Associate Director of Special Events

ABOUT THE POSITION

About the Position Reporting to the Chief Development Officer, the Associate Director is responsible for the strategy and execution of special events at The Shed. They will develop the vision and plan, and lead the execution of ongoing events that will anchor our early years of operation. The ideal candidate has a proven track record of planning and executing high‑visibility, highly nuanced events. They will be responsible for strategic development, planning and execution of fundraising and special events, and donor cultivation and stewardship opportunities for The Shed. This role will be responsible for creating meaningful and impactful events that will foster strong donor relations and raise awareness of The Shed’s mission and programs. The individual will be a highly effective manager with proven capability of leading by example, training and developing staff, and thriving in a “hands‑on,” fast‑paced and entrepreneurial work environment. Success requires a self‑starter who has in-depth experience both in stewardship and event management, and a proven ability to get things done. Key responsibilities include, but are not limited to Lead a process working closely with the Development, Artistic, and Senior Management teams at The Shed to develop shared goals and vision for events at The Shed Develop a strategic plan for fulfillment events and The Shed’s Annual Gala In collaboration with the CDO, partner with key Board members and volunteers to build and support committees for key events Oversee execution of all institutional and development-focused events including cultivation events, stewardship activities, VIP access opportunities, fundraising occasions, The Shed Gala and Program openings Establish and maintain positive working relationships with all vendors and represent The Shed and all relevant parties Develop budgets for each event and support the budget management of the Development department overall

QUALIFICATIONS AND QUALITIES

Six to eight years of experience leading Special Events team within a cultural institution, performing arts facility or arts organization Successful execution of major fundraising events that met or exceeded revenue budgets Prior direct management and execution of multiple event types including event opening receptions, dinners, meetings, large scale galas, small exclusive dinners Experience working collaboratively with volunteer and Board leadership to envision, plan and execute successful events A demonstrated ability to work collaboratively as part of a highly motivated, energetic team Meticulous attention to detail and highest quality execution in all situations Ability to multitask, work well under pressure and in a fast‑paced environment is required Must have demonstrated strong problem‑solving and analytical skills Ability to introduce innovative ideas, implement them and make sure they are maintained Must be able to meet deadlines, work under pressure, make “time‑sensitve” decisions and be able to work both independently and within The Shed team environment Must maintain the highest level of ethics and integrity Excellent computer skills necessary, including Excel, Word, Office and Google Platform Efficient in creating and analyzing spreadsheets and preparing financial analyses and recommendations Ability to communicate efficiently and effectively with employees, management, clients and vendors as necessary Able to work a flexible schedule to accommodate business needs Experience with Tessitura and VenueOps a plus

COMPENSATION

Compensation will be commensurate with experience. Please note: The Shed has adopted a COVID‑19 vaccination policy to safeguard the health and well‑being of our employees. As a condition of employment, Shed employees are required to be fully vaccinated for COVID‑19, unless a reasonable accommodation is approved or as otherwise required by law. The Shed is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to the goal of building a culturally diverse staff, and strongly encourages applications from minority candidates. #J-18808-Ljbffr The Shed - New York, NY