Events & Marketing Manager

About Spare Key:

Spare Key is a Minnesota-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit serving families across all 50 states who are facing medical crises. Through Help Me Bounce, our donor-directed giving platform, we connect donors with families who need help paying essential bills. No matter the illness. No matter the injury. No matter the income. Our mission is helping families facing real hardship pay real bills in real time.

Position Summary:

Spare Key seeks a creative, resourceful, and highly organized Events & Marketing Manager to own the strategy and execution of fundraising events and marketing initiatives and campaigns that advance our mission. This hands-on role is approximately 60% events and 40% marketing, with priorities shifting during the year. The Events and Marketing Manager leads projects, events, and campaigns - from planning through execution and post-event evaluation, makes informed day-to-day decisions, manages contractors and vendors, and is accountable for both marketing event outcomes. Working closely with the Executive Director and a small, collaborative team, this person will know when to act independently, when to seek support, and when to escalate strategic or financial decisions.

A Role Built for Ownership & Growth:

This is a hands-on leadership role for someone who thrives on taking ownership. Collaboration is central to our small team, but the person in this role must confidently drive projects forward, anticipate challenges, make decisions, manage resources, and take pride in being accountable for results. Our fundraising events are essential to Spare Key’s success. As the organization grows, this role offers opportunities for expanded responsibility, professional development, and leadership growth.

Fundraising Events & Event Management:

• Own strategy, planning, coordination, execution, and evaluation of assigned fundraising events, including Spare Key’s annual Gala, golf tournaments, and other Spare Key fundraising or brand awareness initiatives.
• Serve as Spare Key’s lead for our largest event - the Groove Gala, partnering with the contracted event company to create a successful event and ensure organizational priorities, fundraising elements, sponsor commitments, and brand standards are delivered.
• Build, maintain, and execute event timelines, work plans, vendor deliverables, and post-event assessments; make operational decisions and flag significant financial or strategic matters for Executive Director approval.
• Lead event fundraising components such as live and silent auctions, raffles, on-site giving, and engaging guest experiences in collaboration with staff and partners.
• Coordinate guest lists, volunteers, sponsorship fulfillment, promotional materials, and event-day needs; oversee applicable logistical and compliance requirements with event partners.
• Be present and provide visible on-site leadership at major events, directing work and troubleshooting issues while engaging the broader team.
• Serve as a point of contact for businesses and community groups organizing third-party fundraisers benefiting Spare Key.

Marketing & Communications:

• Own day-to-day execution of marketing projects and campaigns that build awareness of Spare Key and Help Me Bounce.
• Create and coordinate email communications, event and donor materials, basic graphics, print collateral, and minor website content updates.
• Serve as the internal lead for the contracted social media agency: provide updates, stories, campaign direction, assets, approvals, and feedback while the agency handles its contracted work.
• Coordinate with outside vendors such as designers, printers, photographers, and other event vendors as contracted; maintain brand consistency and timely delivery.
• Support compelling, respectful storytelling about families, donors, and community impact.
• Maintain marketing calendars and deadlines; review results and recommend improvements.

Community Engagement & Project Leadership:

• Build productive relationships with board members, sponsors, volunteers, donors, community partners, vendors, and contractors; coordinate sponsor recognition and stewardship deliverables.
• Represent Spare Key at relevant community and partner events.
• Own assigned projects end to end: prioritize work, anticipate obstacles, communicate progress, follow through on commitments, and recommend solutions.
• Delegate and use contractor resources effectively while retaining accountability for deadlines, quality, and outcomes.
• Collaborate with the Executive Director, staff, board members, and volunteers; bring forward decisions requiring organizational strategy, major budget approval, or key donor leadership.

Qualifications:

• Experience in events, marketing, communications, project management, or related work; demonstrated independent project ownership is more important than a specific number of years.
• Excellent organization, time management, problem-solving, written and verbal communication skills.
• Confidence in making decisions, directing vendors, balancing multiple deadlines, and adapting during busy event seasons.
• Creative eye for messaging and design; comfort with Canva, Adobe tools or comparable software, Microsoft Office, websites, and digital platforms.
• Experience in nonprofit fundraising, sponsor relationships, or community events is preferred; relevant degree or equivalent experience welcomed.

Additional Requirements:

• Occasional evening and weekend work, with increased availability during major event preparation and event weeks.
• Ability to support event setup and teardown, including moving materials up to 50 pounds, with reasonable accommodations as applicable.
• Commitment to Spare Key’s mission, respectful family and donor communications, and ethical fundraising practices.

Compensation & Benefits:

Salary range $60,000-$75,00 depending on experience and qualifications with competitive PTO and benefits package included.