Events Coordinator

Position Title: Events Coordinator

Work Location: Columbus, OH;
Hybrid Flexibility

Employment/FLSA Status: Full-Time/Exempt

Reports To:Senior Manager, Community Partnerships

Target Salary: $45,000 to $50,000/yr. + discretionary bonus opportunity

About Besa

Besa is on a mission to transform the volunteer experience by bringing the community together in meaningful, impactful ways. Besa is an Albanian term that means "to keep the promise," and more than a decade into its work, Besa is keeping its promise to Central Ohio. Since launching in 2012, our team has rallied 81,000 volunteers, giving 210,000 hours through 13,600 service projects, and has facilitated $97M in community impact.

By connecting individuals with opportunities to give back, we strengthen the very fabric of our community -- building lasting relationships and contributing to the overall well-being and resilience of Central Ohio.

About the Role

Besa facilitates nearly 2,000 volunteer experiences each year across Central Ohio. Our team manages volunteer projects daily, typically serving groups of 30 or fewer volunteers. But our signature community-wide programs -- A&F Challenge, WISH, MLK Day of Service, National Volunteer Month, COSI Science Festival, and other key events -- require dedicated planning, coordination, and execution to bring larger groups of volunteers together for meaningful impact.

The Special Programming Coordinator makes this happen. Working under the strategic direction of the Senior Manager, you'll manage the day-to-day execution of these marquee programs from start to finish. You'll secure locations, develop detailed run-of-show plans, coordinate cross-functional teams, cultivate nonprofit partners, and serve as on-site lead to ensure every detail comes together seamlessly.

This role is perfect for someone who thrives on logistics, provides exceptional customer service to volunteers and partners, and takes pride in executing programs that create meaningful volunteer experiences at scale.

Primary Responsibilities

• Program Planning & Execution
  • Plan and execute medium to large-scale volunteer events and programs
  • Secure locations and develop comprehensive run-of-show plans including timing, supply needs, food, kick-off, flow, and wrap-up
  • Provide recommendations for service projects, including supply-making activities and on-site activations
  • Build volunteer experience in Besa's platform and manage volunteer sign-ups
  • Serve as on-site lead for events, ensuring everything runs smoothly and problem-solving in real-time
  • Recruit and coordinate volunteer captains, staff, and support as needed
  • Conduct post-program debriefs and lead reporting and benchmarking initiatives to strengthen overall program quality
• Partnership & Cross-Functional Coordination
  • Support the Senior Manager in building and maintaining relationships with nonprofit and community partners
  • Collaborate with Marketing, Business Partners, and Advancement teams to promote programs and engage their stakeholders
  • Organize and facilitate event planning meetings, lead cross-departmental committees
  • Answer volunteer and partner questions as they arise, triaging with care and efficiency
  • Represent Besa at community events, partner meetings, and public-facing opportunities
  • Undertake additional duties as assigned, contributing flexibly to the dynamic needs of the organization

Our Ideal Candidate

• Experience & Track Record
  • 3 years of experience in event planning, program coordination, community engagement, or related field
  • Proven ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and execute events from planning through completion
  • Experience working cross-functionally with different teams or departments
  • Familiarity with the Columbus nonprofit community and local service landscape preferred
• Skills & Capabilities
  • Exceptional project management and organizational skills with strong attention to detail
  • Outstanding customer service orientation - you know how to make volunteers and partners feel supported and valued
  • Strong relationship-building skills across different sectors and stakeholder groups
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills
  • Comfortable problem-solving on the fly and adapting to changing…