Careers

Senior Associate, Events  

Founded in 1977, the Les Turner ALS Foundation is the oldest independent ALS group in the country. For over 45 years, we have taken an individualized approach to ensure each person living with the disease receives the best quality of care and access to the most promising therapies. We treat each person like family, supporting them every step of the way, and provide their loved ones with answers and encouragement.   

Our Les Turner ALS Center at Northwestern Medicine is led by the most well-respected and successful clinicians and researchers in the field, advancing vital care and research in pursuit of life-enhancing treatments and a cure. 

Our mission is to provide the most comprehensive care and support to people living with ALS and their families so they can confidently navigate the disease, and advance scientific research for the prevention, treatment and cure of ALS. 

Position Description

The Senior Associate, Events, plays a critical role in advancing the Les Turner ALS Foundation’s mission by leading the coordination and execution of signature fundraising events, peer-to-peer campaigns, and community-based initiatives. This position offers a meaningful opportunity to help shape experiences that inspire generosity, raise awareness, and deliver vital support to individuals living with ALS and their families. 

This role is ideal for an energetic, organized, and creative professional with experience in event planning, donor engagement, and volunteer coordination - someone who thrives in a collaborative, mission-driven environment. 

Reports to 
Director of Events and Partnerships

Essential Responsibilities 

Event Planning & Execution 

• Coordinate logistics for the Foundation’s signature events, including the Hope Through Caring Gala (spring, Chicago), ALS Walk for Life (fall, Chicago Lakefront), Lou Gehrig ALS Awareness Days (Chicago White Sox and Cubs games), and Team Race for ALS (Chicago Marathon and other local/national races). 

• Manage key elements such as venue selection, vendor relationships, timelines, budgets, signage, and participant needs. 

• Collaborate with the Marketing and Communications team to develop branded, engaging event materials and promotions. 

• Support and enhance guest and donor experiences with creative ideas and personalized outreach. 

• Track event performance and metrics to ensure alignment with revenue and engagement goals. 

Community Fundraising & Engagement 

• Serve as the primary contact for individuals and groups leading peer-to-peer fundraising efforts as part of our Fundraise Your Way program. 

• Provide planning support, branded materials, and promotional guidance to empower community fundraisers. 

• Monitor fundraising outcomes and ensure appropriate donor stewardship and recognition. 

Volunteer Coordination 

• Manage volunteer assignments for all signature events and engagement opportunities, ensuring a seamless experience for all involved. 

Sponsor & Donor Stewardship 

• Partner with the Development team to identify, cultivate, and steward sponsors and donors through events and campaigns. 

• Assist in donor outreach, acknowledgment, and engagement before, during, and after events. 

Technology & Innovation 

• Provide technical support and contribute to platform improvements for peer-to-peer fundraising and event registration tools (e.g., OneCause, GiveSmart). 

• Embrace hybrid event formats and contribute to innovation in virtual and in-person donor experiences. 

Qualifications 

Required: 

• Passion for the Les Turner ALS Foundation’s mission and a deep commitment to supporting individuals and families impacted by ALS. 

• 2–3 years of experience in event planning, fundraising, or nonprofit development, preferably with peer-to-peer campaign experience. 

• Strong organizational and project management skills; capable of managing multiple deadlines and priorities. 

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills; able to build relationships with diverse stakeholders. 

• Ability to lift and carry event materials (up to 25 lbs) and work occasional evenings/weekends for events. 

Preferred: 

• Proficiency with event and donor platforms such as Virtuous, OneCause, and GiveSmart (or willingness to learn quickly). 

• Experience coordinating volunteers and working with vendors. 

• Bachelor’s degree in nonprofit management, communications, marketing, or a related field. 

What We Offer  

You will be part of a small, committed team that is making a real impact in the lives of people affected by ALS. This role offers opportunities for creativity, professional growth, and meaningful contribution in an organization that values collaboration, compassion, and excellence. 

We invite mission-driven professionals who are excited to help grow our reach and deepen our impact to apply. 

Our benefits package includes comprehensive health insurance, 401k with organizational match, generous paid time off and holidays, flexible work arrangements, and summer hours, as well as disability and life insurance. 

Our team works a hybrid schedule – generally 60% in the office, on days selected by the employee with manager approval. Located in Skokie, IL, the office is easily accessible by car and CTA/Pace public transportation. 

To Apply 

Please submit a cover letter and resume to cpaesel@lesturnerals.org writing “Senior Associate, Events” in the subject line.  

Please note that applications sent without a cover letter will not be considered. 

The Les Turner ALS Foundation is an equal-opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We encourage individuals from underrepresented backgrounds to apply. We will not discriminate and will take affirmative action measures to ensure against discrimination in employment, recruitment, advertisements for employment, compensation, termination, upgrading, promotions, and other conditions of employment against any employee or job applicant on the basis of race, color, gender, religion (creed), national origin (ancestry), age, marital status, disability, military status, sexual orientation or gender expression. 

The Senior Associate, Events is a full-time, salaried, non-exempt position. The Foundation complies with the Fair Labor Standards Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act. 

Accounts Payable and Office Coordinator
(32 hours/week)

The Les Turner ALS Foundation provides comprehensive care and support services to people living with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and their families. Through research, support services, and advocacy, we strive to improve the quality of life for those living with ALS and ultimately find a cure for this devastating disease.

Position Description

The Accounts Payable and Office Coordinator plays a key role in supporting the day-to-day functioning of the Les Turner ALS Foundation by managing essential tasks while ensuring the smooth operation of our office. This position is ideal for someone who enjoys both structure and variety—balancing responsibilities in human resources and payables with general administrative and facilities support.

Working closely with leadership and staff across departments, this individual will help maintain a positive and productive work environment that supports the Foundation’s mission of providing care and support to people living with ALS.

Reports to
Chief Operations Officer

Key Responsibilities

Finance & Payables (50%)

• Process vendor invoices and employee reimbursements in accordance with established procedures
• Ensure timely and accurate entry of payables into accounting systems
• Assist with financial documentation and audit preparation as needed
• Liaise with the Foundation’s accountant or finance consultants as directed

Human Resources (20%)

• Support employee onboarding and offboarding processes
• Maintain up-to-date employee records and personnel files
• Assist with benefits administration and liaise with external providers
• Track HR compliance deadlines (e.g., training, certifications, policy acknowledgments)
• Support recruitment processes, including posting jobs and scheduling interviews

Office & Administrative Support (30%)

• Answer incoming phone calls and direct inquiries appropriately
• Accept, sort, and distribute mail and packages
• Maintain office supplies inventory and place orders as needed
• Serve as primary point of contact for general office upkeep and equipment maintenance
• Greet visitors and create a welcoming office environment
• Provide scheduling or logistics support for internal meetings, training, or events

Qualifications

• Minimum of 2-3 years of experience in payables or office coordination role; nonprofit experience a plus
• Familiarity with basic accounting systems (Financial Edge a plus)
• Highly organized and detail-oriented, with strong follow-through
• Comfortable managing multiple responsibilities in a dynamic small-team environment
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Discretion and professionalism when handling sensitive employee or financial information
• Ability to lift and carry materials (up to 25 lbs)
• Some college required; bachelor’s degree preferred

Benefit & Work Environment

We are a small, collaborative, and mission-driven team. This role is ideal for someone who is resourceful, dependable, and takes pride in keeping operations running smoothly behind the scenes. This role offers opportunities for creativity, professional growth, and meaningful contribution in an organization that values collaboration, compassion, and excellence.

Our benefits package includes comprehensive health insurance, 401k with organizational match, generous paid time off and holidays, flexible work arrangements, and summer hours, as well as disability and life insurance.

Duties will be performed at our office in Skokie, Illinois.

To Apply

Please submit a cover letter and resume to cpaesel@lesturnerals.org writing “Accounts Payable and Office Coordinator” in the subject line. Please note that applications sent without a cover letter will not be considered.

The Les Turner ALS Foundation is an equal-opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We encourage individuals from underrepresented backgrounds to apply. We will not discriminate and will take affirmative action measures to ensure against discrimination in employment, recruitment, advertisements for employment, compensation, termination, upgrading, promotions, and other conditions of employment against any employee or job applicant on the basis of race, color, gender, religion (creed), national origin (ancestry), age, marital status, disability, military status, sexual orientation or gender expression. This is a full-time (32hours/week), salaried, non-exempt position. The Foundation complies with the Fair Labor Standards Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act.