Job Description
About Special Olympics Colorado:
Special Olympics Colorado (SOCO) is at its core a sports organization, but it is so much more! SOCO is dedicated to promoting inclusion for ALL people across Colorado, using the undeniable power of sport as a catalyst to create change.
Each year, SOCO provides hundreds of opportunities for our 23,000+ athletes with intellectual disabilities to train, compete and participate in sports, competition, athlete leadership, health programming and more. Through the support of an incredible community of coaches, volunteers, educators, donors, partners, and staff, SOCO is transforming the lives of children and adults with intellectual disabilities while building communities of unity and inclusion.
For more information about Special Olympics Colorado please visit SpecialOlympicsCO.org
Why Work at SOCO?
If you have a passion for creating joy, promoting social inclusion and equality for all and having fun along the way – this is a great place for you!
At SOCO, we’re committed to building a diverse, creative, engaged, collaborative, and hard-working team that does the right thing for our athletes, our communities, and each other.
Our employees are valued and appreciated, and we celebrate this by creating a supportive work-environment, offering flexible work hours, opportunities for professional development and through benefit enhancements that reflect our changing times and help our employees create a satisfying work-life balance for themselves and their families.
Position Summary:
The Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) for Special Olympics Colorado is a partnership with law enforcement statewide to raise awareness and funds to support Special Olympics athletes worldwide. Here in Colorado more than 2,000 law enforcement officers are involved in the movement raising funds through the Polar Plunge, Plane Pull, Tip-A-Cop and other agency fundraisers. Officers also present medals at Regional and State Competitions promoting inclusion and respect for individuals with intellectual disabilities.
The ideal candidate for this role should have extensive experience running fundraising events, demonstrate exceptional organizational, communication, and multi-tasking abilities, superb interpersonal skills, creativity, resourcefulness, and excellent time and project management. The Event Manager should be a team player who will work collaboratively as a member of the Development team and effectively deliver event objectives.
Reports to: Chief Development Officer
Position Responsibilities:
Event Management
• Responsible for all logistics and management of LETR Events including but not limited to the Polar Plunge Series, Plane Pull, Torch Run, Tip A Cops, Guardian of the Flame Hockey Tournament, and Truck Raffle
• Oversee event production and on-site logistics, venue selection, creation of comprehensive event plans and timelines
• Recruit, manage and steward event committees
• Ensure effective and comprehensive communication to event attendees, sponsors, volunteers and vendors
• Plan events with accessibility in mind
• Recruit and manage vendors to enhance overall event experience and secure necessary insurance
• Assist in the recruitment of law enforcement agencies, sponsors and community members to increase event participation and reach fundraising goals
• Work collaboratively with members of the Law Enforcement community to plan events
• Work with Volunteer Manager to identify event volunteer needs and recruit volunteers
• Train and manage day of volunteers at events
• Hold post event debriefings to evaluate events and adjust accordingly
Fundraising & Sponsorship
• Ensure event fundraising goals are met
• Thank and invoice donors and sponsors
• Seek and partner with companies and agencies who are interested in hosting events to benefit SOCO and LETR
• Research and build relationships with potential or current event sponsors
• Ensure all event related sponsor deliverables are met
• Create or modify Sponsor Activation Reports alongside the Sr. Director of Corporate Partnerships
• Recruit and steward event team captains and participants, working toward higher fundraising, more event participation, etc.
Budgeting
• Prepare annual event budgets
• Track and manage revenue and expenses
• Solicit in-kind donations from local businesses to offset expenses or to be used as fundraising incentives
Management
• This position will oversee and manage a single direct report, ensuring efficient workflow, professional development, and achievement of organizational goals
Other
• Collaborate with Athlete Leadership Manager to recruit athletes for events
• Build and grow relationships, and recruit and train law enforcement officers for fundraisers
• Work with the Marketing Department to create all event collateral, website, and social media platforms and an overall marketing plan and promotion for each event
• Attend and support Special Olympic Colorado’s check presentations, athletic competitions and fundraising events
• Ensure timely delivery of requests and revisions to Marketing for all event-related marketing needs
• Other duties as assigned
We encourage you to apply if:
• You believe in spreading joy and are dedicated to the mission of Special Olympics and have a thirst to be at the heart of social change
• You have a drive for results and are a self-starter committed to the greater good
• You have 3+ years of experience in fundraising and event management
• You are an exceptional team player with a great work ethic
• You have excellent organizational and time management skills and attention to detail
• You are an outside-of-the-box thinker who thrives on innovation to drive mission success – even if it means we fail once in a while
• You are comfortable working independently and in a wide range of social and business settings
• You are professional, friendly, and enjoy networking, communicating, and engaging with internal and external constituencies
• You are proficient in computer applications including Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and have knowledge of or are ready to learn fundraising systems including Raiser’s Edge NXT and OneCause
• You are ready to support other departments and contribute to the overall team spirit at SOCO
• You have a sense of humor
• You have the ability to work weekends and evenings as needed, travel independently throughout the state, lift and carry 30 lbs.
