Event Manager

Join our team · Philanthropy & Development | Multiple positions open

This is a rare moment to join a team being built — not filled.

At Hawai'i Foodbank, we are making a deliberate, multi-year investment in expanding our commitment to Philanthropy, by building a team with the capacity to match the scale of our mission. The positions you see here are not the result of turnover — they are the result of intention. We are building new structure, new discipline, and new capacity to deepen our relationships with donors and unlock the potential that fuels our mission: nourishing our ‘Ohana today, while we work to end hunger tomorrow.

If you are a development professional who wants to be part of building something, not just maintaining it, this is that opportunity.

EVENT MANAGER | Every event you coordinate builds momentum for our mission.

As our Event Manager, you'll create meaningful experiences — from signature galas to volunteer appreciation days — that engage donors, earn advocacy, and deepen their connection to our work.

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Reports to: Director of Donor Engagement

Department: Development, Marketing, and Communications (DMC)

Location: Hawai‘i – Hybrid

Status: Full-time | Occasional evenings and weekends required

Position Summary

The Event Manager is responsible for planning, coordinating, and executing Hawaiʻi Foodbank's fundraising, stewardship, and community engagement events that advance the organization's mission to nourish our ʻohana and end hunger across Hawaiʻi.

This position leads all aspects of event planning—from concept through execution—while working collaboratively with Development, Marketing & Communications, Programs, Operations, Finance, and Executive Leadership. The Event Manager creates exceptional experiences that strengthen donor relationships, increase community awareness, and generate philanthropic support.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Event Planning & Execution

Plan and execute fundraising, donor stewardship, volunteer, and community events.
Develop event timelines, production schedules, budgets, and logistics plans
Coordinate venues, catering, audiovisual, entertainment, décor, transportation, permits, and security
Ensure events are delivered on time, within budget, and aligned with Hawaiʻi Foodbank's mission and brand standards
Develop and maintain event Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)

Fundraising & Donor Engagement

Support fundraising initiatives through:

Signature galas
Capital Campaign events
Donor cultivation and stewardship events
Corporate partner events
Volunteer appreciation events
Community food drives and awareness campaigns
Coordinate sponsorship fulfillment, VIP experiences, auctions, donor recognition, and post-event stewardship

Vendor & Project Management

Manage vendor relationships, contracts, budgets, and timelines
Coordinate volunteers and cross-functional event teams
Lead event briefings and ensure all staff understand roles and responsibilities
Maintain organized event documentation and financial reporting
Partner with Development, Marketing & Communications, Programs, Operations, Volunteer Services, and Finance to ensure successful event execution while promoting a collaborative, mission-focused culture

Event Evaluation

Measure event success through:

Revenue
Attendance
Sponsorship performance
Budget management
Guest satisfaction
Donor engagement
Post-event evaluations and recommendations for continuous improvement

Qualifications & Experience

Required Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Event Management, Marketing Communications, Hospitality, Business, or related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience
Minimum of 3 years of experience in professional event planning
Strong organizational and project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines
Strong attention to detail and commitment to accuracy, accountability, and follow-through.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and database reporting tools
Ability to drive to and from donor meetings and engagement locations
Ability to work evenings and weekends as required

Preferred Qualifications

Experience managing multiple projects, budgets, and vendor relationships
Experience in fundraising on nonprofit events
Passion for community impact and Hawaiʻi-based nonprofit work
Microsoft Office Suite & CRM Experience (Raiser’s Edge NXT Preferred)

Core Competencies

Mission-driven and service-oriented
Event Planning and logistics
Budget management
Vendor negotiations
Project Management
Relationship-focused and donor-centered
Volunteer coordination
Strong communicator and storyteller
Highly organized and proactive
Detail-oriented with strong project management skills
Collaborative and team-oriented

Description of Tasks

Most tasks are covered within the essential duties and responsibilities outlined above.
This position requires occasional evening and weekend work, local travel, and the ability to stand for extended periods during events. Must be able to lift to 20 pounds and support Hawaiʻi Foodbank during emergency response activations when needed.

Mathematical Skills:

Ability to add, subtract, multiply and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs. Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, percentages. Ability to apply all concepts of bookkeeping and all generally accepted accounting procedures.

Reasoning Ability:

Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form. Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.

Equipment, Machines, Tool, Vehicles Used:

Ability to use a computer workstation including keyboard, mouse, printer, fax and multi-line phone systems to execute tasks.
Computer literacy with working knowledge of Microsoft office is required with emphasis on proficiency in Word and Excel.
Computer literacy with experience working with a database system.
Valid driver’s license and access to insured personal vehicle.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to walk. The employee is occasionally required to stand. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include distance vision and the ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment:

Hybrid, working 4 days in office and 1 day remote after 90 days.
Requires driving for off-site days, evening and weekend meetings and fundraisers and marketing events, as needed or assigned.
Requires the use of computers, mobile, telephonic equipment, etc.
The noise level ranges from quiet to moderate to loud at times.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee filling this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by management. Management has the right to add to, revise, or delete information in this job description.

Pay: From $70,000.00 per year

Benefits:

401(k)
Dental insurance
Employee assistance program
Health insurance
Paid time off
Vision insurance

Application Question(s):

Please describe your project management approach for events, from planning to execution.

Education:

Bachelor's (Preferred)

Experience:

professional event planning: 3 years (Required)

Location:

Honolulu, HI 96819 (Required)

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Honolulu, HI 96819