National Events Director - Full-time

Lambda Legal seeks a dynamic and energetic National Events Director (NED) to lead its national events team. The NED is charged with strategically directing and expanding Lambda Legal's events programs across the country. You will focus on recruiting and leading volunteer event committees in markets across the country in order to build attendance, and increase individual, corporate and law firm contributions to these events. You will appropriately utilize events to increase awareness of Lambda Legal's program priorities as well as promote the organization's major donor and planned giving programs. You will also work with the regional and national development team to increase giving to events each year, and, together with the other members of the events team, will manage tall ticketed events and provide support to non-ticketed events as assigned. The National Events Director position has travel requirements, both to key fundraising markets and to Lambda Legal offices around the country to provide supervision as required. You will to the Senior Director, Marketing and Engagement. Essential Duties and Responsibilities: The National Events Director is responsible for directing the overall vision of the Events Program resulting in $5.2 million in gross annual revenue. This includes: Directly manage a portfolio of major fundraising events ranging in size from $100,000 - $1.3m in gross revenue and 300 – 800 guests. This includes senior-level leadership such as: Execute integrated marketing campaigns that promote organizational priority areas and that are implemented across events – from sponsorship solicitation through promotional materials and on-site event messaging. Coordinate solicitation of event sponsors, including corporate, law firm and individual sponsors. Develop strategy and process to solicit existing Lambda Legal donors and work with major gifts officers and volunteer committees to identify and solicit prospective donors Manage solicitor assignments and provide routine progress reports to internal and external stakeholders Craft messaging themes, talking points, scripts and other tools that empower volunteer event committees to fundraise In addition to the above, ensure the following responsibilities are met for their portfolio and all events each year: Develop and manage event project timelines and establish event revenue and expense budgets with key volunteers and staff. With other development staff, provide motivating leadership and structure to volunteer event committees through regularly scheduled meetings. Serve as primary contact for fulfillment of all promised sponsorship benefits, including recognition, on-site brand activation, guest lists, speaking roles, etc. With designers, develop event promotional material; invitations, e-vites, websites, social media campaigns, advertisements, post cards, and programs as required Process and track event income and manage all guest details Procure services from vendors and negotiate contracts with venues, caterers, audio-visual providers, consultants, publicists, printers, etc. Ensure smooth production of all on-site event logistics Recruit, train and supervise day-of event volunteers. Create compelling event programs that feature Lambda Legal's core legal work through guest speakers and/or multi-media and inspire audiences to support the organization through floor pitches/asks. Prepare post-event summaries, report on event income and final expenses, participate in committee de-brief meetings and provide strategic assessments of event success. Coordinate event management duties detailed above with event consultants in cases where consultants are primary event managers. Ensure that donor information is communicated to Lambda Legal from consultants accurately and in a timely manner. Oversee technology and systems infrastructure for nearly 100 annual events – database, income tracking, web, social media and e-mail promotional channels. Maintain centralized database/calendar of all events and pertinent details and metrics – dates, locations, guests, budgets, expenses, key deadlines. Establish and implement best practices that follow General Accounting Practices including processing of income, receipting of donors and tracking of event gift deductibility. Review and approve all event related vendor contracts. As needed, provide consultation and expert support in event management to non-event team staff and colleagues. Work with inter-department teams and external departments to maintain constituent e-mail systems, web site and social media listings as they relate to events. Continuously research industry developments and integrate new technology – cloud based guest lists and iPad check-in; mobile swipe credit card processing; text-to-pledge – into events. Develop and maintain a successful Peer-to-Peer fundraising platform to support third party and volunteer driven events. Provide strategic leadership to the National Events Team, including the National Events Manager (in New York) and two National Events Coordinators (in regional offices). Hire, train and mentor staff as required. Directly supervise National Events Manager, ensuring best practices are followed by team and all responsibilities for the management of events are met. Oversee quality control for the intersection between the National Events Team and other organizational departments: Liaison with Administration & Finance Team to review and maintain accurate accounting of event revenue and expenses. As required, assist with fiscal year close-out and audit. With Chief Financial Officer, ensure compliance of Lambda Legal events with insurance policies, municipal ordinances or permit requirements and laws as they apply to event fundraising activities. Complete miscellaneous projects and duties including: Assist in development of Lambda Legal publications such as Impact: Special Edition, Impact Magazine, Annual Report and others. As appropriate, personally identify, cultivate, and provide stewardship to portfolio of National Sponsors, and event driven corporate, law firm and individual major donors. Qualifications: You must be able to work in an autonomous environment and be self-directed and self-motivated. A qualified individual will have 5 years development experience, including direct work in fundraising events and direct work with individual donors in the cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of event gifts. Experience working closely with Board and key volunteers and knowledge of LGBT and/or philanthropic communities is desired. Knowledge and experience of Peer-to-Peer fundraising a plus. Outstanding written communication and analytical, interpersonal, and administrative skills are required. Skills in relationship management/customer service, marketing or campaign development highly desired. Skills in Microsoft Office programs, constituent management software (preferably Raiser's Edge) and social media platforms are necessary. Salary: Salary is commensurate with experience in the context of a mid-size non-profit advocacy organization. Benefits package is provided including medical, dental, life and long-term disability insurance. Generous vacation. Application: The position is open until filled. Send resume, cover letter, writing sample and salary requirements, by e-mail only to: Jeff Souva, Senior Director, Marketing & Engagement at 2017-ned-hdq@lambdalegal.org with the subject line of “National Events Director”. Salary requirements must be included with application. Lambda Legal is committed to further building and maintaining a staff that reflects the full range of LGBT, HIV and allied communities, and is an equal opportunity employer. People of color, transgender and gender-nonconforming people, women, people with abilities in multiple languages, immigrants, and people living with disabilities, including HIV, are encouraged to apply. The Chronicle of Philanthropy. Keywords: Event Director, Location: New York, NY - 10005