Events Specialist

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Introduction:
Bring your skills, compassion and care to support people affected by alcohol and other drugs. Join our team at Odyssey House NSW and help us reconnect lives, families and communities.

Be part of the diverse and inclusive culture we’re building in which our clients, staff and broader community feel safe, respected and valued.

Take your opportunity to thrive at a leading not-for-profit where we trust in your limitless potential.

Odyssey House NSW’s trauma-informed services set us apart as a leader in the support service space for alcohol and other drugs dependency. Our teams help clients to meet their goals and address underlying trauma and mental health issues, while also developing new skills to improve all aspects of their lives.

We provide a diverse range of services to individuals, families and community education. Our services include withdrawal services; one-on-one assessment and treatment by psychologists and counsellors; group therapy; residential rehabilitation; and free education at Odyssey College.

Our organisation takes safeguarding children and young people seriously, and as an employee of Odyssey House NSW, you are required to meet the behaviour standards outlined in our Code of Conduct.

Find us at our head office in Redfern and at our network of residential rehabilitation and community sites which span across Greater Sydney, the Southern Highlands and Blue Mountains.

If you are interested in this opportunity, meet the selection criteria and believe you are a great fit for our organisation, apply using the link.

Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.

Description:
Working with the Fundraising Manager, the Event Specialist will support the planning and delivery of a high-profile calendar of fundraising and stewardship events.

These events engage major donors, partners, staff and community leaders, and directly support life-changing recovery programs across NSW.

We’re looking for an experienced, confident, highly organised, purpose-driven events professional who thrives in a fast-paced environment and enjoys creating meaningful, polished and impactful experiences.

About the role

The Events Specialist is responsible for the end-to-end planning, coordination and delivery of Odyssey House NSW’s flagship fundraising and stewardship events. This is a hands-on role requiring strong event delivery expertise, creative and experiential thinking, and disciplined project management.

From supplier and stakeholder coordination through to on-the-day leadership, you will be trusted to ensure complex events run seamlessly and to a high standard.

You will build strong relationships with internal teams, suppliers and supporters, and play a key role in delivering experiences that strengthen engagement and fundraising outcomes.

Key responsibilities and activities

You will play a central role in delivering a high-profile, strategic calendar of events that directly support Odyssey House NSW’s work, including:

Supporting the end-to-end planning and delivery of Odyssey’s flagship events, from concept and logistics through to on-the-day execution

Coordination of all aspects of event delivery, including:
Venue liaison and booking
Speaker and entertainment coordination
Guest and supplier management
Raffle and auction procurement
Internal volunteer coordination
On-site event coordination, including set-up and pack-down

Delivering an exceptional annual events calendar, including:
ARIA Major Donor Lunch (March)
Odyssey Women’s Lunch (May)
Odyssey Open Day (September/October)
Australian Fund Manager Awards (AFMA) (October)
Odyssey Breakfast (November/December)
Staff Development Day (December)

With exposure to senior stakeholders, major donors and corporate partners, this role is ideal for someone who thrives in a fast-paced, purpose-driven environment, and enjoys balancing planning with hands-on delivery.

Strong supplier coordination, project management, attention to detail and the ability to juggle multiple priorities are essential - as is a genuine passion for creating experiences that make a difference.

Skills and Experiences:
At least three - five years’ experience in a similar events role
Demonstrated experience planning and delivering large-scale fundraising gala-style events
Proven ability to secure event sponsorships and deliver high-quality outcomes
Highly-developed written and verbal communication skills, with excellent attention to detail.
Strong project management skills, with the ability to coordinate multiple competing priorities
Exceptional time management, organisation and problem-solving skills, with the ability to draft timely, concise reports, briefings and updates for senior management.
Ability to stay calm and engage positively with people from a range of backgrounds and experiences
A self-motivated, proactive person able to work with minimal supervision, while also enjoying collaboration within a hands-on team environment.
Entrepreneurial, creative, and agile approach to event delivery
Demonstrated ability to hold confidential information in a trustworthy manner.
Experience working in fundraising, with a creative flair to bring to the event portfolio.
Current National Police Check
Current Working With Children Employee Clearance
Right to live and work in Australia
COVID Vaccinated

For further information, please contact Fiona Jessiman on (02) 9030 3999 or email fiona.jessiman@odysseyhouse.com.au