Development Assistant – Champions Ball

Description

 Special Olympics Illinois is a not-for-profit sports organization offering year-round training and competition in 18 sports to a community of more than 60,000 traditional athletes, Young Athletes, Unified partners, coaches, volunteers, and more. It strives to be a global leader in shaping a culture where people with and without intellectual disabilities are fully integrated into the community by providing year-round opportunities in competitive sports, health education, leadership and personal development. As a part of the Special Olympics Illinois team, you’ll join an energetic and hard-working group of individuals committed to transforming the lives of those we serve. 

Position Overview

Special Olympics Illinois is actively recruiting for the role of Development Assistant –Champions Ball. This role is a temporary part-time, paid position for the Fall of 2026.

The Development Assistant will be a key point of contact for attendees of the Champions Ball and serve as a key player in supporting sales throughout the fall. The Development Assistant will be responsible for communication with participants, managing registration website, assisting with both silent and live auctions, and event prep.

Primary Responsibilities

• Communicate with and manage sales teams participating in the Champions Ball
• Track and organize revenue from ticket sales
• Assist in overseeing the event website and manage participant questions and inquiries
• Assist with live and silent auction
• Attend the Champions Ball on November 7, 2026
• Support the Director and Assistant Director of Development – Special Events with other event-related tasks as assigned

Qualifications

• Junior or Senior pursuing a Bachelor’s degree (or recent graduate) in a related field strongly recommended (marketing, communications, business/sales)
• High energy and passion for Special Olympics Illinois mission
• Must be comfortable responsibly handling cash and credit card transactions and maintaining confidential information
• Strong organizational and time management skills with exceptional attention to detail
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Proficient with Microsoft Office and strong computer skills
• Comfortable with driving and navigating throughout the City of Chicago and Chicagoland suburbs

Requirements

• Based in Chicago office; flexible work schedule with work in multiple locations
• This is a part-time temporary role, not to exceed 30 hours per week, to be performed from September 2026 – November 2026
• Reports to Assistant Director of Development – Special Events
• Tuesday through Thursday with frequent evenings and weekends as position/event demands
• Independent in-state travel may be required, including some overnight and weekend travel as an essential function of position
• Physical mobility required: must be able to climb stairs, assist in setup and breakdown at events, stand or sit for long periods of time, and load and unload vehicles
• Medium work required, which involves lifting no more than 50 pounds at a time with frequent lifting or carrying of objects weighing up to 25 pounds; requires a good deal of walking, standing, and/or sitting with some pushing and pulling of arm or leg controls; includes sedentary work
• Close visual acuity required to perform activities such as: preparing and analyzing data and figures; transcribing; viewing a computer terminal; extensive reading; visual inspection involving small defects, small parts, and/or operation of machines; operating motor vehicles
• Valid driver’s license and proof of insurance is required
• Offers of employment are contingent upon clear results of a background check

Pay Range: $17.05 hr

Benefits 

2 hours of paid time off earned for every 35 hours worked. Up to 13 days may be carried over annually. 401(k) options for all employees working over 1,000 hours annually. 

Special Olympics Illinois is committed to building a diverse, creative, engaged, collaborative, and hard-working team that is dedicated to our athletes, our communities, and each other. Our employees are our most valuable asset, and we aim to create a positive atmosphere where employees feel valued and fulfilled. We truly want people to love working here, and we strive to create a culture that allows for growth, opportunity, and fun.

Special Olympics Illinois is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, creed, age, disability, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, familial status, pregnancy, predisposing genetic characteristics, military status, domestic violence victim status, criminal conviction, and all other protected classes under federal or state laws.

We will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities.