Director of Special Events and Rentals

The Director of Special Events and Rentals is a key leadership position in the Development department (which is responsible for raising $15 million annually in support of our exhibitions and operations), collaborating with department heads across the Museum and overseeing a team of four, with three direct reports. Working in close collaboration with fellow Development division heads, they will strengthen the overall donor pipeline through our dynamic special events and rentals with an annual fundraising and sales goal of $3.5 million ($2 million through fundraisers and $1.5 million through rental sales). The Director of Special Events and Rentals oversees the strategic development of fundraisers, opening events, and rentals with the goal of creating meaningful and impactful events that meet financial targets. They aim to teach, lead, and inspire their team to book and execute creative, on-brand events that support our mission and garner increased press/brand awareness, donor loyalty, and new supporters. The Director also has the exciting opportunity to take a lead role in planning for our annual Brooklyn Artists Ball fundraiser.

Qualifications:
A successful candidate will meet many of these requirements, and have the desire and capacity to learn the rest on the job.

• Seven years of progressively growing responsibility managing fundraising events and/or rentals, with a track record of meeting goals, cultivating donors and sponsors, enhancing donor involvement, and producing creative, on-brand events
• Excellent relationship management and interpersonal skills, and a collaborative approach to leadership
• Ability to work effectively with donors, volunteers, and staff, as both a team leader and a team player
• Superior judgment and diplomatic skills, professional demeanor
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, strong organizational skills, and accurate attention to detail
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and experience working with donor databases such as Raiser’s Edge
• Internet research skills and strong knowledge of social media
• Knowledge of the art world and a passion for the Museum’s mission

Responsibilities:

• Manage the Special Events and Rentals division to ensure direct reports are meeting and exceeding annual financial goals, developing on-brand events, booking mission-aligned rentals, managing budgets, and reporting out in a timely manner
• Oversee the suite of events that are produced in all areas of Development, including corporate, individual, Membership, and institutional programming
• Ensure maintenance of clear, complete, and up-to-date records of contribution and pledge information in Raiser’s Edge
• Supervise timely preparation of contracts, invoices, and gift acknowledgments, as well as accurate research and profiles on clients, prospects, and event attendees
• Identify new opportunities for events and rentals, research and develop systems and strategies to promote special events and rentals, and work with the team to implement innovative sales strategies, particularly uses of technology and social media
• Advise and mentor the Senior Manager, Events and Rentals on areas of financial strategy, team management, marketing campaign development, event vetting, contract negotiation, and administrative best practices
• Guide the team on best practices and on the strategy, concept, theme, format, and execution of events
• Direct Assistant Managers, Special Events as they execute fundraisers, openings, and select engagement events, including fundraising solicitation and marketing campaigns; conducting prospect research; developing and tracking guest lists and coordinating seating; working with corporate partners and donors; overseeing logistics and Runs of Show; and booking and managing talent, vendors, and on-site staff
• Collaborate with the Director of Corporate Relations to identify potential corporate event and rental partners, conduct walkthroughs, pitch ideas, and ensure partner event goals are met
• Work with Public Relations staff to identify press opportunities, draft media alerts, and coordinate event photo-ops
• Lead execution of the entire fundraising campaign for the Brooklyn Artists Ball, including setting pricing, identifying prospects and securing gifts, and triggering actions from other department directors; developing the event scope of the Ball and advising on creative aspects, talent booking, etc.; and directly overseeing all donor cultivation activities
• Hire and manage direct reports, vendors, and event consultants, as well as temporary staff and volunteers to work on select events
• Provide special events training and oversight, and provide expertise in planning to colleagues across the Museum
• Prepare financial reports for presentation to Museum leadership
• Execute administrative responsibilities as needed

Start date: Immediately

Department: Development

Reports to: Deputy Director and Chief Development Officer

Position type: Full-time

Union status: Non-union

FLSA status: Exempt

Schedule: 35 hours per week, Monday through Friday, 9 am to 5 pm, occasional weekend and evening hours required