Reports To: Senior Director of Development
Schedule: Generally Monday through Friday. Work week and hours fluctuate based on events schedule and will include evenings and weekends on a regular basis; typical schedule will be 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.; flexibility required.
Classification: Full-time | Exempt
Summary: The Special Events Manager is responsible for the vision, strategy and production of the special events portion of The Center’s fundraising program. The Special Events Manager will serve as the primary liaison for co-chairs, host committee and honorees. They will also serve as the link between The Center and any outside contracted producer(s) and vendors, as well as recruit, train and manage individual volunteers and staff for event roles, and chair related volunteer committees.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
- Provide vision, strategy and direction for all special fundraising and cultivation events for The Center (including all in-house managed and outsourced events).
- Integrate Center values in all events and ensure that Center events are a part of the overall donor cultivation and stewardship strategy.
- Increase fundraising of all revenue generating aspects of event production, including marketing strategies, ticket sales, auctions, raffles, etc.
- Manage all eternal vendors to ensure high-quality events that adhere to event budgets.
- Supervise outside event producers (when utilized) and ensure their work meets the needs and standards of The Center’s fundraising plans and the organizational values.
- Create and solicit RFPs for events as needed and manage contracting for all event-related vendors.
- Create all event-related timelines and deliverables cross-departmentally so that all deadlines are met.
- Manage and mentor event committees, volunteer leaders, and individual event volunteers. Provide timely updates and information to support their efforts on behalf of the Center.
- Provide regular revenue and expense reports to key staff and leadership.
- Ensure, in collaboration with the communications department, the production of all written and printed event-related collateral materials, including invitations, advertisements, web based media, and all other internal and external materials related to Special Events.
- Develop and present all event-related budgets (in collaboration with outside producer, if applicable), to the Senior Director of Development and Chief Financial Officer.
- Organize, inventory and maintain all events related supplies, materials and beverages.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Position Requirements:
- Bachelor’s Degree preferred or equivalent work experience.
- Possess a minimum of three to five (3-5) years of experience working in a fast-paced fundraising/development and/or special events environment.
- Adept at balancing creativity with fundraising goals and fiscal demands.
- Ability to create, manage and execute innovative fundraising strategies.
- Demonstrated experience in vendor and budget management.
- Understanding of cause related marketing and corporate activation best practices.
- Ability to work on multiple projects at one time and to set and stick to priorities.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
- Exceptional organizational skills and attention to details.
- Excellent interpersonal skills; ability to interact with a wide range of stakeholders, including staff, board, and volunteers.
- High level of initiative, dependability, flexibility and a sense of humor.
- Strong computer proficiency with Word and Excel, including mergers and formulas.
- Familiarity with fundraising database management; experience with Salesforce a plus.
- Familiarity with desktop publishing and design skills (Photoshop, PageMaker) a plus.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills; comfort with public speaking.
- A strong commitment to the mission of The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Community Center.
The Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer.