Donor Experience Specialist

NYU Langone Health • New York, NY

10d • $70,482 - $97,200

About The Position

NYU Langone Health is seeking a Donor Experience Specialist for its Donor Experience team. Reporting to the Director of Donor Experience, this role plans and implements fundraising, cultivation events, and donor experiences from concept through completion. The Specialist collaborates with Gift Officers, department directors, faculty, committees, board members, and other internal partners, and autonomously manages institution-wide and event-specific planning, projects, and support personnel.

The Specialist leads operational and strategic event planning for in-person and virtual experiences, including budgets, venues and platforms, contracts, sponsors and committees, catering, production, staffing, donor communications, program logistics, and follow-up. The role also evaluates event return on investment, improves policies and procedures, supports donor cultivation and stewardship, manages vendors and volunteers, and trains and mentors colleagues. Event direction must align with NYU Langone Health’s public relations, media, marketing, stewardship, and brand standards. Seasonal evening and occasional weekend work is required.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• 4–6+ years of intensive experience in event planning and/or experiential marketing.
• Strong familiarity with food and beverage and social protocols, and ability to learn and manage technologies and platforms used for events.
• Experience working directly with C-suite executives, donor types, and/or clients; high emotional intelligence and a polished, diplomatic approach adaptable to different audiences.
• Excellent written and spoken communication skills and strong critical-thinking ability, including guiding audience-centered program decisions and collaborating with communications teams.
• Good judgment; productivity, organization, self-motivation, results orientation, responsibility, and ability to work in a team environment.
• Ability to manage multiple projects in a busy, changing environment, maintain composure under stress, meet deadlines, and shift priorities as needed.
• Strong project management and collaboration skills, with the ability to make progress independently and as part of a team.
• Excellent computer skills, especially Microsoft 365, Excel, Outlook, Zoom, WebEx, database applications, software management, and internet; willingness and ability to learn new technology and train others.
• Knowledge of HIPAA rules.
• Ability to work seasonal evenings and occasional weekends.
• Ability to work strategically, collaboratively, respectfully, and professionally with colleagues across divisions and teams.
• Clear communication, sharing, listening, and recognition of others’ contributions.
• Presence, inclusivity, and communication skills to represent NYU Langone Health and liaise with donors.
• Ability to build relationships through authenticity, professionalism, and trust; listen and tailor messages to different audiences.
• Takes ownership of opportunities, challenges, and decisions to advance work and the organization.
• Supports institutional values and competencies and contributes to an inclusive environment that welcomes and supports differences.

Nice To Haves

• Fundraising experience preferred.
• Event planning and/or experiential marketing experience in the nonprofit sector preferred.

Responsibilities

• Manage planning and execution of events and virtual experiences, including budgets, venue or platform selection, contract negotiations, committee and sponsor solicitation, catering, décor, entertainment, staffing, audiovisual needs, gifts and awards, seating, donor lists, program logistics, speaker preparation, auctions when applicable, and other operational tasks.
• Serve as on-site or virtual producer and stage manager, direct staff, manage vendors, and ensure a seamless, professional guest experience.
• Work with event committees, chairpersons, trustees, board members, departmental leadership, administrators, and senior development staff to shape event structure, strategy, and execution in support of institutional and development goals.
• Collaborate with Development Communications on programs, speeches, solicitation letters, invitations, and other print and electronic materials.
• Work with Gift Officers to cultivate donors and secure gifts, coordinating outreach and briefing information.
• Create timelines, task lists, and information channels; update team manuals to support timely project completion.
• Evaluate return on investment for experiences and prepare post-experience analysis reports, identifying measures and metrics for cultivation and stewardship across the giving cycle.
• Oversee post-event follow-up, including money collection, billing, gift acknowledgments, and timely reconciliation.
• Develop vendor relationships; research vendors, venues, and virtual platforms; and maintain a reference file for colleagues.
• Assess the effectiveness and return on investment of operational policies and procedures; develop, improve, and implement procedures supporting the Donor Experience Division.
• Educate development staff on event and experience processes, procedures, and best practices.
• Ensure event and experience direction complies with Health System public relations, media, marketing, and stewardship practices and appropriately represents the organization’s mission and brand.
• Train and mentor team members, allocate resources, and delegate responsibilities.
• Recruit and manage event volunteers as needed.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefits and wellness package
• Financial security benefits
• Generous time-off program
• Employee resource groups for peer support
• Employee wellness program covering physical, mental, nutritional, sleep, social, financial, and preventive care

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level