Director of Events

First Liberty Institute•Plano, TX

About The Position

First Liberty Institute is the largest legal organization in the nation dedicated exclusively to protecting religious freedom for all Americans. We believe that true religious liberty means recognizing the fundamental right of every individual—including all ages, races, genders, and faiths—to follow their conscience and to live according to their beliefs. Founded in 1997 and based in Plano, Texas, our legal team partners with elite volunteer attorneys across the country to secure religious freedom, from local matters to the Supreme Court, at no cost to our clients. For more information, please visit www.FirstLiberty.org. Position Summary: First Liberty Institute’s Director of Events provides strategic leadership, planning, and execution for an event portfolio of approximately 15-20 events annually. This role ensures exceptional experiences that support donor engagement, mission awareness, and fundraising initiatives. The Director of Events leads the event team, manages budgets, oversees vendor relationships, and ensures all events are delivered on time, within budget, and aligned with goals and brand standards. This is an opportunity for an experienced event leader to shape one of the most influential nonprofit event portfolios. You'll lead high-profile donor experiences, oversee our premier fundraising events, and help advance a mission with national impact. The start date for this position is October 2026.

Requirements

Must agree with and sign First Liberty’s Articles of Faith
Bachelor’s degree in Event Management, Hospitality, Business Administration or related field
Minimum of 7 years of progressively responsible event management experience
Minimum of 3 years of leadership experience managing teams and budgets
Demonstrated success planning and executing large-scale events with attendance up to 1200 participants
Strong project management and organizational skills
Experience managing multiple concurrent events and competing priorities
Excellent communication, leadership, and interpersonal skills
Proficiency with event management software, registration platforms, and Microsoft Office Suite
Ability to travel as required for event planning and management

Nice To Haves

Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) or similar industry certification, preferred
Experience in nonprofit, association, conference or corporate event management, preferred

Responsibilities

Develop and implement a comprehensive annual event strategy aligned with organizational priorities
Create and manage an annual calendar of 15-20 events, ensuring appropriate allocation of resources and staffing
Identify opportunities to enhance supporter experience, operational efficiency, and event effectiveness
Establish event goals, timelines, project plans, and performance metrics
Collaborate with Development, Marketing and Executive Leadership to ensure event objectives are met
Provide strategic and creative input for event assets including websites, digital communications, programs, signage, staging and mobile applications
Oversee all aspects of event planning, program, and donor experience for all events including our flagship gala and Christmas party (unless another delegate is established)
Ensure seamless event logistics from concept through post-event evaluation
Manage venue selection, catering, audiovisual production, registration systems, transportation, security, and event staffing
Develop contingency plans and oversee risk management for all events
Ensure compliance with First Liberty’s organizational policies
Develop and manage annual event budgets and individual event budgets
Monitor expenses and ensure events remain within approved budgets
Negotiate contracts and pricing with venues, vendors, suppliers, and service providers
Identify cost-saving opportunities while maintaining event quality and attendee experience
Provide regular budget forecasts and financial reports
Lead, coach, and supervise event managers, coordinators, and support staff
Establish clear goals, expectations, and performance standards
Foster a collaborative, service-oriented culture focused on excellence and innovation
Oversee staffing plans and contractor management
Support professional development and succession planning with the events team
Develop and maintain relationships with venues, vendors, consultants, and event partners
Manage vendor selection, contract negotiation, and performance evaluation
Ensure high-quality service delivery and adherence to contractual obligations
Build a network of preferred vendors and strategic event partners
Other duties as assigned