Food For Free is hiring an Auction manager—a temporary, part-time position
Food For Free is a non-profit organization that improves access to healthy food within our community by: rescuing food that would otherwise go to waste, strengthening the community food system, and creating new distribution channels to reach underserved populations.

We envision a future where everyone in our community—regardless of age, income or ability—has consistent access to fresh, healthy, delicious food.

Summary

Food For Free is hiring a part-time Auction Manager to execute the auction portion of our Party Under the Harvest Moon fundraiser. This temporary, part-time position runs from mid-June through late October 2016. Hours worked will range from about 5 hours/week in June to about 30 hours during the week of the event, which is October 20—about 200 hours in all. The Auction Manager is responsible for managing all aspects of the auction and for reaching an income target of $20,000.

Responsibilities

Item Solicitation

• Work with the Development Director to identify areas where new donors are needed and to identify prospective donors
• Work with the Party Committee to brainstorm one-of-a-kind experiences, and to close these asks
• Develop a plan to solicit from new donors, including direct mail, cold calls, and personal asks
• Follow up on both new asks and asks to previous donors (begun earlier in the year)
• Oversee collection of item forms/information
• Organize item information and oversee data entry
• Track progress toward targets and adjust tactics as necessary to meet income goal
• Work with the Development Assistant to ensure that donors receive timely thank-yous

Committee and Volunteer Management

• Attend Party Committee meetings as needed (typically one evening per month)
• Communicate effectively with Party Committee to help them close their personal asks and to keep them informed of progress
• Recruit and manage volunteers to help with asks, data entry, and item/display collection
• Recruit, train, and manage volunteers to assist with running the auction on the night of the event

Auction Software Management

• Learn and use 501 Auctions auction management software
• Oversee data entry and uploading of images for all auction items
• Work with Development Director to update all event information in the 501 Auctions system
• Ensure that online auction software is up and running one week before the event to allow for online bidding
• Work with the Development Assistant to promote the auction and online bidding via emails and social media
• Manage the 501 Auctions software on the day of the event, including troubleshooting, as necessary

Creation of Auction Program

• Ensure that all item information is received in time to create the printed program
• Write item descriptions OR oversee volunteers in writing them
• Work with Development Director to collect non-auction content (such as ads)
• Oversee layout and proofreading
• Work with printers to produce a high-quality printed program under a tight timeline

Day-of-Event Management

• Be the face of the auction at the Party Under the Harvest Moon, on October 20
• Train and manage volunteers to assist party guests with their auction participation
• Troubleshoot technical challenges with the 501 Auctions system, as necessary
• Ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience for Party guests/auction bidders
• Participate in strike (clean-up) with particular responsibility for auction items, supplies, and tools

Post-Event

• Ensure that the Development staff receive all relevant data on auction sales, payments outstanding, and any items not collected day-of

Skills & Qualifications

• Personal honesty and integrity
• Maturity and sound judgment
• Ability to handle confidential information with sensitivity
• A warm and professional demeanor, in person, on the phone, and in written communications
• A high level of organization and time-management skills
• Attention to detail
• Ability to work with a range of people and personalities effectively
• Experience managing volunteers strongly desired
  

• A high level of proficiency with Microsoft Word and Excel
• Familiarity with, or the ability to learn quickly, our online auction management system (501 Auctions)
• Experience with desk-top publishing a plus!
  

• Ability to attend occasional evening meetings in Cambridge
• Ability to work a long day on October 20
• Ability to work in both the Food For Free office and a loud, crowded event

How to apply
Send a resume and cover letter to Michelle Holcomb via email to development@foodforfree.org.