Development & Special Events Manager
About The Position
The Development & Special Events Manager will support the Chief Development Officer in executing the annual development plan and fundraising strategy. This role involves managing donor cultivation, stewardship, and recognition activities, as well as a portfolio of annual givers. The position also plays a key role in assisting with annual giving campaigns, grant tracking, recognition, and sponsorship outreach. A significant part of the role includes managing the planning and execution of fundraising events, such as the Children’s Scholarship Ball and the Annual Golf Tournament, donor cultivation events, and donor stewardship events. This includes managing event timelines, budgets, vendor relationships, sponsorship fulfillment, and logistics. The manager will also coordinate invitations, RSVP tracking, auction support, seating arrangements, and event-day operations, working closely with marketing and communications teams on promotion and collateral. Additionally, the role involves overseeing volunteer committees and stakeholder engagement, and evaluating event outcomes. Administrative duties include preparing presentations, reports, and board committee support documents, as well as assisting with grant support and campaign planning. The position requires maintaining confidentiality, professionalism, and strong donor-centered communication.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree required
- 2-4 years of professional experience in nonprofit development, fundraising, and/or special events management
- Proven experience planning and executing successful fundraising events
- Strong knowledge of donor stewardship and fundraising best practices
- Outstanding interpersonal and customer service skills
- Excellent written communication skills
- Experience working with donor databases/CRM systems (Salesforce or similar preferred)
- Exceptional project management and organizational skills with strong attention to detail
- Ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and work independently in a fast-paced environment
- Collaborative, proactive, and solutions-oriented mindset
- Able to work well as part of a team
- Strong discretion and professionalism in handling confidential donor information
- Passion for community engagement and alignment with the mission of the JCC
- Flexible and able to work occasional evenings and weekends for events as required
Nice To Haves
- Degree in nonprofit management, communications, business, or related field preferred
- Salesforce or similar CRM experience preferred
Responsibilities
- Manage donor cultivation, stewardship, and recognition activities
- Manage a portfolio of annual givers under $3,500
- Assist with annual giving campaigns, grant tracking, recognition and sponsorship outreach
- Help maintain accurate donor records, gift tracking, and reporting within the donor database
- Conduct donor research and prospect identification to support major gift and campaign efforts
- Collaborate with internal departments to align fundraising efforts with organizational priorities
- Lead planning and execution of fundraising events, including but not limited to the Children’s Scholarship Ball and the Annual Golf Tournament, donor cultivation events, and donor stewardship events
- Manage event timelines, budgets, vendor relationships, sponsorship fulfillment, and logistics
- Coordinate invitations, RSVP tracking, auction support (if applicable), seating arrangements, and event-day operations
- Work closely with marketing and communications teams on event promotion and collateral materials
- Oversee volunteer committees and event-related stakeholder engagement
- Evaluate event outcomes and provide post-event reporting and recommendations
- Prepare presentations, reports, briefing materials, and board committee support documents
- Assist with grant support, campaign planning, and strategic fundraising initiatives as needed
- Ensure confidentiality, professionalism, and strong donor-centered communication always
- Attend all required staff meetings and agency trainings
- Model the JCC’s mission, values, and commitment to community
Benefits
- Competitive pay
- Health insurance
- Dental insurance
- Vision insurance
- Paid time off
- Paid holidays
- 403(b) retirement plan with employer matching
- Ongoing opportunities for training and professional development
- Free membership
- Significant discounts on programs
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
