Senior Director, Donor Engagement and Experiences

Job Description

Job Description

Position: Senior Director, Donor Engagement and Experiences

Reports to: Associate Vice President, Development and Donor Engagement

Department: Resource Development

Organization Summary:

United Way of New York City (UWNYC) works with a coalition of trusted partners to unite community power with citywide possibility. Together, we meet today’s most urgent needs while building transformative solutions for tomorrow — striving for health, opportunity, and prosperity for every New Yorker in every neighborhood. Part of the United Way Worldwide system, one of the world’s most recognized charitable brands, we believe that New Yorkers deserve to thrive where they live and envision a future where all New Yorkers have the resources they need to live long, healthy lives in flourishing and resilient neighborhoods. We strive to model our values in all our relationships, both internal and external: Collaboration, Compassion, Integrity, Accountability, and Superior Performance.

Position Overview:

Reporting to the Associate Vice President, Development and Donor Engagement, the Senior Director, Donor Engagement and Experiences serves as a strategic leader within the Resource Development (RD) team, overseeing a comprehensive portfolio of fundraising, stewardship, cultivation, and recognition events that advance the organization's philanthropic goals. This position is responsible for executing meaningful donor experiences that strengthen relationships, increase revenue, deepen engagement with and recognition of the organization's brand and mission.

Primary Responsibilities:

Fundraising Events Leadership

• Direct all planning and execution for the organization's special events portfolio, including two major fundraisers: the annual Power of Women to Make a Difference Awards Luncheon (March) and Gridiron Gala (May).
• Collaborate with Resource Development team and Committees, Board, to execute and achieve fundraising goals, sponsorship strategies, ticket sales, and donor participation.
• Oversee all event production, logistics, vendor management, auctions, presentations, and program development with various internal and external partners.
• Create event experiences that strengthen donor engagement and inspire philanthropic investment.

Donor Stewardship and Engagement Events Leadership

• Implement a year-round event plan for various donor audiences, including at least: 4 – 6 community site visits; 4 – 10 receptions, fireside chats, and networking events; and emerging opportunities including press and community events.
• Partner with frontline fundraisers to create tailored donor experiences and to support workplace campaign engagements.

Operations and Strategic Planning

• Lead and mentor events and donor engagement staff, including 1 FTE direct report and volunteer staff from across the organization.
• Own and manage event budgets, vendor relationships, contracts, and timelines.
• Oversee event technology, registration systems, and donor data integration pre-, during and post-event.
• Collaborate with Development, Marketing and Communications, Community Impact, Finance, and Operations teams to ensure seamless execution
• Establish KPIs related to donor engagement, event revenue, sponsorship growth, and attendee experience.
• Analyze donor participation and event performance trends.
• Develop recommendations for improving donor journeys and event ROI.
• Assumes other responsibilities as assigned to meet business and operational needs.

Strategic Donor Communications, Messaging, and Marketing

• Oversee the creation of all event-related marketing and communications assets, including sponsorship materials, sales sheets, invitations, digital campaigns, event websites, presentations, scripts, executive remarks, donor recognition content, and post-event stewardship communications.
• Collaborate with Program, Development, and Marketing teams to identify and elevate compelling stories of impact that inspire philanthropic support, deepen donor connections, and showcase organizational outcomes.
• Direct the production of event content and multimedia storytelling assets, including videos, presentations, beneficiary profiles, and mission-focused experiences, partnering with internal and external creative resources to ensure high-quality execution.
• Ensure a consistent, donor-centered experience across all event communications and touchpoints, delivering timely, meaningful engagement for sponsors, donors, volunteers, and attendees.

Event Strategy, Planning & Organizational Support

• Provide strategic leadership and organization-wide expertise in event planning, logistics, and project management to deliver exceptional donor, community, volunteer, and organizational events that advance UWNYC's mission, strengthen partnerships, and ensure a consistent, high-quality participant experience that reflects the organization's brand and values.

• Serve as UWNYC's subject matter expert in event strategy, planning, logistics, and project management, providing strategic guidance and operational support for donor engagement, community, volunteer, and organization-wide events.
• Partner with Community Impact, Marketing & Communications, and other internal departments to plan and execute community-facing events, stakeholder convenings, volunteer initiatives, and cross-functional organizational events.
• Ensure all donor, community, and organizational events consistently reflect UWNYC's mission, brand standards, messaging, and participant experience.
• Develop standardized event planning processes, timelines, templates, and operational tools that promote consistency, efficiency, and operational excellence across UWNYC.
• Establish organization-wide event management best practices and serve as a trusted advisor to departments planning mission-related events.
• Identify opportunities to enhance event experiences through innovation, technology, and industry best practices.

Skills, Knowledge, and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Event Management, Nonprofit Management, Communications, Marketing, Business Administration, or a related field required.
• Minimum of seven+ years of experience in special events, including fundraising and cultivation events preferred.
• Demonstrated track record of managing direct reports and/or volunteer staff and vendors and marketing / donor messaging.
• Ability to work with diverse stakeholders, internal and external – staff, vendors, Board Members.

• An understanding of charitable giving legal guidelines, specifically as it relates to fundraising events, and nonprofit fundraising and stewardship events overall.

• Excellent relationship management and interpersonal skills; the ability to work effectively with donors, volunteers and staff; display superior judgment and diplomatic skills; excellent verbal and written communications skills.
• Successful end to end event planning and execution, with experience working in nonprofit / with donor audiences.

• The flexibility to work early mornings, late evenings, and occasional weekends due to the nature of our events.

• Enthusiasm, commitment to excellence, self-motivation, a professional demeanor, highly organized and detail oriented.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Project) and event technology platforms, and strong knowledge of social media.
• Experience in Raiser’s Edge NXT required.

Key Competencies:

• Revenue Focused and Data Driven
• Strategic Relationship Building and Collaboration
• Planning and Project Management

• Effective and Engaging Communication
• Planning and Execution

Additional Requirements:

• UWNYC is presently on a Hybrid/In-Person work schedule.

United Way of NYC Core Competencies for All Staff

• Mission Focused: Catalyze others’ commitment to the mission to create real social change that leads to better lives and healthier communities. This drives their performance and professional motivations.
• Relationship-Oriented : Understands that people come before processes and is astute in cultivating and managing relationships toward a common goal.
• Collaborator : Understands the roles and contributions of all sectors of the community and can mobilize resources (financial and human) through meaningful engagement.
• Results Driven: Dedicated to shared and measurable goals for the common good: creating, resourcing, scaling and leveraging strategies and innovations for broad investment and impact.
• Brand Steward : Steward of the brand and understands his/her role in growing and protecting the reputation and results of the greater network .

United Way of New York City is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer