Special Events Senior Manager

Job Description

Job Description

Description:

Department: Development

Schedule: Full-time, Exempt

Reports To: Senior Director of Development

Job Grade: 5

About ICP

The International Center of Photography (ICP) is the world’s leading institution dedicated to photography and visual culture. Through our exhibitions, education, public programs, and community outreach, we offer an open forum for dialogue about the power of the image. Since our founding in 1974, we have presented more than 700 exhibitions and offered thousands of classes. Our integrated center on the Lower East Side unites our school and museum in one space, serving as a cultural anchor of Essex Crossing.

Position Summary

The Special Events Senior Manager leads the strategy, planning, and execution of ICP’s institutional special events, donor cultivation experiences, and select revenue-generating partnerships and rentals. This role serves as the primary project lead for ICP’s signature fundraising and donor-facing events, including the Infinity Awards, Spotlights Luncheon, and other high-profile institutional initiatives.
Working closely with Development leadership, trustees, vendors, sponsors, and cross-functional internal teams, this position plays a key role in advancing ICP’s fundraising, stewardship, and institutional visibility goals. The role requires strong project management skills, operational leadership, sound judgment, and the ability to manage multiple high-profile priorities in a fast-paced environment.
This position collaborates closely with colleagues across Development, Marketing & Communications, Curatorial, Education, Visitor Experience, Facilities, Finance, and external partners to deliver exceptional donor and guest experiences aligned with ICP’s mission and strategic priorities.

Key Responsibilities & Competencies

Special Events & Donor Engagement

• Lead planning and execution of ICP’s signature special events, including the Infinity Awards, Spotlights Luncheon, and other major fundraising initiatives
• Partner with Development leadership on fundraising strategy, sponsorship engagement, donor cultivation, and stewardship through events
• Manage event timelines, budgets, vendors, logistics, run of show documents, and on-site execution and run-of-show calls
• Oversee event communications, guest lists, seating, invitations, acknowledgements, and VIP engagement
• Manage relationships with co-chairs, trustees, sponsors, donors, honorees, host committees, and external partners
• Track event revenue, participation, sponsorship fulfillment, and post-event reporting
• Manage auction vendors, fundraising components, volunteers, and related event initiatives as applicable

Donor & Institutional Events

• Lead planning and execution of exhibition openings, donor cultivation events, and institutional gatherings throughout the year
• Manage vendors, event logistics, timelines, and on-site coordination
• Partner with Curatorial, Public Programs, Education, Marketing, and Visitor Experience teams to support programming and guest experience
• Track attendance, engagement, and post-event follow-up opportunities to support donor cultivation and institutional goals

Sponsorships & External Partnerships

• Support development and fulfillment of corporate sponsorship opportunities and event partnerships
• Maintain strong relationships with sponsors, vendors, and external stakeholders
• Ensure sponsor benefits and recognition are executed accurately and professionally
• Space Rentals & Operational Coordination
• Support planning and execution of select space rental events in coordination with Facilities, Visitor Experience, and external clients
• Help maintain and improve rentals workflows, operational standards, and cross-department coordination practices
• Identify opportunities to improve event systems, planning processes, and operational efficiencies

Additional Responsibilities

• Maintain accurate event, donor, sponsor, and vendor records within Raiser's Edge and related systems
• Monitor industry trends and best practices related to fundraising events, donor engagement, and cultural institution programming
• Build collaborative relationships across departments and contribute positively to team culture
• Support additional Development initiatives and institutional priorities as needed

Core Competencies

• Strong project management and organizational skills with exceptional attention to detail
• Ability to manage multiple high-priority projects and stakeholders simultaneously
• Strong relationship-building and interpersonal communication skills
• Ability to navigate evolving priorities and fast-paced event environments with professionalism and sound judgment
• Collaborative, solutions-oriented approach to cross-functional work
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Commitment to delivering high-quality donor and guest experiences
• Comfort working independently while balancing strategic and operational responsibilities

Requirements:

Education & Experience Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree required
• Minimum 5–7 years of experience in fundraising events, development operations, special events, or related work
• Experience independently leading complex fundraising or donor-facing events required
• Experience working with trustees, sponsors, donors, and senior stakeholders preferred
• Experience within nonprofit, arts, cultural, museum, or higher education environments preferred
• Familiarity with Raiser's Edge or similar CRM systems preferred

Working Conditions

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this role. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Ability to remain stationary for extended periods of time
• Ability to move event materials and occasionally lift or move up to 25 pounds, and sometimes up to 50 pounds
• Ability to support evening and occasional weekend events as needed

Compensation & Benefits

• Compensation Range: $80,000 - $90,000 annually, commensurate with experience.
• ICP offers a comprehensive benefits package, including:
  • Medical, dental, and vision coverage (with employer contributions and HRA support)
  • Employer-paid life insurance, short- and long-term disability, and Employee Assistance Program
  • 403(b) retirement plan with employer match up to 5% after one year
  • Flexible spending accounts and pre-tax commuter benefits
  • Generous paid time off, including vacation, sick time, personal days, holidays, floating holidays, and a birthday day off
  • Free or discounted museum admission, staff discounts, and access to perks programs
  • Professional development opportunities, including tuition-free ICP courses and discounted education programs for employees and dependents

The International Center of Photography is committed to equal opportunity employment. We believe that diversity, equity, and inclusion are values integral to offering an open forum for dialogue around photography and visual culture that is open to all.