Special Events Manager

Responsibilities

• Lead the creation & management of operational systems & project plans for all Supporter Engagement events (Including: fundraising events, donor stewardship & cultivation events, and select signature school events).
• Manage logistics for events, including vendor coordination, budgeting, registration, guest communication, and run-of-show.
• Partner with the Communications Team to manage event branding, invitations, digital and printed materials, and event decor.
• Support the execution of programmatic and cultivation events such as graduations, volunteer activations, and community partnerships.
• Contribute to fundraising strategies, day-of execution, and stewardship of donors, in-kind sponsors, and auction participants.
• Partner with Major Gifts teams on pre- and post-event donor engagement, including acknowledgment letters, thank-yous, and stewardship reports.
• Manage in-kind donations and auction solicitation strategies tailored to each event audience.
• Support sponsorship fulfillment, gift bags, and auction item coordination.
• Contribute to donor experience strategy, helping design memorable, mission-aligned event touchpoints.
• Serve as a Salesforce “super user” to maintain records, track performance, and generate reports.
• Work with the Director of Advancement Operations to set event budget forecasts, manage event budgets, oversee all financial reporting and data analysis, and ensure accurate tracking of event revenue.
• Contribute to building and maintaining dashboards, event calendars, and workback timelines.
• Support with tracking event key performance areas, identifying items to work on for future events, and collaborating to create sound event strategies for DREAM.
• Oversee the fundraising operations management for the event pipeline with an eye towards integration with the major gifts program development
• Drive strategy for innovating procedures and ensuring proper management of the event revenue & tracking key event data in Salesforce
• Drive the gift management procedures, acknowledgment procedures, and database maintenance for all special event activities
• Lead internal planning meetings across Events, Communications, and Major Gifts teams.
• Oversee day-of event logistics, team assignments, and troubleshooting.
• Ensure smooth cross-functional coordination for volunteers, vendors, and staff roles at events.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• 3–6 years of experience planning fundraising or cultivation events in a nonprofit or mission-driven setting.
• Demonstrated success managing or supporting events that drive revenue and build donor loyalty. A keen sense of guest experience and engagement from initial outreach through post-event activities.
• Proven success executing revenue-driving events and building donor engagement.
• Strong project management and problem-solving skills with attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in dynamic environments.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and cross-department collaboration experience.
• Proficiency in Salesforce, Google/Microsoft Suites, and tools like Asana, Cvent, Canva.
• Creative thinker with an eye for event design and guest experience.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Enthusiasm for growing in the field of Special Events and contributing to a mission-driven team.
• A strong belief in the mission and values of DREAM, including the belief that all students can succeed, and a deep desire to make a difference in the lives of our students, families, and community.

Working Expectations

• The Special Events Manager is part of the Advancement Team, which currently works 3 days in the office and up to 2 days remote, per week (subject to change, and with some weeks requiring more time in-person, for example for donor events).
• Some evening and/or weekend work, for example to prepare for and attend donor events, is required.

Benefits and Paid Time Off

• We offer comprehensive benefits including:
• Flexible Medical Health Plans,  subsidizing the majority of costs for the employee, their spouse/domestic partner and children;
• The ability to select between a variety of medical plans according to what best suits the employee’s needs;
• Dental and vision plans;
• Disability benefits;
• Life insurance;
• Up to 12 weeks fully paid of Parental Leave; 
• Flexible spending account options;
• Pre-tax commuter benefits (parking and transit);
• Fitness and entertainment discounts;
• A variety of support through our employee assistance program (EAP);
• A 403(b) retirement plan with employer matching up to 4% after one year of employment;
• Access to a professional development fund;
• Referral bonuses;
• All full-time Network Support employees are eligible for approximately 48 days off throughout the year including holidays, sick days, personal days and summer Fridays;
• Benefits are subject to change.

Compensation

• DREAM offers a competitive salary commensurate with relevant experience with the potential for an annual performance-based increase. The incoming salary range for this position is $70,000 to $80,000 per year. New hires are typically brought into the organization at a salary closer to the start of the range depending on qualifications, internal equity, and the budgeted amount for the role. All staff are eligible for annual performance-based increases. Because we value staff tenure in each role, we do not currently cap salary ranges.