Additional Requirements:
Applicants will undergo a background check after conditional employment offer. Applicants must possess a valid Colorado driver’s license, (or willingness to obtain one within a month of employment) with a driving record that allows employees to be covered by agency auto insurance and drive agency vehicles (must be at least 21 years old) with at least 2 years of driving experience. Applicants must also have access to a personal vehicle to travel throughout the state. Mileage reimbursement is provided.
Benefits:
Our comprehensive benefits package includes Health, Dental and Vision Insurance; Life, AD&D and Long-Term Disability Insurance; Flexible Spending Accounts, a 401K plan with a 2% company match at the end of the year. SOCO has a “Flexible Time Off” policy, offers paid holidays, paid family leave, and employees are eligible for 5-week sabbatical every 5 years of service with the organization. Additionally, we offer flexible work hours as allowable per the job responsibilities and professional development opportunities annually. We are willing to consider candidates outside of Colorado but are unable to provide a relocation package for this position.
Compensation:
The Event Manager (LETR) position is an exempt full-time position with an annual salary range of $51,205 - $62,475. A bonus may be available dependent on organizational performance. Compensation will be commensurate with experience and qualifications.
Application Process:
Interested applicants should email the following to [email protected] by September 1, 2026:
- Cover letter (1-page or less) that includes why you want to join the Special Olympics Colorado team and why you feel this position is a good fit for you.
- Resume
Our interview process takes approximately 3-4 weeks after the priority application deadline. A complete application is required for consideration for this position.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion:
Special Olympics Colorado is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion,
gender, gender identity or expression, orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.
Special Olympics Colorado (SOCO) is at its core a sports organization, but it is so much more! SOCO is dedicated to promoting inclusion for ALL people across Colorado, using the undeniable power of sport as a catalyst to create change.
Each year, SOCO provides hundreds of opportunities for our 23,000+ athletes with intellectual disabilities to train, compete and participate in sports, competition, athlete leadership, health programming and more. Through the support of an incredible community of coaches, volunteers, educators, donors, partners, and staff, SOCO is transforming the lives of children and adults with intellectual disabilities while building communities of unity and inclusion.
For more information about Special Olympics Colorado please visit SpecialOlympicsCO.org
Why Work at SOCO?
If you have a passion for creating joy, promoting social inclusion and equality for all and having fun along the way – this is a great place for you!
At SOCO, we’re committed to building a diverse, creative, engaged, collaborative, and hard-working team that does the right thing for our athletes, our communities, and each other.
Our employees are valued and appreciated, and we celebrate this by creating a supportive work-environment, offering flexible work hours, opportunities for professional development and through benefit enhancements that reflect our changing times and help our employees create a satisfying work-life balance for themselves and their families.
Position Summary:
The Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) for Special Olympics Colorado is a partnership with law enforcement statewide to raise awareness and funds to support Special Olympics athletes worldwide. Here in Colorado more than 2,000 law enforcement officers are involved in the movement raising funds through the Polar Plunge, Plane Pull, Tip-A-Cop and other agency fundraisers. Officers also present medals at Regional and State Competitions promoting inclusion and respect for individuals with intellectual disabilities.
The ideal candidate for this role should have extensive experience running fundraising events, demonstrate exceptional organizational, communication, and multi-tasking abilities, superb interpersonal skills, creativity, resourcefulness, and excellent time and project management. The Event Manager should be a team player who will work collaboratively as a member of the Development team and effectively deliver event objectives.
