Description
JOB OVERVIEW
The Development Events Manager is responsible for strategically managing, developing, and producing the Alliance’s major fundraising events, including but not limited to the Prospect Park Alliance Annual Gala and Prospect Park Soiree. This role leads fundraising, planning, and execution of all events under the purview of the Development Department, working with key stakeholders, funders, vendors, and cross-departmental staff. The Development Events Manager also strategizes, plans, and executes events for Alliance donors, and supports the President’s assistant in executing Board of Directors events and meetings, in addition to other events and new programs under the Development department’s purview.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS / KEY JOB OUTCOMES
Event Strategy, Production & Management
- Develop and produce best-in-class fundraising events, including but not limited to the Prospect Park Alliance Annual Gala and Prospect Park Soiree, from concept to day of execution to ensure that Alliance revenue objectives are achieved
- Work with the Director of Institutional Giving and Events, the VP, and the President, and manage the fundraising strategy and implementation for each event to ensure revenue goals are met, including the direct solicitation of table and ticket sales, contributions, in-kind donations, and sponsorships
- Lead, manage, and execute all areas of event preparation and logistics, including budgets, schedules, vendor procurement, floor plans and seating arrangements, catering and menus, décor, music and/or other forms of entertainment, marketing collateral, signage, and other visual collateral, event communications, guest lists and invitations, supplies, and other event and production details as required
- Lead on-site event production and execution, ensuring that events are executed according to plan and resolving issues as they arise to ensure a positive guest experience
- Working with external agencies, consultants, and vendors, secure all event permits, including Temporary Place of Assembly, State Liquor Authority, and Tent permits
- Manage event committees as needed to ensure fundraising goals are met, volunteer leadership is successfully engaged and events are executed successfully
- Work with the Communications and External Relations team to create event marketing collateral, including but not limited to invitations, signage, and electronic assets
- Regularly communicates with invitees, event prospects, vendors, volunteers, Prospect Park Alliance staff, and other stakeholders
- Maintain relationships with Alliance stakeholders, funders, supporters, and key organizational partners
- Conceptualize, plan, and execute eight to ten cultivation events for Prospect Partners and members, collaborating with other key Alliance staff, including the Director, Individual Giving, on event concept and goals
- Plans and leads additional events for the Campaign for Prospect Park, major donors, and the Board of Directors as needed, including the Annual Board Cocktail Party
- Plan and execute annual Arbor Day community tree planting, with support from the Director of Individual Giving
- Collaborate with Communications and External Relations staff on digital and print collateral for events; work with external vendors on event details, scope of work, logistics, pricing, and contracts
- Responsible for recruiting, staffing, and managing volunteers for all Prospect Park Alliance fundraising and large-scale cultivation events
- Ensure gift entry, ticket sales, and acknowledgment of event-related gifts happen in a timely fashion
Administrative & Infrastructure Support
- Maintain project management schedules to accurately document and track all event activities, costs, and financial outcomes and provide regular reports to department leadership
- Coordinate and conduct post-event evaluations to assess impact and outcomes relative to financial goals for all events and to identify areas for improvement and progress
- Maintain all event calendars for the Development department
- Collaborate with the Director of Institutional Giving and Events and Communications and External Relations department in supporting the organization’s communications, social media strategy, website, digital presence, photography, and printed collateral that support fundraising activities, events, and programs
- Assist with general Development Department activities including mailings, general presentations, etc.
- Ensures that all printed materials are well-written and proofed, including but not limited to letters, proposals, invitations, mailing lists, and reports
Requirements
EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE
- Bachelor’s Degree in a relevant discipline
- 4-7 years of Events Management and Fundraising experience in a fast-paced environment, preferably with a nonprofit organization or in the public sector, and have worked as a part of a fundraising program; experience in outdoor event production a plus
- A valid/unexpired NYS Driver’s License
COMPENSATION + BENEFITS
- Job Grade: 4 (Front-Line Managerial & Skilled Professionals)
- Salary Range: $67,000 to $73,000 annual gross earnings
- FLSA Status: Exempt
- The Alliance offers a comprehensive benefits package including:
Medical, Dental, Vision
Supplemental Options: AFLAC, Flexible Spending Account, Dependent Care FSA + Commuter Benefits, Pet Insurance
403b Contributions + 2% Employer Contributions
20 Vacation Days + 10 Paid Sick Days
13 Paid Holidays (all eligible to float/carryover)
Important Note: Salary offered will be based on several factors, including job-related knowledge, skills, and experience
WORKING CONDITIONS & PHYSICAL DEMANDS
- Work is normally performed in an interior office setting which does not subject the employee to any hazardous or unusual elements
- Requires operating a motor vehicle, standing for extended periods; stooping, bending, kneeling, crouching, lifting, pushing, pulling, and crawling; use of a desktop, laptop, or video display terminal, and identifying and distinguishing colors and shades of color
- Requires routine physical movements with limited physical exertion
- Requires communicating information with co-workers, stakeholders, and the public; reading correspondence, instructions, and technical documents; writing correspondence and reports and filling in forms
COMPETENCIES (Knowledge, Skills & Personal Attributes)
Passion for the Alliance Mission & Core Values: A passion for public parks and environmental conservation combined with a commitment to treating others with respect, appreciating individual differences, and embracing the values of diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Ethics & Integrity: Earns the trust and respect of others through a consistent commitment to integrity, honesty and professionalism in all interactions.
