Development Events Manager

Job Description

Job Description

About Perelman Performing Arts Center (PAC NYC)

Following 9/11, the community and civic planning process that resulted in the World Trade Center master plan in 2003 envisioned a new performing arts center as one of the anchors of the site. The Perelman Performing Arts Center (PAC NYC) opened in the Fall of 2023. Within its three flexible and intimate performance spaces, PAC NYC produces and presents multiple projects in theatre, dance, music and chamber opera. Across each season, we seek to celebrate life and to affirm community in our location at the World Trade Center.

Our mission

PAC NYC's mission is to create connections by cultivating bonds between extraordinary artists and communities, with exemplary performances in active dialogue across the arts, and in our flexible, intimate spaces, inviting conversation and new relationships. Our art and our audiences reflect the dynamic energy of all five boroughs of New York City. We invite everyone to join us as we celebrate creative expression from around the world. PAC NYC is where the world trades ideas.

The role

PAC NYC is looking for an organized, driven, and mission-oriented Development Events Manager to oversee the planning and execution of donor events. The Events Manager will be a key fundraiser in PAC NYC's Development team, cultivating a network of donors and partners, providing a world-class stakeholder experience, and creating engaging and impactful events. The Development Events Manager will have strong experience ideating, planning and executing donor events, designed to engage prospective and existing donors, and meet PAC NYC's fundraising goals.

Your key responsibilities

Events Management & Fundraising

• Plan, organize, coordinate, and manage 20-30 donor events annually, acting as the liaison between PAC NYC, donors, vendors, and external stakeholders, with full responsibility for timelines, accuracy, budgets, and execution.
• Serve as internal lead for PAC NYC's annual Gala, coordinating RSVPs, tracking, briefings, and internal workflows in partnership with external leads.
• Through seamless donor experiences, engage a network of new and existing donors, with a view to securing gifts at all levels.
• Ideate and implement donor event strategy to support departmental fundraising goals and long-term donor cultivation.
• Manage, support and motivate a Development Events Coordinator.
• Develop, manage, and track event budgets in collaboration with senior Development leadership, ensuring all events are delivered on time and within approved financial parameters.
• Lead internal and cross-departmental event meetings with clear agendas, documented decisions, and follow-through.
• Oversee all event materials, including invitations, donor event correspondence, run of show documents, scripts, seating plans, and vendor schedules, ensuring accuracy, consistency, and timely distribution.
• Ensure donor-facing spaces and experiences are fully prepared prior to guest arrival, including staffing, signage, technical needs, and vendor readiness.
• Attend all assigned donor events, including evenings and weekends as required, to oversee on-site execution and address issues in real time.
• In collaboration with the Director of Development, responsible for achieving and reporting on target revenue goals as generated by donor events.
• Work with Development Operations regarding list and donor data management.
• Track event RSVPs and assist with seating.
• Manage vendors and third-party service providers, ensuring contracts are fulfilled and services delivered as agreed.

Donor Intelligence, Prospect Research & Briefings

• Oversee and guide the preparation of donor face sheets and leadership briefing materials for event attendees, ensuring accuracy and strategic relevance.
• Ensure Development Coordinators produce accurate and timely donor research, attendance reports, and briefing materials in collaboration with Development Operations and Individual Giving.
• Prepare curated leadership briefings highlighting key donors and prospects for executive engagement.
• Maintain accurate records, post-event reports, and follow-up plans in collaboration with Individual Giving to support ongoing donor cultivation. Direct internal staff and vendors involved in event planning and execution.
• Develop and maintain an extensive network of internal and external contacts to facilitate event coordination.
• Determine staffing needs for donor events. Authorize or secure additional staff as required.
• Perform other related duties as assigned or requested.

What it takes to be successful in the role

• 5+ years in donor and/or fundraising events management and execution.
• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills.
• A team player who doesn't look at any task as too small.
• Strong budgeting and financial management skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines.
• Proficiency in social media platforms and content management.
• Proficiency in using donor databases and CRM software (e.g., Spektrix) to produce accurate lists, reports, and donor briefing materials.
• Detail-oriented with strong organizational skills.
• Passion for the performing arts and a commitment to PAC NYC's mission.

This position will remain open until a diverse and qualified pool of finalists has been identified.

Compensation and Benefits

Annual salary will range between $70,000 and $80,000 plus full benefits. Our benefits package includes health, dental, vision, life, accidental death and dismemberment and disability benefits, and self-insured dental, vision and health care and dependent day care flexible spending accounts. Full time employees are eligible for paid time off and 401K enrollment with employer match.

We encourage you to apply

At PAC NYC, we are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace. If you're excited by this role and the job description aligns with you and the work you are passionate about doing, please apply to the position. We encourage all applicants who are committed to contributing to an equitable and inclusive work environment to submit an application for a role with us without feeling like they need to meet every single qualification of the position, specifically people from traditionally excluded/marginalized groups. You might be the right candidate for this role, or for others that we're adding to our team.

Our commitment to creating a diverse and equitable workplace

Equal employment opportunity and a commitment to a diverse staff are fundamental principles at PAC NYC, where employment opportunities are based upon individual capabilities and qualifications without regard to race, color, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, national origin, citizenship, disability, veteran status or any other protected characteristic as established under law.