Lead Event Coordinator (Contract Position)

Estimated Hours: July through August: Approximately 1–3 hours per week September through October: Approximately 5–20 hours per week November 1–10: Approximately 20–40 hours per week Schedule may be adjusted for the right candidate and event needs About the Alaska Jewish Campus The Alaska Jewish Campus is a vibrant cultural and educational hub serving Alaskans of all backgrounds. Home to the Alaska Jewish Museum and Cultural Center, Gan Yeladim Early Learning Center, and numerous community programs, the Campus is committed to promoting education, diversity, inclusion, and cultural understanding throughout Alaska. About the Gala The Alaska Jewish Cultural Gala is one of Anchorage's premier fundraising and cultural events. Now in its 21st year, this elegant black-tie evening celebrates Jewish culture, cuisine, music, and community while raising critical support for the Alaska Jewish Campus and its programs. The Gala brings together community leaders, business professionals, donors, elected officials, and supporters for an unforgettable evening that highlights the Campus's impact and vision for the future. Position Overview The Alaska Jewish Campus is seeking an experienced, highly organized, and proactive Lead Gala Event Coordinator to serve as the primary project coordinator/planner for our annual Gala. This is a contract position responsible for coordinating and executing all assigned aspects of the event while working closely with the Director and Operations Manager. Leadership will provide direction, priorities, and goals, while the Event Coordinator will oversee planning, timelines, logistics, volunteers, and implementation. The ideal candidate is a self-starter who thrives in a collaborative environment, can manage multiple moving pieces simultaneously, and maintains exceptional attention to detail while meeting deadlines. Key Objectives Successfully plan and execute a high-quality fundraising gala. Manage event logistics, timelines, and project plans from start to finish. Create an exceptional guest experience. Coordinate with volunteers, vendors, and event partners. Support fundraising initiatives including sponsorship fulfillment, auctions, and donor recognition. Ensure all event operations run smoothly and professionally. Responsibilities Event Planning & Project Coordination Develop and maintain comprehensive gala timelines, project plans, and checklists. Coordinate all assigned aspects of gala planning and execution. Attend regular planning meetings with Campus leadership. Track deadlines and ensure deliverables are completed on schedule. Maintain accurate planning documents, reports, and event records. Provide regular progress updates to leadership. Volunteer Coordination Develop volunteer procedures and staffing plans. Recruit, train, schedule, and oversee volunteers. Create systems to track volunteer assignments and needs. Ensure volunteers are prepared and supported throughout the event. Guest Experience & Event Operations Coordinate guest registration, seating, event flow, and attendee communications. Support sponsorship recognition and fulfillment requirements. Ensure a seamless and professional guest experience. Troubleshoot challenges and resolve issues before and during the event. Maintain sensitivity to cultural and community expectations. On-Site Coordination: Oversee on-site preparations, production, and event breakdown. Maintain consistent, high-level service throughout all phases. Troubleshoot any issues that may arise during the event. Maintain sensitivity to cultural requirements. Dedicated Event Availability: Assume responsibility for various parts of event needs from Friday noon (November 6th, 2026) until Saturday night (November 7th, 2026). Post-Event Assist with event wrap-up, evaluations, and reporting. Gather feedback and recommendations for future improvements. Participate in post-event debrief meetings. Qualifications Experience in coordinating any of the following: galas, fundraising events, nonprofit events, corporate events, conferences, weddings, or similar large-scale events. Strong organizational, communication and interpersonal abilities. Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines simultaneously. Strong attention to detail and follow-through. Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with leadership. Proficiency with Microsoft Office and Google Sheets. Ability to remain calm, professional, and solutions-focused under pressure. Preferred Qualifications Experience with nonprofit fundraising events. Experience managing sponsorship fulfillment and donor recognition. Familiarity with auction software such as Greater Giving or similar platforms. Background in event management, hospitality, marketing, public relations, or a related field. Ideal Candidate Highly organized and detail-oriented. Self-motivated and proactive. Strong problem solver and decision-maker. Professional, dependable, and responsive. Excellent at keeping projects moving forward. Comfortable working with community leaders, donors, volunteers, vendors, and event attendees. Passionate about creating memorable and impactful events.