Special Events Manager

DREAM seeks a Special Events Manager (posted as the Fundraising Events Manager) to join its Advancement team. Reporting to the Director of Special Events, this role is responsible for supporting the planning, coordination, and execution of DREAM’s fundraising and donor engagement events while serving as the operational project manager for the Advancement department. Working closely with the Director of Special Events, Advancement Operations Manager, Database Manager, Advancement leadership, and cross-functional partners, this role manages event logistics, departmental operations, project management, volunteer engagement, and donor stewardship activities that support DREAM’s fundraising priorities. As an operational lead for Advancement events and departmental initiatives, this role translates strategic event plans into seamless execution, exceptional donor experiences, and effective cross-functional collaboration.

Responsibilities

Partner with Director of Special Events to execute DREAM's annual portfolio of fundraising, cultivation, stewardship, and donor engagement events; Develop and manage detailed event project plans, timelines, and operational checklists; Oversee event logistics including venue coordination, vendor management, production schedules, staffing plans, décor, guest experience, and day-of operations; Partner with Communications team to coordinate event branding, invitations, collateral, programs, signage, and promotional materials; Coordinate sponsorship fulfillment, volunteer engagement, and cross-functional planning with internal stakeholders; Manage relationships with vendors, consultants, and external partners; Support Director of Special Events during fundraising events by overseeing day-of operational execution; Conduct post-event evaluations and recommend operational improvements; Support planning and execution of volunteer, cultivation, and stewardship experiences; Coordinate event logistics and operational support for donor engagement activities; Support stewardship fulfillment, donor recognition, and in-kind donor engagement; Partner with Database Manager to support event revenue tracking, reconciliation, and timely recording of event data; Monitor event-related KPIs and leverage dashboards and reporting; Support gift acknowledgment, stewardship, and post-event data management; Identify opportunities to improve event operations, workflows, and reporting; Coordinate cross-functional projects and operational workstreams for Advancement priorities; Support departmental operational priorities with Advancement Operations Coordinator; Additional duties as assigned

Requirements

Bachelor's degree required; Three or more years of experience in fundraising events, nonprofit operations, advancement operations, project management, or a related field; Demonstrated experience planning and executing fundraising events or complex organizational projects; Excellent project management, organizational, and problem-solving skills; Experience managing multiple projects and competing priorities; Experience managing vendors, budgets, timelines, and event logistics; Strong relationship-building skills; Experience supporting fundraising operations and donor engagement activities; Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills; A proactive, solutions-oriented mindset with a commitment to continuous improvement; A strong belief in the mission and values of DREAM

Nice to have

Familiarity with Salesforce or a comparable CRM

Benefits

Flexible Medical Health Plans, subsidizing the majority of costs for the employee, their spouse/domestic partner and children; Ability to select between a variety of medical plans; Dental and vision plans; Disability benefits; Life insurance; Up to 12 weeks fully paid Parental Leave; Flexible spending account options; Pre-tax commuter benefits; Fitness and entertainment discounts; Support through employee assistance program; 403(b) retirement plan with employer matching up to 4% after one year of employment; Professional development fund; Referral bonuses; Approximately 48 days off throughout the year including holidays, sick days, personal days and summer Fridays; Benefits subject to change