Event Specialist (Part-Time, 8-Month Contract)

Apply by February 14, 2026 About Good Reason Houston Good Reason Houston exists to create a future where every child in every neighborhood of Houston has access to a world class public education that prepares them to thrive in the Houston of tomorrow. We believe that all Houston students deserve an excellent education, and work to reshape the Houston education landscape by inspiring hope, possibility, and action as we work towards our mission of growing the number of students learning in great public schools. Good Reason Houston builds awareness of, advocates for, and advises school systems on measures aimed to improve the quality of education available to all. Today the organization partners with 25 public school systems that collectively serve 700,000 students across +00 public schools in the Houston region. We seek to cultivate a shared regional vision for educational quality, to build the capacity for change required within districts and the greater Houston community, and to foster collective ownership to support student-level results for kids across our city. About The Role Good Reason Houston seeks an experienced Events Specialist to design and execute high-impact events over a +-month contract. Key responsibilities include leading the first annual Houston Schools That Inspire celebration event (April 2026), third annual ConnectED Luncheon (September 2026), and other strategic community convenings such as data briefings, education roundtable dinners, and other donor events. This role ensures these events align with Good Reason Houston’s mission to advance educational equity and strengthen community relationships. The ideal candidate will be an exceptional project manager, executor, and critical thinker with significant experience in event strategy, design, and execution. They must have a demonstrated ability to manage complex projects with a range of audience size (from 10-750+ people), must be comfortable managing individuals and contractors without direct management authority, and must thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced environment. Primary Responsibilities Event Planning and Strategy: • Work with team leads to establish event goals, objectives, and strategies that align with Good Reason Houston’s mission and priorities • Develop detailed event timelines and project plans, ensuring all deadlines and deliverables are met • Define event themes, format, speaker line-ups, and content development in collaboration with internal teams to ensure alignment to objectives Event Logistics and Execution: • Lead the logistical planning for events, including venue selection, catering, AV equipment, décor, registration, and transportation • Coordinate and manage all vendor and supplier relationships, ensuring timely delivery of services and adherence to budget • Manage event budget by tracking expenses, recommending cost-effective solutions when needed • Oversee attendee registration processes, including platform setup, guest list management, and attendance tracking • Serve as the primary point of contact for all event-related questions and issues, ensuring smooth day-of-event execution Community Engagement and Communications: • Coordinate with the communications team to develop and share event promotional materials (e.g., invitations, event websites, and social media content) • Manage communications with stakeholders, sponsors, speakers, and other key participants, ensuring professional and timely correspondence Post-Event Evaluation and Reporting: • Oversee post-event activities, including sending thank-you notes, collecting feedback from attendees, vendors, and staff, and conducting event analysis • Compile event reports to capture key learnings, metrics, and feedback to inform future event strategies • Identify areas for improvement and recommend updates to event processes and strategies Qualifications & Key Attributes • Experience: At least 3-5 years of event planning and execution experience, specifically for events up to 1000 attendees, with a proven track record of managing large-scale events. Experience in the education, non-profit, or community engagement sectors is highly preferred • Project Management Skills: Strong ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, with excellent organizational and time management skills. Comfortable working under pressure to meet tight deadlines • Communication Skills: Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to engage stakeholders and maintain relationships with vendors, sponsors, and community partners • Budget Management: Demonstrated experience in managing event budgets, controlling costs, and finding creative solutions to stay within financial constraints • Attention to Detail: Highly organized, detail-oriented, and proactive in anticipating challenges and solving problems quickly and effectively • Technology Proficiency: Proficiency in event management software, Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint), and familiarity with virtual event platforms (Zoom, Eventbrite, etc.) • Flexibility and Adaptability: Ability to adapt quickly to changing needs and priorities in a fast-paced environment Our Team Along with our core beliefs, the traits listed below were generated by the team to capture what it looks like in action when operating at our best. We embrace and drive change. We are flexible and fierce. We operate with a bold bias toward action. We fess up when we mess up. We dare greatly and engage humbly. We grow as w...