Director of Special Events
$90,000–$110,000 year
HybridNew York City, New York, United States or New York, United States
Job Summary
Develop and execute a multi-year strategy to grow the fundraising event portfolio, introducing innovative sponsorship and engagement approaches to increase revenue and donor retention. Personally cultivate sponsors, analyze performance metrics to maximize ROI, and manage annual budgets while identifying opportunities for expansion into Washington, D.C. Recruit and lead event committees to activate networks for ticket sales and donations, serving as a visible ambassador at donor gatherings and committee meetings. Supervise a part-time Contract Event Manager and a Development Assistant, delegating logistics and vendor coordination while ensuring event storytelling aligns with organizational mission. Collaborate with executive leadership, the board, and cross-functional teams to convert event participants into long-term supporters and deepen engagement across the development pipeline.
Required Qualifications
- 7 - 10 years of progressively responsible experience in fundraising events, nonprofit development, sponsorship sales, or related fields
- Demonstrated success managing and growing revenue-generating fundraising events
- Demonstrated success recruiting, motivating, and managing volunteers, committees, and fundraising ambassadors
- Experience partnering with executive leadership and board members to achieve fundraising goals
- Experience managing event budgets and measuring fundraising performance against revenue goals
- Experience with CRM and event management systems (Salesforce preferred) and a strong aptitude for learning and leveraging new technologies to improve fundraising operations
- Commitment to StreetWise Partners' mission of advancing economic mobility and opportunity
- Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills
- Strong project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously
- Strong attention to detail, organizational skills, and follow-through
- Ability to analyze performance metrics and translate data into actionable growth strategies
- Proven experience securing and stewarding corporate sponsors
- Willingness to work occasional evenings and weekends as required by event schedules
Desired Qualifications
- Be energized by the opportunity to inherit strong, successful events and elevate them to the next level
- Bring creativity and fresh thinking while respecting and leveraging existing event strengths and traditions
- Have a proven track record of increasing event revenue, sponsorship support, and attendee engagement
- Think strategically about long-term fundraising growth beyond a single event cycle
- Inspire volunteers and committee members to become passionate ambassadors and fundraisers
- Excel at building relationships with board members, volunteers, corporate sponsors, donors, and senior executives
- Understand how fundraising events fit within an organization's overall development strategy and donor pipeline
- Balance high-level strategic thinking with hands-on execution
- Bring an entrepreneurial mindset, strong initiative, and a continuous improvement orientation
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