ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION:
The 501(c)6 nonprofit Northalsted Business Alliance (NBA) is the Chamber of Commerce representing Chicago’s historic LGBTQ+ business district, the boundaries of which are N. Halsted Street between Belmont Avenue & Grace Street, and N. Broadway between Grace Street & Irving Park Road. For more than 40 years, the NBA has supported the growth, development and sustainability of the district and its 100+ businesses through a variety of business-focused and community-focused events, programs and marketing initiatives. Major events that the NBA annually produces include Chicago Pride Fest (June), Northalsted Market Days (August), and the Haunted Halsted Halloween Parade (October).
POSITION SUMMARY:
The Business Engagement & Events Coordinator (BEEC) is primarily responsible for developing and maintaining relationships with NBA business members, effectively soliciting new business members, and developing/implementing small to mid-size neighborhood programs and events to support both the vitality of the Northalsted business district and the economic strength/sustainability of the district’s businesses. Secondary responsibilities include (but are not limited to): coordination/collaboration with NBA Staff/Board/Committees and external partners/vendors/municipal representatives, administrative support, and supporting staff and committees in the planning and execution of large and small events. The BEEC also supports NBA activities that the organization performs in its role as Sole Service Provider to Special Service Area #18.
The successful candidate for this position will be a dynamic and self-motivated individual with a passion for building relationships and creating memorable, beneficial events and experiences for the NBA’ member businesses and the public.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Primary Duties and Responsibilities:
1) Serve as the primary point of contact for current and prospective business members;
2) Consistently utilize all available communication means (in-person, phone, text, email) to build relationships with owners, managers and staff of Northalsted businesses, including scheduled/unscheduled business visits outside of standard business hours;
3) Regularly communicate membership benefits and upcoming opportunities to businesses and encourage utilization/participation in same;
4) Execute existing and new membership benefit programs & opportunities which may include: quarterly networking socials, marketing/advertising/promotional initiatives, rebate programs, educational workshops/seminars, and public events;
5) In cooperation with the Executive Director, track and evaluate NBA membership programs and events (including surveys and direct business communication) to assess effectiveness/satisfaction and identify opportunities for improvement and/or growth;
6) Assist member businesses to effectively participate in NBA events and in promoting their businesses’ activities;
7) Attend and represent NBA at internal & external events/meetings, as directed; and
8) Stay up to date on industry trends & best practices related to Chamber/member services and event planning/management.
Secondary Duties and Responsibilities:
Assist in maintaining NBA social media pages;
1) Contribute to NBA’s webpages (Wordpress);
2) Produce effective member-focused correspondence and public-facing e-newsletters;
3) Attend NBA Board and/or Committee meetings as directed, as well as any 3rd party partner or municipal meetings/events as directed;
4) Support NBA staff and committees in the planning and execution of events including Chicago Pride Fest, Northalsted Market Days, Haunted Halsted Halloween Parade, and smaller events including Taste of Northalsted (x2) and various neighborhood walks, bar crawls and tours;
5) Perform basic administrative/clerical duties as directed; and
6) Other duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS:
1) Bachelor’s or Associate’s degree in marketing, communications, business or related field, or a combination of education and work experience representative of the role’s duties/responsibilities
2) Two or more years of work experience in event planning, member outreach, outside/field sales, or related
3) Willingness to regularly work evenings and weekends
4) Strong interpersonal skills
5) Excellent organizational and multi-tasking skills
6) Proficiency in or experience with Google Suite applications
7) Experience with project management and/or customer relationship management (CRM) software is preferred
8) Experience in basic website management (Wordpress) is preferred
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
1) Sit for extended periods;
2) Use a desktop computer and/or laptop and telephone for extended periods;
3) Talk and hear, both in person and by telephone;
4) Regularly traverse multiple blocks/distances in the Northalsted business district;
5) Regularly ascend or descend stairs; and
6) Occasionally stoop, kneel, bend, crouch and lift up to 25 pounds.
SCHEDULE INFORMATION:
Anticipated Schedule: Work schedule could include in-office hours typically beginning after 10:00am and extending after 5:00pm, with afternoon and evening hours being utilized for business outreach, and weekends when events are scheduled. This is not a remote position and requires presence in the NBA office and in the Northalsted community.
A work week will include up to 40hrs of combined in-office work (including phone call to businesses) and in-person visits to businesses, the schedule and hours of which is subject to change. All NBA employees are expected to work the entirety of the annual Chicago Pride Fest (June), Northalsted Market Days (August) and Haunted Halsted Halloween Parade (October), plus smaller weekend or evening events as scheduled.
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Studies have shown that women, nonbinary folks, and people of color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every single one of the qualifications described in a job description. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive organization and we are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job. That candidate may be one who comes from a background less traditional to this field of work, and that’s okay! Candidates who possess a familiarity with business/client-focused engagement are preferred. We strongly encourage all interested candidates to apply.
The Northalsted Business Alliance provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.
NOTE: Please do not contact the organization directly for the status of your application. The organization will reach out only to those candidates it intends to interview for the position.