Job Knowledge:
- Event + Project Management: Ability to create and develop small and large-scale events, specifically outdoor events or events that take place in public space, such as festivals, conferences, ceremonies, weddings, formal parties, concerts, or conventions. Involves studying the brand, identifying its target audience, devising the event concept, and coordinating the technical aspects before launching the event. This may include budgeting, scheduling, site selection, acquiring necessary permits, coordinating transportation and parking, arranging for speakers or entertainers, arranging decor, event security, catering, coordinating with third-party vendors, and emergency plans.
- Development and Fundraising Knowledge: Familiarity and comfort with fundraising, donor stewardship, and event management. A strong commitment to quality work and staying up to date on emerging trends and best practices in the field
- Entrepreneurial: Naturally, creative, highly interpersonal and goal-oriented with a drive to positively influence others to further fundraising objectives and organization goals. A passion for developing fresh ideas and approaches to achieve success.
- Relationship Building: A natural relationship builder and demonstrated interpersonal skills and capacity to work with a diverse array of individuals, donors, Board Members and outside vendors. Ability to think strategically and build constructive and positive working relationships with external stakeholders and supporters characterized by a high level of acceptance, cooperation, and mutual respect.
- Contract Negotiation: Understand contract components, resolve differences amicably, and obtain maximum value for the Alliance.
- Resilience & Adaptability: Ability to have a "go with the flow" attitude to overcome the challenges of hosting events. Calm demeanor in front of guests and ability to react and think quickly on your feet to address and resolve unexpected issues.
Customer Service: Exhibits a strong commitment to delivering excellent and responsive service to internal and external stakeholders.
Planning, Organizing & Problem-Solving: Able to manage multiple projects effectively. Defines tasks and milestones to achieve objectives and ensures the optimal use of resources to solve problems and accomplish work objectives effectively. Alerts others to possible problems promptly and knows when to seek support and direction from others to solve problems, while offering possible solutions. Acts on solutions selected and decisions made.
Communication Skills: Ability to convey concepts and make presentations in a clear, culturally competent and understandable manner. Demonstrates effective listening skills and openness to other people’s ideas and suggestions.
Results & Impact Focus: Ability to set priorities, meet deadlines, and highly motivated to consistently produce high quality work and achieve desired outcomes and results.
Decision Making & Problem Solving: Demonstrates broad knowledge of information sources that can be used to assess problems and make decisions. Effectively leverages hard data as inputs to making decisions. Thoroughly analyzes the impact of possible solutions and decisions and shares probable impacts based on experience. Able to garner insight from abstract data and make appropriate decisions. Begins to think several steps ahead in deciding the best course of action, anticipating likely outcomes or implications.
Collaboration & Teamwork: Committed to working in collaboration with others, promoting cooperation and commitment to others, and being a positive team contributor.
Technology: Proficient with automated technologies that support areas of responsibility including Raiser’s Edge, G-Suite, and Microsoft Office Suite.
Diversity Makes Us Stronger Together: Prospect Park Alliance serves park users of all socio-economic and cultural backgrounds and strives to reflect this diversity throughout our operations and in our leadership, staff, stakeholders and supporters. We know that by creating an equitable and inclusive workplace built on mutual respect and the appreciation of difference, our employees will feel safe to express themselves, voice their opinions and work together to find common ground and solutions. Integral to this vision is our longstanding commitment to provide equal employment opportunity for all employees and applicants for employment.
