Event and Stewardship Manager

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Full Time Aurora, IL, US

Salary Range: $63,000.00 To $78,000.00 Annually

Title:

Event and Stewardship Manager

Ministry:
Development

Reports to:

Division Director of Development

FLSA Status:
Exempt

Pay: $63,000 - $78,000

Who We Are

• At Hesed House, ending homelessness isn’t a distant aspiration — it is the mission that drives every action we take. We are the second-largest homeless shelter in Illinois and the largest outside the city of Chicago, and a nationally recognized model for comprehensive, compassionate care. Located in Aurora, IL, our campus serves more than 1,000 individuals and families each year, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Our Comprehensive Resource Center brings together highly skilled professionals and community partners to provide shelter, meals, clothing, medical care, legal services, substance abuse counseling, employment coaching, housing assistance, and so much more. We believe every person deserves dignity and the chance to hope again — and we show up every day to make that real.

More than 7,500 volunteers from over 90 area churches, businesses, and organizations partner with us annually. Their generosity, alongside the financial support of our donors, makes our life-changing work possible.

The Opportunity

This is more than an events job. It is a chance to change lives by creating meaningful experiences that connect donors with the mission they love — and by ensuring every contributor feels genuinely seen, valued, and inspired to give again.

The Event & Stewardship Manager is a critical member of our Development Team, responsible for planning and executing a portfolio of mission-driven donor events while building the stewardship systems that turn one-time gifts into lasting partnerships. This dual-focused role demands both an eye for detail and a heart for people — someone who can manage a seamless gala and write a thank-you letter that genuinely moves a donor.

The ideal candidate is a skilled event professional and relationship-builder who is energized by the intersection of logistics and storytelling. You will be someone who takes pride in getting every detail right — and who understands that every detail exists in service of the people we serve.

What You Will Do

Plan and Execute Mission Driven Events

You will own Hesed House’s event portfolio, ensuring every gathering reflects our mission with excellence and warmth. This includes:

• Working with the Division Director of Development to design and execute a calendar of donor events — including galas, donor gatherings in person and virtually — that engage, inspire, and deepen commitment to Hesed House
• Manage all logistics end-to-end: budget oversight, venue sourcing, vendor negotiation, catering, audiovisuals, and run-of-show.
• Work with the Derby Committee and Director of Development to create and execute an annual gala, managing all logistics end-to-end, including budget oversight, venue sourcing, vendor negotiation, catering, av, and run-of show. Leverage committee for creation and cost-effective procurement of auction items / packaging, as well as sponsorship solicitation and tracking.
• Lead audience segmentation, invitation design, RSVP tracking, and seating arrangements to ensure every guest has a purposeful, personal experience
• Serve as the primary point of contact for event vendors and venue partners, negotiating contracts by working with vendors and Hesed House operational staff and maintaining relationships.
• Evaluate event outcomes and deliver post-event reports with data-driven recommendations for future programming

Steward Donors with…