Development Events Manager

Position Title:     Development Events Manager
Department:        Development
Position Type:     Full-Time
Work Year:          12 months
FLSA Status:       Exempt
Reports To:          Elizabeth Myers, Director of Giving and Alumni

Position Summary:
This authentic relationship-based role is responsible for leading the planning, promotion, and execution of fundraising events (primary) and alumni engagement initiatives (secondary) that drive giving revenue, increase donor participation, and strengthen community relationships.

This position also supports broader development strategy by contributing to donor engagement efforts, sponsorship development, and event-based fundraising initiatives, creating a pathway for increased responsibility in Annual Fund leadership over time.

Spiritual:
•    Seek to role model in attitude, speech, and action a consistent daily walk with Jesus Christ.
•    Motivate others to accept God’s gift of salvation and grow in their faith.
•    Follow the Matthew 18 principle in dealing with students, parents, staff, and administration.
•    Lead others to a realization of their worth in Christ and cultivate their growth in Christ-like character.
•    Subscribe to and promote the statement of faith.
•    All staff are ministers of Christ.

Scope:
This position works closely with the Director of Giving and Alumni, Director of Development, and key internal and external stakeholders. This role requires strong relationship-building skills, strategic execution, and ownership of event performance and sponsorship revenue. The ideal candidate will demonstrate sound discernment with the ability to treat sensitive, personal information with confidentiality and be coachable, with a willingness to receive feedback and continuously improve.

This role is accountable for the successful execution and revenue performance of all assigned events and contributes to broader Annual Fund engagement strategies.

This role is designed to develop skills in event-based fundraising, donor engagement, and Annual Fund strategy, with the potential to grow into an Annual Fund Manager or Assistant Director of Giving role.

Position Responsibilities

Event Strategy & Execution
•    Lead planning and execution of all major fundraising events, including Gala, auctions, and alumni events 
•    Develop and manage event timelines, logistics, vendors, budgets, and on-site execution 
•    Ensure events are mission-aligned, well-attended, and financially successful 
•    Drive internal event planning processes and coordination across teams 
•    Evaluate event performance and implement strategic improvements year over year 

Sponsorship & Revenue Development
•    Own and drive sponsorship revenue, including identification, cultivation, solicitation, and retention of event sponsors 
•    Build and manage relationships with sponsors and key community partners 
•    Support cultivation and ongoing engagement of sponsors as part of broader donor relationship strategy 
•    Partner with the Director of Giving and Alumni to align sponsorship strategy with broader donor engagement goals 
•    Track and report on sponsorship performance and growth 

Event Promotion & Communications
•    Collaborate with Marketing & Communications to develop and execute event promotion strategies (email, social media, print, etc.) 
•    Ensure consistent messaging and branding across all event communications 
•    Support campaigns that increase attendance, engagement, and donor participation 

Alumni Engagement
•    Lead planning and execution of alumni events and initiatives 
•    Partner with the Alumni Association Committee (AAC) to strengthen alumni involvement 
•    Support growth of alumni participation and long-term engagement 
•    Assist in developing alumni giving and engagement opportunities 

Event Follow-Up & Donor Engagement
•    Coordinate post-event follow-up, including sponsor communication and attendee engagement 
•    Partner with the Development Coordinator to ensure timely and meaningful donor acknowledgment 
•    Track event participation and identify opportunities for deeper donor engagement 
•    Provide insights to inform donor pipeline development and future cultivation strategies 

Support Fundraising Partnerships at CCS
•    Support Athletics and Fine Arts fundraising initiatives through event planning, promotion, and execution as needed 
•    Ensure consistency in event quality, branding, and donor experience across all school-affiliated events 

Success Indicators
•    Growth in event attendance and overall engagement 
•    Increased sponsorship revenue and retention 
•    Successful execution of high-quality, mission-aligned events 
•    Increased alumni participation and involvement 
•    Positive donor experience and event satisfaction 
•    Contribution to Annual Fund growth through event-based engagement 
•    Increased conversion of event participants and sponsors into ongoing donors
•    Consistently fosters a spirit of optimism and maintains a positive, solutions-oriented attitude 
 

Qualifications
•    A Christian who is a member of good standing in a Bible believing church.
•    Bachelor’s degree (preferred) 
•    3–5 years of experience in event management, fundraising, and/or development 
•    Experience managing fundraising events and sponsorship cultivation preferred 
•    Strong project management and organizational skills 
•    Excellent communication and relationship-building skills 
•    Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment 
•    Passion for the mission and vision of Cambridge Christian School