Description

Department: Development

Classification: Exempt, Full-time

Benefits: Full Museum Benefits

Compensation: Commensurate with experience

Scope of the Position

The Director of Special Events oversees the planning, administration, and implementation of Museum Fundraising events along with the events of the Development Department. The ideal candidate will have experience in non-profit fundraising along with project management experience and will collaborate with other internal departments as needed to ensure the highest standards of protocol and Museum practices are met and within an allocated budget. The Director of Special Events will guide all aspects of the Museum’s fundraising events to include fundraising and sponsorship coordination, timeline management, collaboration with volunteer leadership, and financial oversight (both revenue and expenses).

Essential Functions

• Oversee all aspects of the Museum’s annual fundraiser, Art Ball, and the DMA League’s fundraiser, Art in Bloom.
• Coordinate the Museum's annual plan for exhibition opening events with the Development Department Directors and curators, working across multiple departments on list and mail management, design of invitations and auxiliary materials, budget planning, security and operations logistics, and all other event details.
• Manage special event staff members and supervise staff responsible for all aspects of special event fundraising.
• Work collaboratively with event fundraising chairs and volunteers to raise maximum revenues and to deepen relationships for the Museum.
• Work effectively with a wide range of staff members throughout the Museum; with the Museum's food service vendor, with League volunteers; and with trustees, major donors, and volunteer fundraising event committee chairs
• Coordinate with food vendor on food/beverage/rentals/decor/service, accurately and timely purchase orders and payment of invoices, producing a final cost/benefit analysis.
• Prepare pre- and post-event analysis, assessing opportunities and making recommendations for implementing appropriate improvements.
• Provide leadership and direction in performance of the details of event production, with emphasis on high standards for customer relations, attention to detail, protocol, and etiquette.
• Ensure the appropriate tone, schedules, and appearance of all events-related invitations, programs, and correspondence.
• Negotiate event plans, dates, and guest lists with the Museum Director, curators, and program staff and determine format, theme, and budget for each event.
• Coordinate event briefings involving food vendor, security and operations and program staff to assure effective communications and establish chain of command for last-minute challenges.

Requirements

Education and Experience:

· Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.

· 5 years progressively responsible experience in special event fundraising and in supervisory or management positions.

· Prior experience in a non-profit arts or cultural organization preferred.

· Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite and Raisers Edge software.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

· Proven project (event) management experience working on multiple complex projects in a fast-paced environment.

· A proven ability to help raise significant gifts through special events in support of an institution, and to bring creative and effective strategies to the fundraising process.

· Ability to work effectively with board members and volunteers, providing them with strong support and inspiring them to productive action.

· Collaboration skills to build effective partnerships with the Chief Development Officer, Deputy Director, Director, trustees, senior staff, and other stakeholders.

· A motivated self-starter with a drive and creative disposition to generate new ideas and strategies that help to build a dynamic, compelling special event fundraising program.

· Superior communications skills that will enable effective communication.

· Highly energetic individual with excellent attention to detail and follow-through and the ability to work under pressure, meet deadlines, achieve goals, prioritize tasks, manage multiple tasks and work within a budget.

· Effective time management skills and volunteer management and supervisory experience.

Our Core Values

Act with Integrity:?We are honest and ethical.? 

Build Inclusivity:?We create spaces where everyone can feel like they belong.? 

Communicate Respectfully:?We listen intentionally and advocate for diverse perspectives.? 

Embrace and Drive Change:?We are innovative, creative, and solutions driven.? 

Foster Connections:?We collaborate around shared goals.? 

Maintain Balance:?We encourage ourselves and each other to reflect and recharge.? 

Remain Curious:?We pursue personal and professional learning.? 

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Policy 

The Dallas Museum of Art fosters equity, celebrates diversity, and supports inclusion. We acknowledge that diverse backgrounds and voices of visitors, volunteers, trustees, staff, and communities represented in the collection make us stronger and better equipped to make positive impacts locally, nationally, and internationally.?

Equity

Society’s historical legacies and systemic barriers have created disparities in the communities we serve. Knowing this, we strive to expand and enhance arts opportunities for all.? 

Diversity

Many factors—including but not limited to race, religion, creed, color, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, veteran status, disability, genetics, economic backgrounds, and experiences—make individuals and groups unique. Our goal is to ensure visitors, volunteers, trustees, staff, and collections reflect this diversity.?

Inclusion

We commit to listening to and learning from diverse voices and perspectives. We create a vibrant and accessible social space that encourages dialogue and the exchange of ideas through arts and culture.? 

EOE

The Dallas Museum of Art is committed to building a culturally diverse staff and is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The DMA provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.?