Reports To: Director of Community Engagement & Entrepreneurship
Type: Full-time, hourly | 35 hours/week
Location: Fayetteville, AR
Starting Pay: $22.00/hour

SUMMARY

The Entrepreneurship Outreach & Events Coordinator supports Canopy NWA's community engagement and entrepreneurship efforts through event coordination, marketing, promotion, and community outreach. The position has a primary focus on Inspired Hands events and the promotion of Canopy entrepreneurs while also serving as the lead coordinator and point person for Canopy events across the organization.

This role works closely with the Inspired Hands Coordinator, Communications Coordinator, Partnerships Coordinator, and other Canopy staff to plan, organize, promote, and execute events that engage the community and advance Canopy's mission. The Coordinator will help bring together event teams, establish clear roles and timelines, coordinate logistics, and ensure events run smoothly from planning through completion.

A major responsibility of this position is coordinating Canopy's annual World Refugee Day celebration in June, the organization's largest community event of the year. The Coordinator will work across departments and with community partners to organize the many components necessary for a successful event.

The position will also work closely with the Inspired Hands Coordinator Training Manager to promote Inspired Hands products, coordinate markets and pop-ups, develop community partnerships, and increase visibility and opportunities for Inspired Hands participants and Canopy entrepreneurs throughout Northwest Arkansas.

The ideal candidate is highly organized, proactive, creative, adaptable, comfortable managing multiple priorities, and confident bringing people together around a shared plan. They should enjoy both behind-the-scenes coordination and hands-on participation at events and be passionate about supporting refugee and immigrant entrepreneurs and strengthening community connections.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

Event Coordination & Execution

• Serve as the primary point person and coordinator for Canopy events, helping ensure events are organized, well communicated, and successfully executed.

• Coordinate event planning from initial concept through completion, including timelines, logistics, staffing, vendors, partners, supplies, setup, execution, and breakdown.

• Work collaboratively with the Communications Coordinator, Inspired Hands Coordinator, Fundraising Coordinator, and other staff to identify event needs, responsibilities, deadlines, and deliverables.

• Build and coordinate event teams as needed, ensuring team members understand their roles and have the information and resources necessary to carry them out.

• Maintain event calendars, planning documents, checklists, timelines, and other organizational tools.

• Serve as the primary event-day point person for most Canopy events and help troubleshoot logistical needs as they arise.

• Attend and actively support most Canopy events, including occasional evenings and weekends.

• Lead coordination of Canopy's annual World Refugee Day celebration in June, working across departments and with community partners to manage planning, logistics, vendors, participants, volunteers, promotion, and event-day execution.

• Conduct post-event follow-up and debriefs to document outcomes, lessons learned, and opportunities for improvement.

Inspired Hands Events & Markets

• Work closely with the Inspired Hands Coordinator to plan and coordinate Inspired Hands markets, pop-ups, sales opportunities, and community events.

• Attend and support Inspired Hands farmers markets, pop-ups, and other community-facing events.

• Coordinate event setup, product displays, sales needs, customer engagement, and breakdown as needed.

• Support inventory coordination, product transportation, and order pickups associated with markets and events.

• Identify opportunities for Inspired Hands participants and other Canopy entrepreneurs to participate in markets, pop-ups, festivals, and collaborative community events.

Marketing & Entrepreneur Promotion

• Collaborate with the Communications Coordinator, Inspired Hands Coordinator, and Entrepreneurship Team to develop marketing and promotional content highlighting Inspired Hands, Canopy entrepreneurs, products, programs, and events.

• Manage and schedule Inspired Hands social media content using Trello, Canva, and other organizational tools.

• Create photographs, videos, flyers, and other promotional materials to highlight entrepreneurs, products, markets, and events.

• Maintain and update the Inspired Hands website and Shopify shop, including product listings, pricing, and event details.

• Coordinate with the Communications Coordinator to ensure event marketing needs, timelines, and promotional materials are communicated and completed.

• Support broader efforts to increase community awareness of and engagement with Canopy entrepreneurs.

Community Engagement & Partnerships

• Develop and maintain relationships with local businesses, community organizations, market partners, vendors, and other potential collaborators.

• Identify opportunities to expand the visibility and reach of Inspired Hands, Canopy entrepreneurs, and the organization throughout Northwest Arkansas.

• Reach out to community partners to explore retail opportunities for Inspired Hands products, including sewing products, baked goods, and other participant-created goods.

• Coordinate opportunities for Inspired Hands participants and Canopy entrepreneurs to engage in collaborative events, pop-ups, markets, and community activities.

• Communicate with external partners regarding event logistics, participation, expectations, and follow-up.

• Represent Canopy and Inspired Hands in the community in a professional, welcoming, and mission aligned manner.

Program & Team Support

• Work closely with and provide coordination support to the Inspired Hands Coordinator.

• Collaborate across departments to ensure event, marketing, fundraising, and community engagement efforts are aligned and well communicated.

• Provide administrative and logistical support to the Entrepreneurship Team as needed.

• Assist with cohort classes, workshops, entrepreneur celebrations, and other program activities when needed.

• Maintain organized records related to events, partnerships, marketing activities, and program outcomes.

• Support the collection of event and program data, participant stories, photographs, and other information used to demonstrate community impact.

• Participate in team meetings, event planning meetings, strategy sessions, and cross-departmental collaboration.

• Support special projects and additional responsibilities aligned with Canopy's mission and strategic goals.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

High school diploma or equivalent preferred; relevant experience may be considered in place of formal education.

Experience in marketing and graphic design.

Experience working with refugee and immigrant communities, women's programs, cottage industry initiatives, food service, catering, inventory, customer service, or community-based programs is a plus.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Ability to communicate effectively with participants, customers, and staff. Additional spoken language of a client population is a plus, including Swahili, Arabic, French, Pashto, Dari, or Farsi.

REASONING ABILITY

Ability to solve practical problems, manage multiple tasks, and respond to changing program needs. Ability to follow written and verbal instructions and work independently when needed.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

A valid driver's license and reliable transportation will be required for transportation-related duties.

TO APPLY

Please send a resume and cover letter to Laurie Morrow at laurie.morrow@canopynwa.org.