Director Of Events

Children's Aid seeks a strategic, dynamic, and highly organized Director of Events to lead an events team in the planning and execution of all fundraising and stewardship events. The Director of Events will be responsible for designing and delivering high-impact experiences that advance the organization's fundraising goals, deepen donor engagement, and elevate the Children's Aid brand. The ideal candidate is a strategic leader who thrives in a fast-paced environment, has exceptional project management skills, and is adept at working independently and in collaboration with internal and external stakeholders. This position is based in our Harlem Headquarters with a hybrid work schedule.

Essential Duties:

• Lead the strategy, planning, and execution of all fundraising and donor stewardship events, including the annual Children's Aid Benefit, annual Golf Classic, New York City Marathon and Half Marathon teams, and donor cultivation and stewardship events.
• Meet individual event fundraising goals (varying from $50,000 - $2 million+ per event).
• Develop and manage event timelines, budgets, vendor relationships, and logistics.
• Create and implement marketing materials and campaigns, utilizing various internal and external channels to promote each event.
• Recruit and lead event planning committees, comprised of trustees, donors, and prospects, to meet development and event goals.
• Ensure events are mission-aligned, well-branded, and optimized for revenue generation and donor engagement.
• Track and evaluate event ROI, attendee experience, and fundraising outcomes to inform future strategy.
• Develop and drive a multi-year event strategy to maximize long-term revenue by scaling current events and identifying future opportunities in a shifting fundraising landscape.
• Attend all fundraising and stewardship events, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding donors.

Fundraising and Donor Engagement:

• Manage a personal portfolio of donors through moves management to meet annual fundraising goals.
• Cultivate, solicit, and steward event-related donors, sponsors, and partners, including individuals, foundations, and corporations.
• Secure event sponsorships, journal ads, and auction items, as appropriate.
• Collaborate with Major Gifts, Corporate, and Executive teams to align fundraising strategies and ensure coordinated donor outreach.
• Prepare briefing documents and talking points for senior leaders and board members attending events.
• Maintain fundraising database records and track all donor activity in Raiser's Edge.

Team and Cross-Functional Leadership:

• Manage a team of two, Associate Director of Events and Events Associate, fostering professional growth and team effectiveness.
• Serve as the primary liaison to internal teams (program, communications, finance, senior leadership) on event-related matters.
• Engage board members, volunteers, and event committees to maximize impact and reach.
• Work in partnership with entire Development team to accomplish departmental goals.
• Develop and maintain relationships with various program staff to ensure authentic representation of Children's Aid's work and those served.
• Perform additional responsibilities to support the goals of the Development team and the broader mission of Children's Aid, as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree required
• Minimum three to five years' experience in related positions.
• Non-profit and fundraising experience required.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Advanced proficiency with Microsoft 365 applications, including Word, Excel, Outlook, and Teams.

Key Competencies:

• Demonstrated leadership presence with the ability to represent the organization confidently and professionally in diverse settings, including with funders, vendors, and clients.
• Strong interpersonal and organizational skills; capable of working comfortably with individuals at all levels inside and outside the organization.
• Demonstrated success with moves management and donor cultivation.
• Self-starter with the ability to motivate others.
• Detail- and deadline-oriented with excellent planning skills and the ability to work well under pressure.
• Transparent about research, calls, meetings, activities, and all work with manager and team.
• Dependable, organized, and skilled problem-solver.

Preferred Skills and Competencies:

• Experience with CRM or fundraising database management, preferably Raiser's Edge.

It is the policy of Children's Aid to provide equal employment opportunity to all employees and applicants for employment and is dedicated to maintaining a work environment that is free from harassment and discrimination. Children's Aid will not tolerate discrimination, harassment, or retaliation on any basis, including race, creed, color, national origin, ethnicity, alienage or citizenship status, gender/sex (including pregnancy), disability, religion, source of income, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, familial status, caregiver status, military status, marital or partnership status, status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual violence or stalking, predisposing genetic characteristics, arrest or conviction record, credit history, unemployment status or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. Children's Aid is committed to complying with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

Children's Aid will conduct a prompt and thorough investigation of all allegations of discrimination, harassment, retaliation, or any violation of the Equal Employment Opportunity Policy in a confidential manner and will take appropriate corrective action, if and where warranted. Children's Aid prohibits retaliation against employees who provide information about, complain about, or assist in the investigation of any complaint of discrimination or violation of the Equal Employment Opportunity Policy.

The incumbent is expected to work a schedule, whether in-person or hybrid, as determined by the department's needs to facilitate effective collaboration with the team. This flexibility is essential for maintaining seamless communication, fostering teamwork, and ensuring the smooth operation of the department's processes. The position's requirements are subject to periodic review and adjustment based on organizational needs and changes in work dynamics.