Team Lead, Donor Engagement & Events

Reporting to the Head of Donor Engagement (“Head”) and serving as a key member of the Donor Engagement team within the Advancement department, the Team Lead, Donor Engagement and Events, advances the mission of Success Academy Charter Schools (SA) by leading efforts to engage donors and prospective donors, strengthen relationships, and maximize philanthropic support. This multifaceted role requires a skilled professional capable of managing various components of donor events (for engagement/cultivation, fundraising, and/or stewardship purposes), from ideation and planning to management and execution, as well as volunteer engagement, and other special projects.

The Team Lead, Donor Engagement and Events is a proactive, confident self-starter that thrives in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment that values results. They are persistent and driven to succeed in advancing efforts to expand
and retain a robust, engaged community of individual donors that enable SA to meet or exceed its ambitious goals to reinvent public education. Success in this role will require the following qualities:

• Self-motivated, self-sufficient, and driven to lead and collaborate with others to achieve success.
• Detail-oriented and analytical;
• Proactive, and forward thinking;
• Persuasive, outgoing, and confident with exceptional communication skills.
• Possesses the highest standards of personal and professional integrity; and
• Adheres to and promotes SA’s mission, culture, and strategic priorities.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Event Management (60%)
Under the direction of the Head, Donor Engagement, the Team Lead has primary responsibility for event operations for all in-person and virtual Advancement Events,including fundraising events (e.g., galas, dinners), as well as cultivation and stewardship events, including but not limited to the following essential functions:

● Liaises with and manages vendors, consultants, speakers, talent, venues,
host(s), caterers, and transportation.
● Works with Development Team, Marketing, Communications, Creative Agency,
Donor Engagement colleagues, and others to develop and execute prospect
segmentation plans, list development, invitation design and related copy, event
program and other collateral materials, marketing calendar/schedule, pre- and
post-event communications, social media promotion, registration/payment
options, tracking of RSVPs (and their guests) and payments, vetting, and
manages/oversees preparation of bios/briefings.
● Partners with Advancement leadership to develop and smoothly execute
run-of-show for all events, including executive leadership involvement and
support, scripts, seating plan, on-site staffing, volunteer plan, and management
of same, as appropriate, to achieve event objectives and facilitate an excellent
experience for donors and guests.

Serves as lead event planner/manager for Advancement team in planning and
executing cultivation and stewardship events that support the revenue goals and
engagement objectives of major gifts and foundation partnerships.
● Supports efforts to make all fundraising events diverse and inclusive, including
liaising with Comms teams, Marketing, and Executive leadership regarding
content, speakers, entertainment, and guests.

Special Projects & Administration (30%)

● Works closely with Head and CAO to monitor revenues and expenses relative to
event budget targets. Provides regular and timely reporting of same to Head.
● Inputs, tracks, and manages event-related and associated donor activity in
Raiser’s Edge. Helps Individual Giving team maintain accurate donor event
records and reports using Raiser’s Edge and provides post-event analysis to
measure event success.
● Collaborates with cross-functional teams to ensure successful integration of
event activities with broader organizational goals and initiatives.
● Collaborates with Donor Engagement and Advancement leaders to brainstorm
and ideate creative event concepts, themes, and experiences that resonate with
donors and align with Success Academy's mission and brand.
● Works with the Lead, Donor Engagement on event programs that align with
fundraising goals, donor engagement targets, and the organization's mission.
● Utilizes data-driven insights from Raiser’s Edge and industry best practices to
guide decision-making and optimize the effectiveness of donor events.
● Conducts analysis of donor event performance, including attendance,
engagement, and return on investment (ROI), to identify areas for improvement
and inform future event strategies.
● Supports the Head and the Advancement leadership team with projects that
contribute to the department’s overall goals and performs other duties as
assigned.

Team Management (10%)

This role will supervise at least one other employee, and is expected to:
● Create an inclusive team where feedback is freely shared, and transparency is
the norm.
● Lead the co-creation of goals and expectations for the department/team.
● Give and solicit feedback from reports and peers regularly as both part of formal
processes and informal day to day.
● Actively coach and develop your team. Play an active role in the hiring process
when needed.

ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES AND OCCASIONAL DUTIES

● Other duties as may be assigned from time to time. Occasional evening and weekend work required to meet critical
deadlines.

QUALIFICATIONS

1. Education (Minimum Needed and Type of Degree Needed):
● Minimum Required: Bachelor's degree and experience in a relevant field (Event Management, Nonprofit
Management, Business Administration, etc.)

2. Work Experience (Minimum Needed):
● Minimum Required: 3-5 years of experience in event planning, donor relations, or nonprofit fundraising, with a
track record of executing successful donor events at an organization of comparable size and complexity.

3. Specialized Knowledge Needed for Performance of Job:
● Demonstrated prior success in bespoke customer experience, donor engagement/stewardship, and/or donor
events.

4. Skills (e.g., Level of Judgment Required, Ability to Direct, Work Independently, Multi-Task, etc.):
● Proven strategic thinking and analytical skills, capable of interpreting data to inform event planning and
decision-making.
● Excellent communication and interpersonal abilities to cultivate relationships with donors, volunteers, and
stakeholders effectively.
● Strong project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects and priorities simultaneously.

5. Special Skills (Technical or Advanced)
● Strong computer skills, including fluency in Microsoft Office and Google suite.
● Proficiency in using donor management software and familiarity with RE NXT or similar CRM systems helpful.
● Experience using event management software.

6. Other (Communication Skills, Mechanical Aptitude, Math Skills, Learning Skills, or Other Specific Skills Required):
● Superb verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
● Possesses a passion for the mission of SA and engages prospects with same passion.
● Ability to travel locally, occasionally work after hours and on weekends.