Associate Director, Special Events & Community Engagement
About The Position
Easterseals PORT Health is seeking a strategic, creative, and relationship-driven leader to serve as our Associate Director, Special Events & Community Engagement . This is a high-impact leadership role for someone who thrives on creating unforgettable fundraising experiences, building strong corporate and community partnerships, and translating big ideas into measurable results. In this role, you will lead our signature fundraising events, revenue-generating initiatives, and volunteer engagement efforts while working closely with the Chief Development Officer to grow support for our mission across North Carolina and Virginia. Voted Raleigh’s Best Nonprofit Organization and Raleigh’s Best Mental Health Services two years in a row! Your Role in Our Mission As the Associate Director, you will shape the experiences that connect donors, volunteers, and corporate partners to Easterseals PORT Health. You’ll oversee the full lifecycle of events and engagement initiatives—from concept and strategy to execution and post-event follow-up—ensuring every effort strengthens relationships and advances fundraising goals. You will supervise the Events & Volunteer Coordinator, collaborate with Development, Marketing, and Program teams, and serve as a visible ambassador for ESPH at events, community activities, and corporate engagements.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in Event Management, Nonprofit Management, Communications, Marketing, or related field (or equivalent experience)
- 5–7 years of experience in event leadership, fundraising, or nonprofit development
- Proven success managing large-scale fundraising events with 400+ attendees
- Strong project management, organizational, and leadership skills
- Excellent written and verbal communication abilities
- Ability to collaborate effectively with diverse stakeholders
- Proficiency with event management platforms, donor databases, Canva, and Microsoft Office
- Willingness to work evenings and weekends as needed to support events and deadlines
Responsibilities
- Lead the strategy and execution of signature fundraising events and revenue-generating initiatives, including galas, walks/runs, golf tournaments, auctions, donor recognition events, and third-party fundraisers.
- Partner with the Chief Development Officer to secure sponsorships, in-kind support, and vendor partnerships that drive fundraising success.
- Oversee event logistics, budgets, timelines, registration, and on-site execution to ensure high-quality, mission-aligned experiences.
- Cultivate corporate, community, and volunteer relationships to expand engagement and funding streams.
- Supervise and support the Events & Volunteer Coordinator and guide volunteer committees and event volunteers.
- Collaborate with Marketing and program teams to promote events, develop branded materials, and steward donors and volunteers.
- Analyze event outcomes and recommend improvements to strengthen future fundraising and engagement efforts.
Benefits
- Generous paid time off and paid holidays
- Full benefits package including Medical, Dental, and Vision benefits
- Life and Disability Insurance (company paid)
- 403(b) Retirement Plan
- Employee Assistance Program and legal services support
- Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) qualifying employer
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Director
