Special Events Fundraising Manager

Job Description

Job Description

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Los Angeles (BBBSLA) seeks a talented, high energy leader to serve as the Agency's Special Events Fundraising Manager.

Reporting to the Senior Director of Development, the Special Events Fundraising Manager will lead successful fundraising and donor-relations events throughout the Greater Los Angeles area.

In collaboration with staff, Board members and volunteer leaders, this role will plan and implement a rolling online auction, two to three signature events and multiple smaller-scale events per year by building strong working relationships with internal and external partners, volunteers, and vendors.

A successful candidate will strive to elevate the event experience for current and potential donors (individuals, corporations, foundations) by identifying additional fundraising opportunities, cost saving measures, and mission-engagement.

In addition, this role works directly with high-level volunteer fundraisers to develop and execute plans to support the organization through peer-to-peer fundraising and sponsorship sales efforts.

Job Description may be subject to change to meet the needs of the organization.

This is a full-time, benefits eligible, hybrid work position with a mix of virtual and in-office work. The position also requires travel for face-to-face meetings with event honorees, volunteers, and vendors, as needed.

ESSENTIAL JOB ACTIVITIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES :

The activities and responsibilities described are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the core functions of this job.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Achieve Revenue Goals for Signature Events, 3rd Party Events, Peer-to-Peer Fundraising Campaigns, and Online Auction Campaigns

• Manage and oversee all logistical and fundraising aspects of BBBSLA's signature fundraising events, smaller 3rd party events, peer-to-peer fundraising initiatives, and special campaigns to ensure that high production value and budgeted revenue and expense goals are met.
• Work with fundraising event honorees and peer-to-peer fundraising participants to maximize their impact on the mission of BBBSLA.
• Motivate and empower volunteer fundraisers to set appropriate impact goals, and partner with volunteer fundraisers to achieve or exceed their goals through strategic fundraising planning and follow-up.
• In collaboration with the Senior Director of Development and the Development team, manage the financial growth of fundraising events through realistic goal-setting and strategic planning.
• Work with board members and other supporters to ideate and solicit high-value auction items for Charity Buzz rolling online auction as well as smaller local event auctions.
• Create new fundraising revenue growth opportunities, and strengthen current ones.

Collaborate with Staff, Board, and Volunteer Leaders & Build Relationships with Partners

• In partnership with the Senior Director of Development, manage Gala Host Committee & Golf Classic Committee. Duties include but are not limited to recruiting new members, recognizing current members, hosting video conference meetings, providing agendas and specific follow-up, and driving their efforts in order to elevate the success of BBBSLA's signature events.
• Keep appropriate Board members, volunteer leaders and staff up to date on progress and support needs.
• Work closely with donor relationship managers and Development staff to identify potential event sponsors or increased partnership opportunities via special events, and to ensure donor relations best practices are implemented - including acknowledgement, recognition and maintenance of donor tracking systems.
• Develop and manage collaborative relationships with 3rd party event-logistics firms to ensure that timelines, budgets, floorplans, script, run-of show, etc.

are implemented properly. Note : not all events will be led by a logistics firm, in which case the Special Events Fundraising Manager will develop and manage event timelines, budgets, floorplans, scripts, run-of-show, etc.

• Develop and manage collaborative relationships with venues and vendors resulting in the ability to negotiate and ideate cost-saving and / or value-adding measures.
• Serve as the volunteer coordinator for all fundraising and stewardship events, from recruitment to training to on-site experience.

Elevate the Event Experience

• Research current fundraising and other event-trends to ensure BBBSLA is providing top tier events for attendees in the Los Angeles area.
• Work closely with Development & Marketing, and outside design vendors, to develop event-related materials including signage, presentations, invitations and programs, among others.
• Conceptualize and implement mission-engagement opportunities and "memorable moments" within multiple facets of the event experience.
• Determine opportunities to steward and cultivate current and potential donors.

Develop and Execute Fundraising and Sponsorship Sales Plans with High-Level Volunteers

• With the assistance of the Senior Director of Development, provide support, education, and tools for cultivation to high-level fundraising event honorees.
• Coordinate and execute Board and donor participation in events through sponsorships, in-kind donations, auction donations, and event participation.
• Develop Sponsorship Pricing and Activation Opportunities for all events.

