Pat Tillman Foundation (PTF) unites and empowers remarkable military veterans and spouses as the next generation of public and private sector leaders committed to service beyond self. Inspired by Pat Tillman, who proudly put his NFL career with the Arizona Cardinals on hold to serve his country, family and friends established the Pat Tillman Foundation following Pat’s death in April 2004 while serving with the 75th Ranger Regiment in Afghanistan. Over the last 17 years, the Pat Tillman Foundation has supported over 750 Tillman Scholars as they’ve furthered their education and increased their professional impact in the world.

PTF seeks an experienced and dynamic Events Manager to execute the planning and operations of Pat’s Run, PTF’s signature fundraising event, Pat Tillman Leadership Summit (PTLS), Tillman Honors, and other events as needed. The Events Manager will oversee the preparation of all key tactical activities related to Pat’s Run, which will be 40% of the job focus, and support other departments in planning and logistics for other foundation events. 

We understand that people gain skills through a variety of professional, personal, educational, and volunteer experiences. If you believe you have the skills to succeed in this role, regardless of industry, we encourage you to apply.

Who You Are

  • Driven and Adaptable. You want to leverage the skills you’ve built over your 3-5 years of experience, whether in event management, operations management, or elsewhere, that demonstrate exceptional vision and effective planning.

  • Inspired and Motivating. You are moved by the selfless sacrifice of our country’s veterans and their families, even if you didn’t serve personally. You love working with people and know how to excite the community about getting involved with PTF and Pat’s Run.

  • Relationship Management. You can build and maintain strong working relationships with volunteers, vendors, sponsors, event committee members, friends of the foundation, and the community, and you provide a high caliber of customer service to all of the above. 

  • Project Manager. You can build, share, and maintain replicable systems for numerous events across PTF that create continuity of high-level service and operational effectiveness.

  • Scrappy. You are willing to roll up your sleeves and help teammates across departments to accomplish events; from loading/unloading supplies to creating detailed staff plans for seamless event execution.

  • Highly Organized. You are a systems thinker who can manage multiple projects and prioritize appropriately to produce high-quality results quickly and on time. You create clear and logical systems and processes to support your work and that of your team.

  • Detail-Oriented. You are highly efficient and detailed with customer relationship management (CRM) lists and software. You can use these tools to create impactful ways and means to operationalize organizational strategies.

  • Well-spoken (and written). You are a clear, efficient, and effective communicator with exceptional oral, written, and customer service communication skills. You are comfortable speaking to crowds and are motivating. 

  • Passionate. You care about making a difference in the world and want to support veterans and their families working at an impactful level across sectors including health, law, business, policy, academia, government, and defense. You want to come to work and feel inspired every day. You want to change the world. 

What You’ll Do

Volunteer Management

  • Manage Volunteer Coordinator for Pat’s Run and lead all-volunteer efforts for PTF events

  • Manage Event  Committees and provide recommendations/guidance for execution

  • Facilitate monthly Pat’s Run Race Committee Meetings and other logistics planning meetings as needed

  • Lead, organize, and motivate over 2,000 volunteers on race day and in the planning phase

  • Demonstrate a high level of focus on customer service for volunteers and all stakeholders

Community Building

  • Serve as liaison between PTF and Arizona State University, Roosevelt University, and other major vendors to facilitate contracts and agreements for PTF activities. 

  • Represent PTF in Arizona through meetings with key supporters and media appearances as needed

  • Oversee event-day staff, facilitate communications and provide recommendations for improvement

  • Develop and manage the budget in collaboration with other departments

  • Manage and execute PTF project plans from 20 people to 35,000 people 

Event Logistics

  • Develop and implement a systematic approach to event planning, focused on repeatability and efficiency, and effectiveness against each event’s goals

  • Oversee procurement and delivery of services, contractors, supplies and equipment

  • Collaborate with Programs, Communications, Development, and Operations teammates to ensure event value is maximized across PTF, including marketing and outreach planning

  • Deliver monthly financial reporting for events to the Director of Operations, including deposits, registration reconciliation, and audit documents, as needed

  • Partner with teammates to improve data management practices


    This position will report to the Director of Operations and is based in Tempe, AZ. Travel is required, likely once a month. The position is available immediately.

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