Senior Director of Events

Medical University of South Carolina•Charleston, SC

56d

About The Position

Senior Director of Events The Senior Director of Events serves as a strategic and operational leader responsible for shaping, executing, evaluating, and growing the institution’s event portfolio with a focus on fundraising and donor engagement. This role combines high-level vision with hands-on execution to ensure every event—from concept to completion—advances philanthropic priorities, strengthens donor relationships, and delivers measurable ROI. The Senior Director partners with advancement leadership, development officers, and cross-functional teams to ensure all events are donor-centered, mission-aligned, and executed with excellence.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred.
10+ years of progressive experience in event management, with at least 5 years in a senior leadership role.
Proven success in strategy development, full-cycle event execution, evaluation, and fundraising growth.
Strong understanding of donor engagement, philanthropy, and advancement best practices.
Exceptional leadership, organizational, and communication skills.
Demonstrated ability to manage budgets, prioritize competing demands, and deliver high-impact results.

Nice To Haves

Experience working within higher education, healthcare, or nonprofit organizations preferred.

Responsibilities

Event Strategy & Growth (25%) Develop and implement a long-term event strategy that aligns with institutional fundraising and engagement goals.
Identify opportunities to expand signature fundraising and donor recognition events while reimagining or discontinuing lower-performing activities.
Drive innovation in event design, integrating emerging trends in donor experiences, digital engagement, and stewardship.
Serve as lead strategist for campaign events, principal gift experiences, and high-profile fundraising activities.
Event Evaluation & ROI (25%) Create and manage a comprehensive evaluation framework for all fundraising and donor engagement events.
Establish clear metrics and benchmarks to measure success, including fundraising totals, donor acquisition, donor pipeline development, and stewardship impact.
Implement post-event reporting processes that capture both qualitative and quantitative data, with actionable recommendations for improvement.
Partner with advancement services and donor relations teams to ensure robust data collection, tracking, and analysis.
Event Execution (25%) Personally lead and execute all aspects of major fundraising and donor engagement events from conception through post-event analysis, including planning, logistics, vendor management, and on-site coordination.
Oversee—but also actively participate in—event production, ensuring excellence in every detail of the guest experience.
Manage event timelines, budgets, design, communications, and run-of-show documentation to ensure flawless execution.
Serve as the senior point of contact and decision-maker during live events, resolving challenges in real time and ensuring donor satisfaction.
Collaborate with partners across Advancement Services, Facilities, and Marketing & Communications to ensure all events reflect institutional brand standards and philanthropic messaging.
Leadership & Management (15%) Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing events team, setting clear goals and expectations.
Manage a portfolio of senior-level event staff, including directors and managers, across donors, alumni, and campaign events.
Foster collaboration across Institutional Advancement, Marketing & Communications, and Development teams to maximize event visibility and donor impact.
Oversee event budgets, ensuring efficient use of resources and alignment with ROI goals.
Donor Engagement & Collaboration (10%) Collaborate with frontline fundraisers to design bespoke donor experiences that advance cultivation and stewardship strategies.
Partner with senior leadership and board members to deliver events that highlight institutional vision and philanthropic priorities.
Serve as a senior liaison to volunteer committees and advisory boards engaged in events strategy and planning.