Associate Director of Strategic Partnerships & Events

Job Description

Job Description

Description

The Associate Director of Strategic Partnerships & Special Events is responsible for the strategic planning, management, and execution of the organization's signature events, including community engagement and fundraising initiatives, corporate partnership experiences, and select organizational programs. Serving as the primary lead for event strategy and operations, this role oversees all aspects of event planning, logistics, and execution to deliver high-quality experiences that advance visibility, community engagement goals, fundraising, and stewardship. The Associate Director reports to the Director of Communications and collaborates closely with the Vice President of Development, and other staff leadership to ensure events align with organizational goals and priorities, strengthen stakeholder relationships, and support the organization's mission.

 

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee the strategic development of events by evaluating and improving current initiatives and creating new opportunities that foster partnerships, expand organizational visibility, and generate fundraising support. Develop, implement, and maintain a yearly calendar of special events in collaboration with Executive and other staff leadership.
• Develop and manage the logistics, vendor negotiations, on-site execution, and post-event assessment/reporting for all annual recognition and fundraising events (e.g., Community Heroes Celebration, Hoop Dreams, Field of Dreams, Staff Celebration) and other organizational events. Ensure all events comply with established event procedures, including day-of coordination and troubleshooting.
• Develop and manage event budgets, including preparing approved budgets and monitoring and tracking expenses.
• Develop and execute engagement strategies for special events by working with leadership to identify priority audiences and coordinate outreach. Build and maintain lasting relationships with supporters, prospective donors, corporate partners, volunteers, community organizations, event chairs and/or host committees.
• Oversee systems for tracking event participation, attendance, sponsorships, and VIP involvement; manage registration and ticketing processes to ensure accurate records and a smooth participant experience; and maintain systems for post-event feedback and follow-up.
• Provide research and support related to guests, sponsors, donors, public officials, and other potential participants.
• Partner with the Development Team to identify, solicit, cultivate, and steward event-related donations. This includes managing the sponsorship pipeline, supporting donor outreach, developing fundraising materials, securing table hosts, and soliciting in-kind gifts for efforts such as silent auctions. Track progress against fundraising and sponsorship goals for signature events, sharing accountability for revenue outcomes.
• Collaborate with the volunteer office to recruit, screen, and train volunteers as needed for each event.
• Coordinate with internal teams, including public information, finance, development, executive, and programs, on the creation and production of invitations, guest lists, and event materials. As a member of the communications team, contribute to event marketing, promotion, sponsorship packets, and social media outreach to drive attendance and visibility.
• Support programs and neighborhood sites in developing and implementing successful outreach, awareness, or resource development events.
• Availability to work evenings and weekends as the event calendar requires.
• Ability to travel throughout Greater Boston and to be on site for extended event days, including load-in and load-out.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

• Minimum of a bachelor's degree with a major in marketing, public relations, nonprofit management or related field
• Five to seven years of experience with event management, marketing and corporate sponsorships required.
• Excellent planning, organizational, and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple concurrent events and competing deadlines.
• Demonstrated commitment to the mission of the agency and to working within the Boston community and/or human service programs.
• Documented success producing both large- and small-scale events — in person, virtual, and hybrid — that reach diverse audiences and build visibility and/or support for an organization, including budget management and vendor negotiations.
• Experience producing events in complex or third-party venues, including permitting, certificates of insurance, accessibility compliance, security and life-safety planning, load-in and load-out logistics, and working within venue and labor requirements.
• Experience building and maintaining long-term relationships with individual and corporate sponsors, including developing compelling sponsorship packages and collaborating on the identification and securing of partnership commitments at the four- and five-figure level.
• Experience delivering on sponsor and partner commitments, including benefit fulfillment, recognition, impact reporting, and renewal.
• Experience developing and managing event budgets, analyzing expense-to-revenue performance, and reconciling with the finance department.
• Experience managing volunteers, including host committees and day-of-event support.
• Proven experience building productive and professional relationships with colleagues, clients, donors, prospects, partners, board members, senior staff, and other organizational contacts.
• Experience with events, constituent management software such as Cvent, Raiser’s Edge, GiveSmart, GiveButter, and Monday.com.
• Working knowledge of the digital tools that support events, including registration and ticketing platforms, event email and promotional campaigns, virtual and hybrid event production, and post-event analytics used in partner reporting.
• Experience maintaining accurate constituent and partner records in a CRM or database such as Monday.com, with strong attention to data hygiene, tracking, and reporting.
• Demonstrated ability to anticipate and mitigate event risk, including weather contingencies, emergency protocols, and coordination with communications staff on issues management.
• Sound judgment and discretion in handling confidential information, and the ability to work effectively across departments and reporting lines in a collaborative, matrixed environment.
• Cultural competency and the ability to work respectfully and effectively with the diverse communities the agency serves.

Why Work Here

• Make a Difference: Every day, your work directly impacts the lives of thousands in the Greater Boston community, empowering them and making positive, lasting change.
• Inclusive Environment: ABCD values the diversity of its workforce, with an inclusive culture that respects individuality and promotes collaboration.
• Continuous Learning: We offer numerous training and development opportunities, ensuring our staff remain at the forefront of community action methodologies and strategies.
• Comprehensive Benefits: At ABCD, we take care of our own, providing a competitive benefits package, including health coverage and retirement plans.
• A Legacy of Impact: Join an organization that boasts a legacy spanning over half a century, consistently championing the rights and needs of our community's most vulnerable.
• Teamwork & Camaraderie: Be a part of a passionate team, united in their mission to combat poverty, and ensure every individual can reach their fullest potential.