Donor Events Manager at the Museum of History and Inventory

Description

The Donor Events Manager is responsible for planning, managing, and executing all fundraising, stewardship, and membership events, and for meeting the annual contributed income goals for special events. This position includes major donor cultivation and stewardship, extensive analytics, and vendor relations and negotiation. The Donor Events Manager is creative, resourceful, and enthusiastic about identifying personalized and meaningful ways to inspire our community to be part of the great work we do. The Donor Events Manager reports to the Development Director and is a member of the Advancement team.

 

Key Responsibilities:

·         Provide sophisticated and detailed event planning, project management, and choreography (run-of-show, script development) for MOHAI fundraising/stewardship events including, but not limited to, History Makers gala and auction, Innovation Exchange, Heritage Circle reception, capital campaign/major donor events, members’ exhibit openings, and annual member night.

·         Ensure that all interactions are culturally responsive, respectful, and based on a foundation of MOHAI’s commitment to inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility.

·         Develop and monitor an annual donor events strategy, with individual and corporate income as part of the overall development plan. Establish quarterly revenue projections.

·         Develop event objectives and recommend production and experiential elements that advance the event goals and secure/retain donor and member interest and participation. Secure guest speakers as needed.

·         Engage trustees in active involvement with individual solicitation, stewardship, and planning events. Provide leadership and oversight of special event committees, primarily History Makers and Innovation Exchange.

·         Create and monitor budgets and prepare comprehensive analysis of events, including goals vs actuals (income and expense), year to year comparisons, live and silent auction performance, raise the paddle, etc.

·         Negotiate contracts, discounts, and in-kind contributions with vendors including caterers, wineries, rental companies, videographers, lighting/AV, musicians, etc. Oversee procurement and tracking of auction items.

·         Work cooperatively with the Capital Campaign Director and Membership & Annual Giving Manager to plan and execute donor and member events.

·         Work with MOHAI staff and/or external event management teams on large-scale events and/or to recruit and manage volunteers for all events. 

·         Work with MOHAI leadership to develop and execute event vision and story. Work with the Marketing & Communications team to develop materials, PowerPoints, videos, branding, advertising, and digital strategy.

·         Work cooperatively with the Events Services Department regarding facility scheduling and logistics.

·         Collaborate with Advancement team members to develop and maintain cohesive post-event stewardship plans for individual, foundation, and corporate prospects and donors.

·         Complete post-event tasks including evaluation of all event elements, recommendations for improvement, donor communications and acknowledgement, and reconciliation of budget and vendor payments.  Work with Controller and Membership team to ensure accurate financial coding and gift acknowledgment.

·         Opportunity to serve on IDEA (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility) Committees.

·         Attendance at museum-sponsored events may be required.

·         Other duties as assigned.

 

Qualifications:

·         3+ years of experience in planning and executing complex nonprofit fundraising events.

·         Bachelor’s degree or any equivalent combination of experience and/or education from which comparable knowledge, skills, and abilities have been achieved. Fundraising certification a plus.

·         Solid knowledge of peer-to-peer fundraising best practices and the role of special events in a comprehensive development program. High degree of creativity and up-to-date knowledge of event trends.

·         Demonstrated success in meeting established fundraising goals.

·         Comfortable juggling multiple tasks/deadlines simultaneously while maintaining a flexible approach in high-pressure situations. Skilled at trouble-shooting and problem-solving, shifting workflow/timeline when needed.

·         Outstanding organizational skills and good judgment. Demonstrated ability to assess progress, address problems, and develop creative solutions.

·         Experience in effectively managing budgets. Strong analytical skills, accuracy, and attention to detail.

·         Must maintain strict confidentiality of sensitive information and exercise discretion and diplomacy.

·         Maintain clear and proactive communication with all involved parties to align resource requirements, staffing, and volunteer expectations and logistical details. Able to provide nimble negotiating skills.

·         Able to lead meetings, present reports, and support committee engagement.

·         Serve as on-site point of contact. Support and train staff and volunteers as needed.  

·         Self-motivated. Takes initiative. Able to work both independently and collaboratively in a team environment.

·         Proficiency with events software like Greater Giving and CRM applications such as Altru or Raiser’s Edge plus MS Office software, Zoom, and project management software such as Wrike.

·         Willingness and ability to travel between museum locations and work nights/weekends as required.

·         Bilingual and multilingual skills valued.

·         Enthusiasm for MOHAI’s exhibits, programs, and mission.

 

Find yourself checking many of these boxes but doubting whether you should apply? If you meet some of the requirements and you share MOHAI’s values and support our mission, we encourage you to apply. As part of our ongoing commitment to a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace, we’re invested in building teams with a wide variety of backgrounds, identities, and experiences.

 

Museum Overview:

For 70 years, MOHAI has been dedicated to enriching lives by preserving, sharing, and teaching the diverse history of Seattle, the Puget Sound region, and the nation. With a collection of nearly 4 million artifacts, photographs, oral histories and archival items, and an expansive schedule of exhibits and programs, MOHAI is the region’s premier history center. MOHAI operates a dramatic and award-winning museum in Seattle’s vibrant South Lake Union neighborhood and a resource center in Seattle’s Georgetown neighborhood. MOHAI also hosts the Bezos Center for Innovation, focusing on the history and future of innovation in the Puget Sound region. MOHAI is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, is an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution, and has been selected by USA Today as one of the Top Ten History Museums in the nation. For more information, please visit mohai.org.

 

To Apply:

Please e-mail letter of interest, resume, and three references to Human.Resources@mohai.org.

No phone calls, please.

This job was sourced via AAM