Special Events Manager at the Central Park Conservancy

JOB DESCRIPTION

Reports to:   Senior Director of Special Events

Department: Special Events
Status: Full-Time, Exempt

About Central Park and the Central Park Conservancy:

Central Park is one of the most famous and beloved urban public spaces in the world. Designed by Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux in 1857, the 843-acre park was the first purpose-built public park in the country and is a National Historic Landmark. The Central Park Conservancy, a private not-for-profit organization, was founded in 1980 to rescue the Park which had fallen into serious disrepair. Since that time, the Conservancy has overseen the investment of approximately $1 billion in the restoration of the Park, and now hosts over 40 million visitors a year.

The Conservancy’s mission is to preserve and celebrate Central Park as a sanctuary from the pace and pressures of city life, enhancing the enjoyment and wellbeing of all. The City of New York has formally entrusted the care of the Park to the Conservancy which is responsible for every aspect of the Park’s care, including landscape maintenance, capital improvements, and the visitor experience. Committed to sharing the best practices in urban park management, the Conservancy also serves as a resource for other NYC parks and for public-private partnerships around the world. The Conservancy employs roughly 325 people and has an operating budget of $80 million.

Job Summary:

The Special Events Manager will play a key role on the Special Events Department team and will be involved in all aspects of fundraising, planning, developing, executing, and evaluating Central Park Conservancy’s donor and benefit events, community engagement events, and staff events. Annual events include (but are not limited to): Evening in the Garden, Conservatory Garden Party, Annual Skating Party, stewardship events, Marathon Breakfast, and Blooms and Foliage Tours. The Manager will also support the department’s two major fundraising events: Winter Benefit and Taste of Summer.  In addition, the Manager will also oversee all aspects of Team Central Park (CPC’s annual Marathon team)

Summary of Essential Job Functions:

Event Management

  • Plan and execute Development events including tours, picnics, cocktail receptions, select offsite events, breakfasts and benefit events for General Members, Conservators, and Greensward Circle as assigned by area Senior Director, and VP of Development. Tasks include site logistics, budget management, print and electronic invitation coordination, mailings, contract negotiation, vendor relations and onsite supervision.
  • Manage fundraising responsibilities such as research, cultivation and stewardship of prospective donors, donor management and follow-up, gift processing and solicitation.
  • Perform database work in Raiser’s Edge such as, event registration and guest list management, build queries and exports, track in-kind gifts and acquisitions, financial reports, data imports and donor updates.
  • Work with the Special Events team to streamline all aspects of events including vendor selection (securing discounts and multi-year contracts) as well as internal procedures.
  • Create and send post-event thank you emails to attendees.
  • Ensure donors are provided with excellent customer service through all phases of event planning and execution.
  • Input, track and pay event expenses through purchase order system.
  • Update and circulate RSVP lists regularly to development staff.
  • Collect RSVPs for respective events
  • Coordinate event mailings and emails: write letters, manage and gather mailing lists, facilitate mailings, respond to inquiries as needed.
  • Support post-event activities: creating and mailing tax acknowledgment letters, organize re-cap meetings, create event synopsis and wrap up materials.
  • Process event payments and maintain registration records.
  • Solicit and procure Event Sponsors and in-kind gifts such as: gift bag items, food and beverage, silent auction, and other donated products.
  • Coordinate with web team to develop event webpages
  • Recruit for, organize and manage groups of staff volunteers on site at events.
  • Produce functional event plans such as: run of show, site layouts, vendor and volunteer schedules and physicals.
  • Support special projects for other departments as needed including logistics, fundraising
  • Work with other departments to streamline organizational standards and platforms including archiving, web forms, and proposal templates.
  • Administrative duties such as: ordering office supplies, scheduling meetings with event chairmen and committees as needed and maintaining the company-wide events calendar.
  • Answer phone and e-mail inquiries related to programs.

Team Central Park

  • Manage Team Central Park, including developing strategies for outreach, runner acquisition and fundraising.
  • Liaise with Team members on all necessary logistics, assure that financial commitments are received and processed in a timely manner.

Qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience
  • 3-5 years’ experience in fundraising and/or special events
  • Proficiency in Raiser’s Edge
  • Ability to work independently and as a team
  • Superior organizational skills and ability to prioritize and multi-task
  • Strong written and communication skills required
  • Strong interpersonal and relationship building skills
  • Exceptional maturity, tact, diplomacy, and an outgoing personality in order to engage with donors
  • A self-starter; one who takes initiative
  • Ability to move or transport small boxes and supplies, weighing up to 30 pounds, within the office and Park for event needs
  • Must be able to work some late nights and weekends
  • Valid US driver’s license is required and must be comfortable driving in NYC
  • Ability to work outside in all weather conditions
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office

Salary range:  $70K to $75K annually commensurate with experience.

How to Apply

Candidates can apply here using the job portal.