Events Director

Junior Achievement of South Florida•Coconut Creek, FL

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

Junior Achievement of South Florida is seeking a dynamic and results-oriented Events Director to lead the strategy, planning, and execution of its signature events and fundraising initiatives. This role is ideal for a creative, relationship-focused professional who thrives on building partnerships, driving sponsorship revenue, and creating memorable experiences that inspire community engagement and support the organization's mission. The Events Director will oversee all aspects of event development, from concept creation and strategic planning to sponsorship acquisition and event execution. This individual will cultivate and strengthen relationships with corporate partners, sponsors, donors, and community stakeholders while identifying new opportunities for growth and engagement. Key responsibilities include developing sponsorship strategies, prospecting and securing new partnerships, negotiating vendor agreements, managing event budgets, and ensuring the seamless delivery of sponsor benefits and exceptional guest experiences. As a key member of the team, the Events Director will play a vital role in advancing Junior Achievement's mission by creating impactful events that strengthen community connections, generate critical support, and leave a lasting impression on attendees and partners alike.

Requirements

Demonstrated success in organizing and delivering high-impact fundraising events from concept through execution.
Proven track record of building, growing, and stewarding relationships with donors, sponsors, and community partners.
Strong planning and time-management abilities, with the capacity to balance competing priorities and meet critical deadlines.
Experience utilizing project management tools and systems to coordinate workflows, track progress, and manage multiple initiatives simultaneously.
Ability to lead cross-functional teams, volunteers, and committees effectively.
Outstanding communication abilities, including effective written correspondence, public speaking, and presentation delivery.
Adept at developing and sustaining strategic relationships that support organizational goals and community engagement.
Experience partnering with marketing teams to promote events and initiatives.
Strong financial acumen, including budget development, expense monitoring, forecasting, and performance reporting.
Proficiency with donor management systems, event management software, and the Microsoft Office suite of applications.
Willingness to work evenings/weekends and maintain a high level of professionalism.
6+ years of experience leading full-scale event production, with a proven track record in managing complex events; nonprofit experience preferred.
Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience is required.
Experience in customer service best practices.
Prolonged periods of sitting, walking, and occasionally required to reach, bend, lift, or climb.
Must be able to lift up to 25 pounds at times.

Nice To Haves

nonprofit experience preferred

Responsibilities

Supervise 1-2 events team members, ensuring the achievement of established objectives and performance standards.
Provide guidance and subject matter expertise for Junior Achievement events and select third-party events hosted at JA World, including program-related activities such as graduations and student retreats, as needed.
Direct the planning and delivery of all fundraising events, ensuring exceptional execution and alignment with organizational objectives. Current annual events may include Ultimate Night Out, Community Impact Breakfast, JA World Uncorked, JA Business Hall of Fame, Girls Rule, and Rose Soiree, along with various smaller-scale gatherings such as parent conferences, networking receptions, and affinity group events (subject to change).
Coordinate and manage every aspect of event operations, including leadership and affinity group committees, promotional efforts, financial oversight, silent and live auctions, entertainment, venue logistics, staffing, volunteer engagement, décor, insurance requirements, guest management, audiovisual production, and program content such as speaker coordination, script preparation, and event timelines.
Cultivate and maintain strong vendor partnerships by identifying qualified service providers, negotiating favorable agreements, securing contracts, and ensuring exceptional service delivery while remaining within budget parameters.
Continuously assess and enhance the event portfolio, introducing new ideas and improvements to keep programs fresh, impactful, and meaningful for attendees, sponsors, and stakeholders.
Conduct comprehensive post-event reviews, analyzing outcomes, measuring performance against objectives, and providing strategic recommendations to strengthen future events and maximize results.
Drive the financial success of each event by achieving established revenue targets. The Events team is responsible for ticket sales, attendee engagement activities, and auction performance, while sponsorship revenue is generated through a collaborative effort between the Events and Development teams. The Events Director will share accountability for meeting annual sponsorship goals.
Partner with Board Members and volunteer-led event committees to maximize fundraising outcomes, providing guidance, resources, and strategic support to help secure sponsorships, auction donations, and other critical event contributions.
Develop tailored sponsorship opportunities and funding proposals using a consultative, relationship-focused approach, aligning partnership offerings with the goals, interests, and philanthropic priorities of prospective sponsors and funders.
Lead and coordinate cross-functional teams involved in event execution, including senior leadership (CEO), Development, Marketing, and Facilities, to ensure seamless delivery of high-quality events.
Manage and engage event co-chairs and volunteer committees—comprising board members and community leaders—to drive accountability and achieve fundraising and engagement goals.
Cultivate and activate affinity groups, Junior Achievement students, and volunteer communities in pre-event engagement activities to build momentum and strengthen participation.
Partner closely with the Marketing team to drive timely and strategic promotion of events across all phases—pre-event, live, and post-event—to maximize visibility and engagement.
Ensure fulfillment of all partners and sponsor deliverables—including marketing metrics, reporting, and testimonials—by coordinating effectively with internal JA teams and stakeholders.
Maintain accurate and organized financial documentation in compliance with established accounting standards, policies, and procedures.
Oversee budget tracking and expense management, including preparing invoice requests, ensuring accurate expense coding, and maintaining financial records within approved budget parameters.
Maintain up-to-date records of contacts and sponsorship pipelines, ensuring thorough documentation of relationship-building activities, research, outreach efforts, and revenue-generating opportunities.
Partner with colleagues to implement meaningful recognition programs for supporters through awards and event participation opportunities.
Carry out other responsibilities as needed.