Events & Volunteer Manager, Uli Austin

The Urban Land Institute (ULI) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit research and education organization supported by its members. Founded in 1936, the Institute has more than 48,000 members worldwide representing the entire spectrum of land use and real estate development disciplines, working in private enterprise and public service. As the preeminent, multidisciplinary real estate forum, ULI facilitates the open exchange of ideas, information, and experience among local, regional, national, and international industry leaders and policy makers dedicated to creating better places. The mission of ULI is to shape the future of the built environment for transformative impact in communities worldwide.

The ULI Austin District Council strives to advance the mission of the Urban Land Institute at a local level. The ULI Austin District Council was founded in 1994 and now includes over 1100 members spanning Central Texas. As a member-led organization, ULI’s strength lies in its members’ industry knowledge and expertise. Members advance ULI’s mission through programing and many councils and committees.

ULI Austin is seeking to hire a full-time Events and Volunteer Manager to join our small and collaborative team that serves

local members in real estate and land use professions and fosters relationships, learning, and leadership that meaningfully affects members’ careers, the greater Austin communities, and the real estate industry.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Events and Volunteer Manager is a professional position within ULI Austin. As an integral part of the ULI Austin team, the Events and Volunteer Manager serves as a professional liaison between the ULI Austin, ULI headquarters, and Austin real estate, planning and development professionals. The Events and Volunteer Manager is one of the faces of the ULI Austin that members call for assistance and information, so it is imperative that the Events and Volunteer Manager be courteous and friendly.

The Events and Volunteer Manager serves as an informed resource for ULI Austin committees, interfacing with these committees to ensure that all work is consistent with ULI’s policies and procedures and that ULI Austin’s goals and objectives are met. The Events and Volunteer Manager directly supports specific ULI Austin events, committees, and initiatives. Strong Project Management skills including database management, volunteer engagement and management, team coordination, financial planning and management, follow through and attention to details are important for success within this position.

The ideal candidate will be comfortable working either remotely or in the office. ULI Austin has a physical office space and supports a balanced hybrid work model. However, in-person meetings and support of events will be required and the Events and Volunteer Manager must be able to travel to ULI Austin events throughout the area. Meetings, events or programs may occur in the early mornings or evenings as well as during the standard workday.

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES:

• The Events and Volunteer Manager’s program of work is expected to be managing committees to plan and execute ULI Austin special events – Marketplace, Game Day, and Impact Awards – and supporting ULI Austin’s Local Member Councils and NEXT initiative. The assignment of committees, programs, and initiatives are subject to change.
• The Events and Volunteer Manager will work collaboratively with ULI headquarters and ULI Austin staff and communicate regularly with the chairs of the various committees and subcommittees in the Events and Volunteer Manager’s portfolio of work.
• The Events and Volunteer Manager will communicate directly with senior industry leaders participating in ULI Austin’s events and programs, general membership, prospects, sponsors, and partner organizations and work collaboratively with outside contractors, community partners, and regional ULI colleagues to support the Events and Volunteer Manager’s portfolio of work.
• The Events and Volunteer Manager will need the ability to understand the ULI Austin program of work and tie it to the overall Institute goals and priority focus areas.
• Perform other duties and special projects as necessary.

Special Event Management:

• Full coordination of the event planning, day of responsibilities, and post event closeout.
• Serve as main point of contact for the event.
• Open events in the registration/member database.
• Work with committee chairs to form committees and determine planning timeline.
• Create event budgets including expenses, sponsorship, and registration income and track actual financials against the budget.
• Select and initiate contracting with venues and vendors through outreach and proposal comparison process.
• Coordinate event marketing including communications, website information, and social media. Actual communication, website updates, and social media posts may be completed by other staff or contractors.
• Source venues and vendors, negotiate contracts and manage vendor relationships, set up vendor accounts including necessary billing information, and process payments for venues and vendors.
• Work with event committees to determine sponsorship levels and benefits.
• Provide guidance and tools to committee members for planning the events and organize outreach.
• Invoice sponsors and coordinate benefits.

Local Member Council and NEXT Support:

• Work with program chairs and leadership to ensure proper succession planning and leadership transitions are taking place.
• Create and manage program applications and perform initial placement to be discussed and approved by member chairs.
• Create program budgets and track actual financials against the budget.
• Coordinate program marketing including communications, website information, and social media. Actual communication, website updates, and social media posts may be completed by other staff or contractors.
• Ensure program participants are properly entered in the member database.
• Invoice program participants and follow up on payments.
• Ensure program guidelines including participant attendance are properly communicated and followed.
• Manage program success through monitoring of individual groups and participant feedback.
• Work with member chairs to determine and implement any needed program changes.

PROFESSIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Four to six years of proven project and office management skills, including creative problem solving.
• BA/BS degree preferred.
• Source venues and vendors, negotiate contracts and manage vendor relationships, set up vendor accounts including necessary billing information, and process payments for venues and vendors.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Collaborative, positive, and team oriented.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint) required.
• Proficiency with database management. CRM preferred.
• Meeting and event coordination skills
• Demonstrated ability to initiate tasks and assume responsibility for them; work with minimal supervision in a high-production position; prioritize and reprioritize tasks as needed, and handle multiple tasks concurrently and completely with responsible follow-through.
• Self-motivated, agile, and entrepreneurial—demonstrating meticulous attention to both details and deadlines—in a dynamic work environment with many stakeholders and concurrent priorities/programs.
• Professional oral and written communication and interpersonal skills to work with senior business and public sector executives.
• Ability to provide courteous customer service and professional relationships with coworkers in a fast-paced environment
  Ability to attend early morning and evening events is required
• Ability to travel to events throughout the region
• Use of personal vehicle may be required for local travel

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:
ULI has a robust benefits package that includes health, dental, and life insurance; vacation leave; and a retirement plan. Compensation is commensurate with experience. For more information, click here.

To apply, please follow the link below. Please submit a résumé and a letter of interest.

ULI is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion/creed, sex, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, veteran or active military status, non-citizenship or citizenship status, arrest or conviction record, credit history, salary history, caregiver status, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital or partnership status, familial status, unemployment status, status as a victim of domestic violence or sexual violence, or any other status protected by applicable law.

EOE/m/f/d/v. No relocation reimbursement is offered at this time.