National Director, Special Events, Galas & Gatherings

National Director, Special Events, Galas & Gatherings

The National Director, Special Events - Galas & Gatherings is responsible for the strategic leadership, management, and execution of a national portfolio of fundraising events, including galas, sporting events, community gatherings, and innovative fundraising initiatives. This role is critical in aligning event strategies with the Arthritis Foundation's mission to drive revenue generation, enhance community engagement, and maximize fundraising success. The Director will provide expert consultation, training, and support to staff and volunteers nationwide, ensuring seamless execution of events that exceed ambitious fundraising goals.

Strategic Leadership & Planning: Lead the development and execution of a three-year strategic plan for special event campaigns, ensuring alignment with the Arthritis Foundation's mission and financial goals. Drive fundraising strategies for national events with continuous growth.

Campaign Development & Execution: Oversee national special events, including galas, sporting events, community gatherings, and innovative fundraising initiatives. Ensure efficient execution focusing on revenue generation, volunteer engagement, corporate partnerships, and mission-driven outcomes.

Staff Training & Development: Develop and deliver training programs for staff and volunteers, equipping them with the strategies and tools necessary for successful event execution. Foster a culture of continuous learning to meet and exceed fundraising goals.

Consultation & Event Strategy: Provide strategic consultation to nationwide event teams on event planning, fundraising strategies, donor engagement, and volunteer leadership. Troubleshoot challenges and optimize event processes to improve outcomes.

Volunteer Leadership Development: Create training resources and leadership programs to empower volunteers, ensuring they are prepared to lead events and drive fundraising success.

Event Experience & Fundraising Tools: Continuously refine event experiences to ensure brand consistency and enhance donor engagement. To maximize revenue opportunities, provide technical support and strategic guidance for fundraising platforms like OneCause and DonorDrive.

Special Event Marketing & Resources: Develop and implement targeted marketing strategies for special events, ensuring alignment with fundraising goals and the Foundation's mission. Provide promotional materials, social media content, and sponsorship tools to support staff and volunteers.

Performance Monitoring & Strategy Refinement: Lead the evaluation and assessment of campaigns, setting clear benchmarks, KPIs, and market standards. Use data-driven insights to adjust strategies and drive continuous fundraising and community engagement growth.

Collaboration & Internal Partnerships: Build strong internal relationships to align departmental efforts and foster effective partnerships, supporting event strategies and corporate sponsorships.

Communication & Stakeholder Engagement: Create and manage internal and external communications, including fundraising materials, donor correspondence, and event collateral, to enhance engagement and awareness.

DIY Fundraising: Develop strategies to recruit new supporters, influencers, and communities for DIY fundraisers, live streaming, and virtual campaigns.

Required Experience & Education: 5-7 years of related experience in national fundraising campaigns, with a proven track record of strategic leadership in staff management, event planning, and fundraising. The ability to provide strategic guidance on event execution, implement fundraising best practices, and troubleshoot challenges to ensure successful outcomes. Extensive experience in developing and executing large-scale fundraising events, with a focus on strategy, revenue growth, and volunteer leadership. Strong expertise in training, coaching, and consulting with staff and volunteers to enhance their fundraising skills and leadership capabilities. A demonstrated ability to think strategically, use data to drive results, and generate revenue through creative event planning and corporate partnerships. Exceptional organizational, project management, and relationship-building skills that support effective collaboration and achievement of goals. A Bachelor's or Master's degree in Communications, Nonprofit Management, Marketing/PR, or a related field. Proficiency in MS Office, OneCause, DonorDrive, and familiarity with Salesforce CRM.