong interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills, with a proven ability to manage multiple projects and consistently produce quality work in a deadline-driven environment; demonstrated outstanding organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to keep to a plan and pivot as needed
• Ability to produce professional-quality documents in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Google Suite
• Passion for being part of a team with a firm commitment to customer service and stewardship
• Flexibility, with a high tolerance for change, ambiguity, and a fast-paced environment
• A high level of professionalism and willingness to go the extra mile to reach goals
• Ability to work nights and weekends, as needed

RCDS seeks faculty and staff who support our mission to foster a lifelong passion for learning, understanding, and service in an ever-changing world, and who share our commitment to creating and sustaining a vibrant, thriving, and inclusive multicultural learning community. The school is committed to providing invigorating and supportive work experiences for its diverse community of employees. Faculty and staff are offered meaningful opportunities for professional development, growth, and leadership; highly competitive salaries; and extensive benefits. RCDS is committed to diversity and inclusion throughout the community and curriculum. Please visit our website-http://www.ryecountryday.org – to learn more about the school’s rigorous curriculum, values, and strategic initiatives.

Rye Country Day School is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all federal, state, and local laws, which prohibit discrimination in employment because of race, color, national origin, citizenship, age, sex, religion, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, and veteran status.

Interested candidates should apply by submitting a resume and cover letter via the following link: https://rcds.workable.com/.