The Lake County Engagement Specialist will play a key role in establishing the Lake County JCC as an important and vibrant destination site for the community while producing new revenue opportunities. The Engagement Specialist is responsible for generating and executing community engagement events, rental functions, and deep local partnerships at the Lake County JCC. This is a new position and will begin with a 6-month trial measured with strategic goals and benchmarks.

At JCC Chicago, we are focused on growing good kids, building communities, and educating ourselves on the past to make a difference for the future. The largest JCC in North America, JCC Chicago offers a life-affirming journey that builds on the richness and power of Jewish values and continues to reimagine them for a more connected, inspired community. JCC Chicago is an equal opportunity agency that offers career opportunities, internships, and volunteer roles for all.

Background:

The Lake County JCC sits on 37 acres of property in Lake Zurich and is home to a vibrant early childhood center and two summer camps with extraordinary amenities: 2 outdoor swimming pools, pickleball/basketball/four square courts, a greenhouse, a mini-golf putt-putt, an outdoor interactive science park, a STEM center, a ceramics studio, yurts, and more.

Key areas of responsibility:

Stakeholder Engagement

• Meet with local businesses, non-profits, and business chambers to identify service gaps and assess possible partnerships for events or rental opportunities.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with clients and resolve client concerns efficiently to ensure satisfaction and loyalty.

• Be a first point of contact for rental inquiries, provide suggestions and information about vendors, room capacity and pricing, lead property tours.

• Organize outreach campaigns, follow-ups, and feedback loops to enhance customer experience.

Community Outreach & Relationship Building

• Represent the organization at community events, workshops, and partner meetings to promote programs and services as well as identify new relationships.
• Build and nurture relationships with local organizations, schools, businesses, and non-profits.
• Identify and pursue partnership opportunities that align with the JCC’s mission.
• Coordinate joint initiatives, sponsorships, or co-hosted events that align with the JCC Chicago mission, vision, and goals.
• Maintain regular communication with partners and track partnership deliverables and impact.

Administrative

• Manage contracts, reservations, room setups, invoices, payments, and onsite support.

• Develop and manage a budget for necessary materials, advertising, income, etc.
• Communicate all programs, events, and rentals to the Senior Director of Operations at Bernard Weinger JCC and any affected staff.
• Manage building access control and security, ensuring all staff and customers show proper photo identification and have purpose for being in the building.

Tracking & Reporting

• Monitor engagement metrics (event attendance, new programs, new partnerships etc.).
• Maintain and update constituent information in CRM.
• Generate metrics to evaluate outreach efforts and ROIs, and inform strategic planning.

General

• Develop, implement, and oversee programs and events that build meaningful connections across all stages of life.
• Work closely with CIO to ensure a consistent and aligned vision with programmatic efforts, participant experience, and partnership opportunities.
• In coordination with the Marketing Department, develop a package of rental and partnership materials for the Lake County site.
• Actively participate in agency events to build and strengthen collaborative relationships across agency.
• Attend all events at Lake County JCC for setup support and as needed to direct staff and participants.
• Work with preschool and camp teams at Lake County to look for cross promotion opportunities and to ensure space availability.

Days/Hours/Travel:

Tuesday-Friday 11am-5pm, to shift as needed to support events and/or rentals. This position will be the primary point of contact on large scale events and should plan weekly schedule accordingly. Evening and weekend work will be required when there are events booked. Travel to other JCC sites as needed.

Compensation:

$30/hour (depending on experience)

Other Requirements:

• Associates Degree; special event or business development experience preferred.
• Business development experience and acumen.
• Demonstrated success creating a warm, welcoming environment with a focus on providing outstanding customer service.
• Previous sales and customer service experience in a highly service-oriented environment.
• Previous experience working with Microsoft Office Suite and databases with demonstrated ability to learn other technology as needed.
• Strong organizational and multitasking abilities.
• Success working in an environment requiring strong problem solving, strong numbers aptitude, and attention to details.
• Experience setting up customer service procedures and protocols helpful.
• Demonstrated ability to follow up and follow through.

Key Essential Job Duties/Physical Duties:

• Repetitive movement of arms and hands to operate computer, keyboard, and mouse.
• Ability to stand, walk and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
• Ability to operate equipment such as phone, computer keyboard, calculator and standard office equipment.
• Be able to frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 40 pounds.
• Vision: close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.
• React with physical and mental alertness in emergency situations and assist in evacuation of building.

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