Program and Operations Manager, Columbus Blue Jackets Foundation

Summary  The Columbus Blue Jackets organization is an asset of the community and is committed, through our actions, to make Columbus and Central Ohio a better place to live and do business. The Columbus Blue Jackets Foundation provides the organization with the means to deepen and strengthen its ties to the community through visible and high-impact charitable activities.  The Foundation is dedicated to using its unique resources to raise public awareness and financial support for key initiatives that represent the Foundation’s four pillars of focus: 

• Pediatric Cancer 
• Children’s Health & Safety  
• Education through literacy 
• Development of Youth & Amateur Hockey 

  The primary role of this position is to support and work with the Executive Director in the management and execution of the Columbus Blue Jackets Foundation fund development and grant making strategies in alignment with strategic plans, business goals and objectives. Responsibilities of managing the daily operations include implementing policies/procedures, oversight of donations, managing the foundation database and related systems, and managing third party donation and auction platforms. It will be necessary for the person in this role to be present at home games with additional nights and weekend hours as necessary to execute the Foundation’s programs, initiatives, and events.   The position also requires someone who is energetic and passionate about the role of sports as a tool to impact the community in a positive way 
Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned. 

• In support of the Executive Director, manage and oversee all Blue Jackets Foundation (internal and external) fundraising activities, committees, and groups, including the Foundation’s two signature fundraising events, The CannonBall and the Golf Classic.  
• Manage operations that support fundraising, such as database management, donor acknowledgments and communications. Ensure applicable local, state and federal laws, codes, rules and regulations are followed. 
• Oversee Foundation grant-funded programs including recognition of grants awarded in the Foundation Community Report, manage event details around the Grant Reception event, implement mid-year grant review, manage application and approval process. Establish efficient systems and processes for grant making. Manage necessary databases for all grant applications, agreements and reports with Blue Jackets Foundation partners. 
• Events Management – Plan, promote, support and implement events designed to accomplish a variety of goals from strategic fundraising to awareness building to donor engagement. 
• Manage and oversee the auction and 50/50 raffle operations including the management of volunteer engagement, part-time staff and promotion of raffle ticket sales for home and away games. 
• Develop donor recognition initiatives and ensure retention of stakeholder relationships to encourage future gifts to the Blue Jackets Foundation.  
• In partnership with the Community Development Coordinator, work with Marketing, Digital Marketing and Communications departments to ensure effective communication of the key messages and strategies relating to the Foundation to internal and external audiences.   
• Manage documents necessary for quarterly Columbus Blue Jackets Foundation Board Meetings.
• Oversee scholarship program including managing application process for the High School Hockey and John H. McConnell scholarship programs; coordinate interviews with the Board, coordinate announcement of scholarship winners and manage the distribution of scholarship funds.  
• Raise the profile of the Blue Jackets Foundation locally, focusing on the Blue Jackets as a leader in corporate social responsibility among other local organizations and other professional sports teams.
• Develop sustained partnerships and relationships with key organizations and influencers relevant to programs and the business. 
• Track and maintain project, event, and fundraising budgets with a responsibility to keeping on target. 

  Supervisory Responsibilities   Directly supervises part-time 50/50 raffle game night staff and Foundation interns. Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.    Competencies   To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:    Project Management - Develops project plans; coordinates projects; communicates changes and progress; completes projects on time and budget; manages project team activities.    Communications - Expresses ideas and thoughts verbally; expresses ideas and thoughts in written form; exhibits good listening and comprehension; keeps others adequately informed; selects and uses appropriate communication methods.    Teamwork - Balances team and individual responsibilities; exhibits objectivity and openness to others' views; gives and welcomes feedback; contributes to building a positive team spirit; puts success of team above own interests; able to build morale and group commitments to goals and objectives; supports everyone's efforts to succeed.    Team Leadership - Fosters team collaboration; defines project-specific team roles and responsibilities; supports group problem solving; ensures progress toward goals; acknowledges team accomplishments.    Organizational Support - Follows policies and procedures; completes administrative tasks correctly and on time; supports organization's goals and values; benefits organization through outside activities; supports affirmative action and respects diversity.    Adaptability - Adapts to changes in the work environment; manages competing demands; changes approach or method to best fit the situation; able to deal with frequent change, delays, or unexpected events.    Planning/Organizing - Prioritizes and plans work activities; uses time efficiently; plans for additional resources; sets goals and objectives; organizes or schedules other people and their tasks; develops realistic action plans. 

Qualifications   To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.    Education and/or Experience   Bachelor's degree from four-year college or university; and 5 years of experience and/or training in fundraising, community relations, customer service, marketing or related field preferred; or equivalent combination of education and experience. Previous experience working for a professional sports team is preferred.    Computer Skills  To perform this job successfully, an individual should have knowledge of Microsoft Office software, Adobe Photoshop and social media platforms, including Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.    Physical Demands and Work Environment   While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to sit and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand and walk. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.    Due to the nature of the job, this position requires working occasional weekday and weekend evenings and holidays.    Acknowledgements   The above job description is not intended to be an all-inclusive list of duties and standards of the position.  Incumbents will follow any other instructions, and perform any other related duties, as assigned by their supervisor.  

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, gender identity, marital or veteran status, or any other protected class.