Hiring Organization Information
Position Information
General Position Summary
Job Number: 2024-00122
The King County Library System Foundation raises awareness and critical funding for initiatives and resources that enable King County Library System to empower every person through literacy, learning and libraries. KCLS Foundation is currently seeking qualified candidates for its Corporate Engagement and Events Manager position.
This position partners in the development and execution of key strategies to grow KCLS Foundation's annual and long-range fundraising efforts through two key dimensions:
- To identify, cultivate, and engage new corporate partners while strengthening existing corporate relationships to generate significant funding and sponsorship support.
- To lead the design, planning, and execution of KCLSF’s signature fundraising and donor engagement events, including The Literary Lions Gala, Author Salon Series, and others.
The ideal candidate for this role is a collaborative, results-driven self-starter who is able to build trusted relationships and creates compelling, inclusive event experiences. In addition, we seek an individual with a strong passion for libraries, our mission, and their impact in the community.
Required: Applicants must attach a current resume and cover letter which addresses relevant events and corporate engagement work experience, education, and training as it relates to this position.
About King County Library System (KCLS):
KCLS has a vision of a world where knowledge allows diverse communities to prosper and grow. In order to support this vision, we create opportunities through meaningful connections by acting as the knowledge sharing center for over 1.5 million diverse patrons, providing an unparalleled collection of library materials, resources, technology, services, and programs.
Approximately 1,000 engaged and passionate staff provide service in 50 community library locations and patron engagement using direct outreach, programs, and virtual assistance. Our service area includes cities, towns, tribal lands, and unincorporated districts of King County, with the exception of the city of Seattle.
From a 2021-2022 comprehensive Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Assessment Demographics and Language Report, of the more than 1.5 million residents who live within the KCLS service area, almost half identify as Black, Indigenous, or People of Color (BIPOC). Moreover, roughly one-third of the KCLS community speaks a language other than English as their first language.
The King County Library System is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. KCLS values diverse perspectives, lived experiences, and cultures. KCLS encourages BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and people of color), immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQIA+, individuals with disabilities and veterans to apply. As part of this commitment, KCLS provides reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities to participate in the job application or interview process and/or to perform the essential functions of the position.
To request accommodation, please call 425-369-3224.
Examples of Duties
Essential Duties
The items listed in this section are the key duties and responsibilities for this job and do not represent an exhaustive list. Our organization is dynamic and therefore duties may change based on business necessity; however, any new duties will remain within the scope of the job.
- Leads the design, planning, and execution of all creative, logistical, and fundraising aspects of KCLS Foundation’s signature events, including vendor management, marketing, communications, committee engagement, sponsorship, audience development, accessibility, day-of event management, and post event responsibilities and evaluation.
- Executes strategies to grow annual event revenue.
- Develops an annual engagement strategy for corporate partnerships and sponsorships.
- Establishes new corporate partnerships to increase revenue through prospecting, networking, and cultivation.
- Stewards and deepens long-term, established, corporate relationships, keeping them engaged and informed about their contributions.
- Develops compelling and inclusive events and experiences to engage existing and potential donors, sponsors, volunteers, and partners in KCLS Foundation’s mission of building community and generating revenue.
- Creates and recommends a revenue and expense budget for special events and corporate partnerships. Monitors and analyzes the events’ return on investment and ensures accurate tracking and reporting of sponsorship funds and event expenses including invoicing and budget tracking.
- Prepares and delivers compelling, customized materials, sponsorship proposals, and presentations that communicate foundation and event goals and key performance indicators to board, staff, volunteers, and potential corporate partners.
- Recruits, supports, and oversees planning committee volunteers. Manages day-of event volunteers and ongoing office volunteers.
- Negotiates contracts with vendors to support event production and coordination.
- Clearly expresses the KCLS vision, mission, and funding priorities to prospects and donors.
- Supports and promotes the Foundation’s efforts to advance Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion through communications, outreach, events, and programs.
Secondary Duties
- Attends and actively participates on various committees.
- Performs other related duties as assigned.
Desired Minimum Qualification
Education and Experience
The items listed below are the minimum requirements for the job and are relevant to this position. The organization values both work experience and education and realizes that individuals take different paths to acquire knowledge.
- Bachelor’s degree in communications, marketing, public relations, or public administration.
- Three years’ experience in fundraising, including donor relations, cultivation, prospect research, and event planning.
- Experience in securing significant corporate sponsorships and partnerships.
- Experience in planning and executing successful fundraising and managing projects that involve multiple dimensions and stakeholders.
- Experience managing a contact database, event management software, and virtual event platforms.
- Any equivalent combination of education and experience that provides the necessary qualifications to successfully perform the duties of the position will be considered.
Knowledge and Skills
- Commitment to community and the values of diversity, equity, and inclusion.
- Effective verbal, active listening, and written communication skills.
- Critical thinking skills and sound judgement.
- Builds strong relationships and trust quickly.
- Highly organized and detail oriented.
- Flexible and adapts to changing needs.
- Skills working collaboratively with diverse organizations and individuals.
- Excellent customer service skills.
- Works independently and as part of a team.
- Skilled at maintaining confidentiality and working with sensitive information.
Professional Licenses and Certifications
- A valid Washington State Driver’s License is required.