Reports to: Chief Development Officer
Position Responsibilities:
Event Management
• Responsible for all logistics and management of LETR Events including but not limited to the Polar Plunge Series, Plane Pull, Torch Run, Tip A Cops, Guardian of the Flame Hockey Tournament, and Truck Raffle
• Oversee event production and on-site logistics, venue selection, creation of comprehensive event plans and timelines
• Recruit, manage and steward event committees
• Ensure effective and comprehensive communication to event attendees, sponsors, volunteers and vendors
• Plan events with accessibility in mind
• Recruit and manage vendors to enhance overall event experience and secure necessary insurance
• Assist in the recruitment of law enforcement agencies, sponsors and community members to increase event participation and reach fundraising goals
• Work collaboratively with members of the Law Enforcement community to plan events
• Work with Volunteer Manager to identify event volunteer needs and recruit volunteers
• Train and manage day of volunteers at events
• Hold post event debriefings to evaluate events and adjust accordingly
Fundraising & Sponsorship
• Ensure event fundraising goals are met
• Thank and invoice donors and sponsors
• Seek and partner with companies and agencies who are interested in hosting events to benefit SOCO and LETR
• Research and build relationships with potential or current event sponsors
• Ensure all event related sponsor deliverables are met
• Create or modify Sponsor Activation Reports alongside the Sr. Director of Corporate Partnerships
• Recruit and steward event team captains and participants, working toward higher fundraising, more event participation, etc.
Budgeting
• Prepare annual event budgets
• Track and manage revenue and expenses
• Solicit in-kind donations from local businesses to offset expenses or to be used as fundraising incentives
Management
• This position will oversee and manage a single direct report, ensuring efficient workflow, professional development, and achievement of organizational goals
Other
• Collaborate with Athlete Leadership Manager to recruit athletes for events
• Build and grow relationships, and recruit and train law enforcement officers for fundraisers
• Work with the Marketing Department to create all event collateral, website, and social media platforms and an overall marketing plan and promotion for each event
• Attend and support Special Olympic Colorado’s check presentations, athletic competitions and fundraising events
• Ensure timely delivery of requests and revisions to Marketing for all event-related marketing needs
• Other duties as assigned
We encourage you to apply if:
• You believe in spreading joy and are dedicated to the mission of Special Olympics and have a thirst to be at the heart of social change
• You have a drive for results and are a self-starter committed to the greater good
• You have 3+ years of experience in fundraising and event management
• You are an exceptional team player with a great work ethic
• You have excellent organizational and time management skills and attention to detail
• You are an outside-of-the-box thinker who thrives on innovation to drive mission success – even if it means we fail once in a while
• You are comfortable working independently and in a wide range of social and business settings
• You are professional, friendly, and enjoy networking, communicating, and engaging with internal and external constituencies
• You are proficient in computer applications including Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and have knowledge of or are ready to learn fundraising systems including Raiser’s Edge NXT and OneCause
• You are ready to support other departments and contribute to the overall team spirit at SOCO
• You have a sense of humor
• You have the ability to work weekends and evenings as needed, travel independently throughout the state, lift and carry 30 lbs.
Additional Requirements:
Applicants will undergo a background check after conditional employment offer. Applicants must possess a valid Colorado driver’s license, (or willingness to obtain one within a month of employment) with a driving record that allows employees to be covered by agency auto insurance and drive agency vehicles (must be at least 21 years old) with at least 2 years of driving experience. Applicants must also have access to a personal vehicle to travel throughout the state. Mileage reimbursement is provided.
Benefits:
Our comprehensive benefits package includes Health, Dental and Vision Insurance; Life, AD&D and Long-Term Disability Insurance; Flexible Spending Accounts, a 401K plan with a 2% company match at the end of the year. SOCO has a “Flexible Time Off” policy, offers paid holidays, paid family leave, and employees are eligible for 5-week sabbatical every 5 years of service with the organization. Additionally, we offer flexible work hours as allowable per the job responsibilities and professional development opportunities annually. We are willing to consider candidates outside of Colorado but are unable to provide a relocation package for this position.
Compensation:
The Event Manager (LETR) position is an exempt full-time position with an annual salary range of $51,205 - $62,475. A bonus may be available dependent on organizational performance. Compensation will be commensurate with experience and qualifications.
Application Process:
Interested applicants should email the following to [email protected] by September 1, 2026:
- Cover letter (1-page or less) that includes why you want to join the Special Olympics Colorado team and why you feel this position is a good fit for you.
- Resume
Our interview process takes approximately 3-4 weeks after the priority application deadline. A complete application is required for consideration for this position.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion:
Special Olympics Colorado is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion,
gender, gender identity or expression, orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.
💡 Quick Summary
Seeking a career-building opportunity? The Event Manager |LETR position is now open for candidates interested in the Event Management Jobs sector. This role in Centennial offers a professional environment and growth potential.
Requirement Snapshot: Candidates should possess basic communication skills, a proactive attitude, and the ability to work in a team. Experience in Event Management Jobs is a plus.
