Associate Director, Events, Donor Relations

Associate Director, Events, Donor Relations
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
Brookline, MA
Full Time

The Associate Director of Events on Donor Relations is responsible for implementing a comprehensive and robust portfolio of recognition, stewardship, and cultivation events. Accountable for executing all projects within budget and on time, the Associate Director will collaborate with the Dana-Farber’s faculty and leadership, develop compelling event programs, secure the best value from vendors, identify process efficiencies, collaborate with departments across Dana-Farber, and ensure alignment with policies and standards. This position is responsible for assisting the entire Division with reaching financial goals. This position is considered remote, up to 1 day in the office each week. DFCI guidelines state that employees must reside in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, or Rhode Island.

Responsibilities:

• Collaborate with the Director of Events to create an annual strategy for a pipeline of 80+ annual recognition, stewardship, and cultivation events (in-person and virtual).
• Serve as the event manager and lead for a portfolio of high-profile recognition, stewardship, and cultivation events:
  • Generate ideas for program development, including the identification of strategic program topics and speakers.
  • Strategize appropriate speakers and manage the relationship with selected speakers throughout the event planning and implementation stages.
  • Plan and execute all event logistics, for example, catering, A/V, production of virtual events on Zoom, event collateral, and staffing.
  • Coordinate briefing materials for the President and CEO, Senior Vice President and Chief Philanthropy Officer, faculty, and Philanthropy staff.
  • Work with vendors to obtain best prices and services.
  • Prepare and monitor budgets for all events and ensure transparent communication with budget managers.
  • Conduct post-event analysis and evaluation, including drafting debrief reports.
• As a specialized strategic event partner, responsible for building credibility and trust with Division colleagues, faculty, patient speakers, and the donor community.
• Participate in the strategic planning process related to new event concepts and translate Institute-wide initiatives and funding priorities into compelling event programs.
• Track project time in QuickBase.
• Create and oversee implementation of project management tools, policies, and procedures to aid in the successful planning of all events.
• Work closely with senior management to ensure all fundraising goals are accomplished through the execution of each event.
• Seek ways to ensure quality, efficiency, and effectiveness of event capabilities.
• Reports to the Director of Events, Donor Relations.
• This role does not manage full-time staff directly.
• Works collaboratively with Dana-Farber’s leadership, departments across the Institute, and staff from the Division of Philanthropy.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree required with a minimum of 6-8 years of professional experience.
• Event planning experience required; experience planning philanthropy events preferred.
• Philanthropy experience, including direct work with donors and frontline fundraising staff, preferred.
• Significant donor and volunteer management experience strongly preferred.
• Strong ability to plan strategically and see the bigger picture as it relates to stewarding, cultivating, and recognizing major donors and prospects through events.
• Strong leadership abilities and project management experience.
• Sharp attention to detail and ability to review and edit materials (e.g., briefings, event printed materials).
• Exceptional organizational skills and ability to assess and correct processes and procedures.
• Effective in working with wide audiences, including highest level of Dana-Farber constituencies.
• Strong sense of client support and success.
• Positive, can-do attitude; willing to do what it takes to meet the goals of the Division of Philanthropy.
• This position will evaluate current programs and create and execute approved plans to expand and diversify the donors and participants for the events assigned in order to broaden our donor base and create even more inclusive events. Experience with diverse donors is a plus.

Resume and cover letter required with application submission.

To learn more and to apply, please visit: 

About Dana-Farber Cancer Institute: 
At Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, we work every day to create an innovative, caring, and inclusive environment where every patient, family, and staff member feels they belong.  As relentless as we are in our mission to reduce the burden of cancer for all, we are equally committed to diversifying our faculty and staff.  Cancer knows no boundaries and when it comes to hiring the most dedicated and diverse professionals, neither do we. If working in this kind of organization inspires you, we encourage you to apply.

Located in Boston and the surrounding communities, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute is a leader in life changing breakthroughs in cancer research and patient care. We are united in our mission of conquering cancer, HIV/AIDS, and related diseases. We strive to create an inclusive, diverse, and equitable environment where we provide compassionate and comprehensive care to patients of all backgrounds, and design programs to promote public health particularly among high-risk and underserved populations. We conduct groundbreaking research that advances treatment, we educate tomorrow's physician/researchers, and we work with amazing partners, including other Harvard Medical School-affiliated hospitals.

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute is an equal opportunity employer and affirms the right of every qualified applicant to receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, national origin, sexual orientation, genetic information, disability, age, ancestry, military service, protected veteran status, or other groups as protected by law.