Director of Major Gifts

POSITION OBJECTIVE:

The Director of Events is a leader within the Advancement Team who carries primary responsibility for The Phillips Collections’ special events—more than 100 annually—that generate revenue; steward and cultivate current and prospective donors, patrons, and members; and enhance the museum’s activities as well as the organization’s institutional brand. They work closely with the Chief Advancement Officer to set strategic goals for internal events including fundraising, budgets, and relationship building.

Reporting to the Chief Advancement Officer, the Director of Advancement Events is responsible for overseeing the Events Manager, collaborating with the Advancement Operations team, and serving as a leader within the Advancement Department. The incumbent will collaborate cross-departmentally to execute beautiful events that position the Phillips as a destination cultural icon within the District.

The Phillips Collection Advancement Department is in an exciting inflection point, since the arrival of new leadership in 2023 of a new Museum Director and CEO and Chief Advancement Officer. Approval of a new Strategic Plan in June 2024 is shaping the near-term future and priorities of the museum, and the Advancement team has seen tremendous momentum since beginning the plan’s implementation—momentum propelled, in part, by top-notch events and experiences at the museum.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Annual Gala

• Create a comprehensive plan and strategies to achieve annual Gala fundraising goal ($900K+), in partnership with Corporate, Major Gifts, and other relationship managers across the Advancement department.
• Conceive design and theme of the annual Gala in close collaboration with key museum stakeholders and leaders, as well as MarComm team.
• Work with the Chief Advancement Officer to engage and manage gala leadership, including gala committees, honorees, and other leadership.
• Develop and ensure adherence to a main Gala production timeline, inclusive of setting event dates, goals, and critical decision points.
• Schedule and lead planning meetings with relevant parties, including the trustee-led Gala Committee.
• Guide the Gala production consultants to create and disseminate RFPs for external Gala vendors and manage the selected consultants and vendors’ actions and deliverables appropriately.
• Drive and oversee collateral and promotional materials to publicize the Gala, including printed invitations, website design, social media and e-blast campaigns, and night-of collateral.
• Hold accountability for all Gala actions and deliverables, including timely reporting, sponsor benefits, media engagement, and timely follow-up.
• Oversee all load in, day of Run of Show, and load out logistics in close collaboration with production consultant, entire Advancement team, and other teams throughout the museum.

Event Design and Coordination (Internal events include Special Exhibition Openings, Advancement cultivation and stewardship events, including diplomatic collaborations, Board of Trustee events, and Phillips after 5.)

• Collaborate with Advancement colleagues, the Director’s Office, Curatorial, Music, Public Programs, Education, and THEARC to design and implement a comprehensive events strategy that nurtures the membership to major gifts pipeline goals.
• Maintain a current list of Advancement Events throughout the fiscal year and participate, and lead when appropriate, strategic discussion across the organization to ensure resources such as spaces, equipment, and staff consider the institution’s capacity.
• Collaborate with AV, Security, Preparator, Registrar, and Facilities team—and Bread Furst Café—to ensure that museum events dovetail seamlessly with overall museum operations.
• Ensure events follow building and local neighborhood protocols in terms of safety for guests, staff, and museum assets in collaboration with Security and Facilities colleagues.
• Drive design of all event catering, décor, A/V, and lighting logistics and ensure seamless execution and implementation, including oversight of internal and external staffing.
• Serve as Phillips liaison for all opportunities to entertain via Embassy collaborations, in direct cooperation with Embassy social secretaries and cultural attaches, as well as the Director of Foundation and Government Affairs and Director of Corporate Affairs, as appropriate.

Event General Administration

• Collaborate with the Advancement Operations team to oversee list building, RSVP tracking, and reporting for all internal events.
• Maintain and catalog lists of approved vendors for both internal and external use (caterers, entertainment, staffing support, etc.).
• Ensure timely event preparation and follow-up: briefings, thank you letters, and dissemination of event audience information for cultivation purposes.
• Support Events Manager in planning and execution of catering-related aspects of Phillips after 5.
• Partner with Finance to ensure that all event vendors are paid in a timely fashion.

Other Responsibilities

• Partner with the Major Gifts team to provide logistical support and work with third party consultants as needed for select Phillips Travel opportunities
• Partner with the Rentals team as needed to promote The Phillips Collection as a premier rental venue in the DMV
• Collaborate with Advancement Directors’ cohort via weekly meetings and dedicated initiatives.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS & QUALIFICATIONS:

• 5-7+ years of events experience in a not-for-profit or hospitality environment, preferably in the arts and culture sector
• College degree or relevant experience
• Hold and maintain ABRA license and ensure compliance to D.C. liquor laws.
• Experience with leading, managing, and mentoring direct report employees, peers, and vendors, as well as interfacing with Trustees and VIP constituents with maturity, confidence, and presence
• Knowledge and experience with events in the local market preferred; experience in catering and knowledge of protocol and etiquette highly desirable
• Superlative organizational and project management skills with ability to create and execute plans with measurable objectives
• Budgeting acumen and extraordinary attention to detail
• Collaborative, positive team player with high degree of personal initiative and accountability
• Superlative and proactive written and verbal communication skills
• Strategic, creative, curious, and organized thinker, skilled at managing multiple competing priorities
• Knowledge of and passion for the arts, and especially the visual arts, strongly preferred
• Ability to maintain confidentiality, use discretion, and employ tactfulness when handling sensitive and confidential situations
• Availability for on-site staff support during events, including many nights and weekends, notably the Annual Gala held each May, essential
• Ability to travel nationally and internationally, on occasion
• Marketing and sales experience, a plus

Employment at The Phillips Collection is at-will. At-will means that you may terminate your employment at any time for any reason with or without notice and that The Phillips may terminate your employment at any time for any reason.