What are the responsibilities and job description for the Director, Development Events position at Boston Symphony Orchestra?
ABOUT THE BSO
Founded in 1881, the Boston Symphony Orchestra (BSO) is one of the premier orchestras in the world. The BSO is committed to bringing world class music and performances to the local and international communities. The key to our success has been our employees, from the musicians onstage to those behind the scenes.
ABOUT THE ROLE
The Director of Development Events serves as the lead project manager for event operations, ensuring seamless planning, logistics, and execution of the Boston Symphony Orchestra’s development events. While the Senior Director oversees fundraising strategy and vision, this position provides the operational backbone to deliver world-class events that support those objectives.
This role manages two Assistant Directors and leads coordination across departments including Operations, Facilities, Development Operations, Marketing, and IT. The Director ensures accountability, cross-functional alignment, and timely execution of all internal and vendor deliverables. This role requires a highly organized, detail-oriented leader with a collaborative mindset and commitment to excellence.
Key Responsibilities
Cross-Departmental Project Leadership
• Act as the primary project manager across Development Operations, Facilities,
Marketing, IT, and internal stakeholders.
• Drive cross-departmental accountability, ensure adherence to timelines, and
deliver high-quality execution of all event-related operations.
• Maintain proactive communication and transparency across functions to prevent silos and reduce friction in planning.
Planning & Operations
• Serve as the central project manager overseeing all operational aspects of
development events.
• Manage venue logistics, contracts, permitting, insurance, and equipment rentals.
• Develop and monitor production timelines, project trackers, and deliverables
across departments.
• Ensure compliance with health, safety, accessibility, and regulatory requirements.
• Implement contingency planning and risk mitigation strategies.
Strategic Event Support
• Serve as a thought partner to the Senior Director of Special Events in the strategic planning of key events, including:
- 4 annual fundraising galas
- 3 family-oriented donor engagement events
• Translate high-level strategies into clear operational plans, ensuring strong
executional support.
Team Leadership
• Supervise two Assistant Directors and manage event staff and volunteers.
• Delegate responsibilities and oversee staffing plans for all event phases.
• Conduct pre-event briefings and provide mentorship and performance guidance.
Donor Experience
• Ensure the donor experience is elevated through operational excellence, guest
services, and consistent, high-quality event touchpoints.
• Coordinate closely with frontline fundraisers to align logistics with donor needs and stewardship objectives.
Vendor & Creative Partner Collaboration
• Serve as the internal lead for all vendor relationships, including venues, caterers, designers, production teams, and rental providers.
• Communicate deliverables clearly and maintain a respectful, solutions-oriented relationship with external collaborators.
• Ensure all creative and operational outputs reflect BSO standards and timelines.
Budgeting & Evaluation
• Manage event budgets with transparency and accuracy.
• Maintain thorough documentation and reporting for performance analysis and
process improvement.
• Lead post-event debriefs with internal teams to evaluate outcomes and integrate feedback.
Required Education and Experience
• 7 years of progressive experience in large-scale event production, fundraising
operations, or project management.
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams and manage high-stakes deadlines.
• Exceptional organizational and communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to collaborate across personalities and
functions.
• Commitment to donor service and excellence in execution.
• Proficiency with project management platforms, event systems, and CRMs.
The BSO is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