Miscellaneous

• Utilize event websites (Classy) and maintain donor databases (Salesforce), keeping all records current.
• Assist with bi-monthly system audits for event donations in conjunction with the Donor Relations Manager.
• Coordinate logistics for event communications and donor outreach / cultivation through electronic and printed mailings to send in a timely manner.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE :

The Special Events Fundraising Manager should have the following experience and qualifications :

• Bachelor's degree is required.
• 5+ years of work experience in Fund Development or Event Planning roles at non-profit organizations. Transferable skills in Event Planning or other fields will be considered when coupled with significant nonprofit fundraising experience or education.
• Good interpersonal, written, verbal communication skills, as well as presentation skills.
• Strong listening and retention skills.
• High level of organization and exceptional time management skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and problem solve with a solution-based mindset.
• Aptitude to innovate and remain creative.
• Maintenance of a positive, energetic, and professional demeanor with BBBSLA staff, Board members, donors, volunteers, and families.
• Ability to track and analyze success metrics.
• Knowledge of nonprofit best practices and trends.
• Demonstrated advanced computer literacy with MS Office programs and CRM platforms.
• Proactive and ambitious nature.
• Willing to travel locally and nationally, as needed.
• Valid driver's license and ability to travel for events and meetings.
• Emotionally mature with a sense of humor.

COMPETENCIES :

• Customer / Client Focus -Is dedicated to meeting the expectations and requirements of fellow staff, volunteers, children, parents and agency partners;
• talks and acts with them in mind; establishes and maintains effective relationship with customers / clients and gains their trust and respect;
• views the role as adding value to the experience of volunteers and children in their match relationship; builds parental support for the match;

deals effectively with diversity; demonstrates high degree of flexibility and adaptability.

Listening -Practices attentive and active listening; has the patience to hear people out, can accurately restate the opinions of others even when he / she / they disagree;

understands child safety issues and is vigilant in recognizing signs of problems.

• Interpersonal Savvy -Relates well to all kinds of people; builds appropriate rapport; listens carefully to all points of view;
• builds constructive and effective relationships; uses diplomacy and tact; capable of diffusing difficult situations comfortably;

doesn't show frustration. Ability to mediate and create middle ground understanding.

Approachability -Is easy to approach and talk to; spends the extra efforts to put others at ease; can be warm, pleasant and gracious;

is sensitive to and patient with the needs and interests of others; builds rapport well; is a good listener.

Priority Setting -Spends her / her / their time and the time of others on what' s important; quickly zeros in on the critical few and puts the trivial many aside;

can quickly sense what will help or hinder accomplishing a goal; eliminates roadblocks; creates focus.

Commitment to Task - Willing and able to pursue goals with commitment and takes pride in accomplishment. Willing and able to take action to achieve goals and strives to exceed goals.

Results / Outcome Oriented - Is motivated by results; can be counted on to meet and exceed goals successfully; bottom-line oriented;

pushes self for results; sets clear objectives and measures and monitors process and progress.

Organizing -Marshals resources to get things done; orchestrates multiple activities at once to accomplish a goal; uses resources effectively and efficiently;

identifies informal and incomplete information in time to do something about it.

Commitment to JEDI (Justice, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion) - A deep commitment to fostering a safe, equitable, inclusive environment where diversity is celebrated, and justice is ensured for all.

A commitment to JEDI expands beyond staff and internal operations to our matches, parents / guardians, community partners, constituents, and community in general.

Physical Demands : The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, stand, walk, bend and drive.

Job requires frequent verbal and computer communication. Computer, telephone and fax use are required. Periodically, employee will be asked to lift and / or move 15-30 pounds.

Americans with Disabilities Act : Applicants as well as employees who are or become disabled must be able to perform the essential duties & responsibilities either unaided or with reasonable accommodation.

The organization shall determine reasonable accommodation on a case-by-case basis in accordance with applicable law.

Working Location : Location is based on a percentage of where work time is spent. Indoors - 70%. Travel (local) - 30% : job may require local travel to communities, corporations, institutions and individuals.

Occasional out-of-state travel to applicable approved conferences. Currently, BBBSLA is operating on a hybrid work schedule, with employees selecting 2+ days per week to work in one of our office locations (Koreatown, Lakewood, Northridge), with the opportunity to work remotely up to 3 days per week.

Equal Employment Opportunity : BBBSLA is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all qualified individuals.

All employment decisions are based on business needs, job requirements and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion, national, social or ethnic origin, sex (including pregnancy), age, physical, mental or sensory disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and / or expression, marital, civil union or domestic partnership status, past or present military service, family medical history or genetic information, family or parental status, or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate.

Compensation, Hours, and Benefits : Exempt, full-time position (approximately 40 hours / week) with a starting annual salary in the range of $65,000 - $75,000 DOE.

Typical work schedule includes weekday and some weekend work, depending on activities and engagements. Benefits include 21 days paid PTO, 14 paid holidays, comprehensive health plans covering 100% of the employee cost of medical, dental and vision insurance, as well as STD, LTD, life insurance and an employee assistance program.

Optional pet insurance, critical care, and flexible spending accounts. Eligible for 403(b) retirement plan(s) immediately, with salary matching benefits (up to 4% of salary) after one year of service.