Description

WHO WE ARE

We’re a team of park lovers, community builders and public space improvers. At the SF Parks Alliance, we work with more than 200 partner organizations, city agencies, and everyday citizens to ensure that our treasured city parks and green open spaces thrive in communities throughout San Francisco. As we expand to serve even more parks and people, we are seeking a Project Manager to join our team! If you’re creative, forward thinking, fun, enthusiastic, and interested in helping shape the future of parks in San Francisco, let’s talk.

ABOUT THE POSITION

The Development & Special Events Manager position provides comprehensive support and leadership to the External Affairs Team in the planning and execution of fundraising and marketing events. This position will coordinate key initiatives including the annual gala (Party for the Parks), multiple donor stewardship events, SFPA membership gatherings, and SFPA presence at community events. The position will also work closely with the Activation Team on large-scale community events including, but not limited to Sundown Cinema, Blue Greenway Day, and Due South. 

Primary responsibilities include event program content creation, coordination of event logistics, management of campaign committees, coordination of catering, entertainment, print materials, décor, in-kind solicitations, sponsorships, city permits, insurance requirements, database management, and providing support as needed for the SFPA Leadership Team solicitation for events-based fundraising and sponsorship. 

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Party for the Parks Annual Gala

• Serve as the main point of contact for the contracted event planner, ensuring that all contracts are signed, budgets are adhered to, vendors are paid, and deadlines are met
• Locate new venue in coordination with the event planner and Development Team
• Lead re-creation of the auction including securing donations, developing messaging, and sourcing systems 
• Lead all party-related mailings (i.e. the save the date, invitations) by managing external designers, printers, and mailhouse partners
• Manage the Party's budget, making sure that all payments are made on time and within the defined budget - ensuring that the organization meets, and ideally exceeds all fundraising goals for the event
• Cultivate and lead the Gala Event Committee and Co-Chairs, including scheduling and logistics for all co-chair and committee meetings, training, and communications
• Work closely with the Associate Director of Development to ensure that all party-related financials are logged and analyzed seamlessly
• Coordinate fundraising tasks with senior development staff and board
• Work closely with the development operations team to coordinate online ticketing, registration, and raise-the-paddle auction operations for the event
• Manage internal staffing needs/responsibilities and the run of show for the event day
• Manage Reports related to fundraising, expenses, and event metrics.

Cultivation Events

• Working with the Associate Director of Development, Create and execute a year-long calendar and budget for membership events
• Working with the Associate Director of Development, and the Activations team, lead the development team's presence at SFPA free public events (Sundown Cinema, Due South, Markets, Etc.)
• Working with development leadership, design and execute compelling small to mid-sized events for high-level donors
• Manage invitations and RSVP lists
• Manage all communications with vendors, staff, and guests
• Manage vendors, catering, designers, and other service providers for the events
• Act as point of contact for outside events when SFPA is invited to host a table
• Work with Marketing Team to develop interactive programming at outside events
• Secure SFPA Staffing or Volunteers for events

General Fundraising

• Support the general needs of the development team as needed
• Cultivate a list of in-kind, corporate , and individual donors
• Participate as needed in development pipeline meetings and board meeting

Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS

• Ability and willingness to work evening and weekend hours
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience required
• Minimum of three years experience in non-profit special event management Previous experience working with volunteers and interacting with donors 
• Knowledge of local San Francisco philanthropic community strongly preferred
• Have a passion for special events, provide outstanding customer service, be an enthusiastic professional, and be able to build relationships with internal and external customers
• An interest in parks, playgrounds and the outdoors and a strong sense of humor
• Accuracy in all areas of work and keen attention to detail a must
• Proven track record of successful event production
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail; ability to prioritize and handle multiple projects simultaneously and to work calmly under pressure of deadlines
• Must be resourceful and a self-starter
• Experience with contract negotiations, budget creation and management
• Ability to interact comfortably, tactfully, diplomatically, and effectively with varied internal and external constituencies. Must display a high level of professionalism and ability to understand, develop, and sustain resilient and dynamic relationships with volunteers, donors, colleagues, and senior management
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills
• Proficiency with Google Suite, Word, Excel, Adobe Acrobat Pro
• Knowledge and proficiency of Salesforce, Classy, or similar CRM database preferred 
• Ability to lift 40lbs, ability to climb a flight of stairs (not concurrently)

Position Specifications

Title: Development/Special Events Manager

Reports to: Development Director

Department: Development

Location: Duties will be carried out at various citywide sites, at the SFPA Co-Lab space and is authorized for remote work at an appropriate home workspace. Co-Lab is located at 1074 Folsom Ave. SFPA supports remote work by providing employees with a laptop, cloud-based systems, and frequent team connection.

Preferred Start Date: As soon as we find the right candidate

Schedule: Full-time, exempt (ineligible for overtime), eligible for 4 day work week, Monday -Thursday, 8 hrs./day ranging between 7:00am to 6:00pm. Your work schedule may need to be adjusted occasionally to accommodate temporary heavy workloads or events, which could include Fridays, weekends, and evenings. Salary employees are still required to complete their assigned work.

What'll you'll receive:

SF Parks Alliance offers a competitive salary commensurate with experience and skills in the range of $76,000 to $86,700 annualized salary, and a comprehensive benefits package that includes a generous vacation policy, medical, dental, vision, chiropractic/acupuncture, commuter benefits, a flexible spending account, Basic Life/AD&D insurance, and an employer 401(k) match program. SFPA encourages candidates of diverse backgrounds and life experiences to apply.