National Director of Events & Programming Strategy

About Us

Simon Wiesenthal Center (SWC) is a global Jewish human rights organization that confronts antisemitism and hate, defends the safety of Israel and Jews worldwide, and teaches the lessons of the Holocaust through awareness, advocacy, justice, education, and its Museums of Tolerance. With a constituency of over 400,000 member families since its founding in 1977, the SWC has an international footprint through its Museums of Tolerance, Moriah Films, and the Digital Terrorism Hate Project.

Headquartered in Los Angeles, it maintains operations in New York, Chicago, Miami, Toronto, Paris, Berlin, Jerusalem, and Buenos Aires. It is an accredited Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) at the United Nations, UNESCO, the Organization of American States, the Latin American Parliament, and the Council of Europe and maintains relationships with the highest levels of governments throughout the world.

In 1993, the Center opened the Museum of Tolerance in Los Angeles to worldwide acclaim. The Museum has served as the Center’s flagship educational arm, challenging visitors to confront bigotry and racism, and to understand the Holocaust in both historical and contemporary contexts. In addition, the Center developed Moriah Media to produce theatrical documentaries to educate global audiences. Moriah has produced 17 documentaries to date, two of which have received the Academy Award for best feature documentary, The Long Way Home and Genocide.

Position Overview

The Simon Wiesenthal Center (SWC) and its flagship institution, the Museum of Tolerance (MOT), seek a senior leader to serve as National Director of Events & Programming Strategy. This position is responsible for building and leading a national portfolio of events and initiatives that advance the organization’s mission while generating meaningful revenue. This role goes beyond traditional event production. The National Director will be responsible for strategy, business development, partnership cultivation, and execution, operating as a leader of a high-impact, revenue-generating function.

The position requires a professional who can translate mission into experience—developing and delivering programs that engage diverse audiences, elevate institutional visibility, and support long-term growth.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Planning & Leadership

• Develop and implement a strategic business plan to create comprehensive national events programming designed to further the mission of SWC and the programs of SWC Action, our Museums of Tolerance and Moriah Media
• Oversee the division as a revenue-generating business unit within the organization
• Identify opportunities and integrate initiatives to expand audience reach, increase visibility, and drive engagement
• Establish partnerships with organizations, influencers, talent, and corporations to leverage their marketing resources, supplement funding, and market to a new audience with new programming.
• Seek ways to create programming that can be bundled as national tours to leverage SWC field operations.
  
  

Revenue Generation & Fundraising Events

Drive the strategy and execution of national and international fundraising events, including:

• SWC Humanitarian Award Honoree Dinners throughout the country
• Mission-driven travel programs and delegations
• Key institutional milestone events (e.g., 50th Anniversary, MOT Re-Envisioning, Antisemitism Exhibit opening, Moriah Media Film premiers, convenings, award and recognition ceremonies, national speaker and performance tours, touring visits, and corporate events)
  
  

Collaborate Closely With Development To

• Identify and engage honorees and establishing long term relationships
• Secure sponsorships and expand funding opportunities by identifying and reaching out to a new audience who have not often, or ever, attended SWC/ MOT events.
• Integrate initiatives to enhance donor engagement, stewardship, and long-term retention with unique opportunities to attend events and special private gatherings
• Explore the viability and develop a business plan for convenings at the MOT and regional offices.
• Create opportunities for high-end missions at various locations around the world to foster and support major donor development and engagement.
  
  

Event Production & Execution

• Lead the production and oversee all aspects of large-scale, high-profile events with complex logistics
• Manage major six figure event budgets and oversee vendor partnerships, including six-figure contracts
• Deliver exceptional, high-quality experiences with a strong focus on VIP engagement, and new donor development.
• Lead and support event staff while coordinating cross-functional teams to ensure seamless delivery
• Work closely with talent, honorees and high-profile politicians, philanthropists and corporate leaders in a professional, discrete way that engenders trust and allows for the continuation of long-term relationships.
  
  

Partnership Development & External Engagement

Serve as a primary ambassador for SWC/MOT, building and nurturing relationships across a wide range of sectors, including:

• Entertainment and media
• Corporate partners (finance, legal, and business communities)
• Academic, cultural, and community organizations
  
  

Identify And Drive Opportunities For

• Film and television related events and programming
• Strategic industry partnerships and collaborative convenings
• Co-developed initiatives that align with the organization’s mission and audience engagement objectives
• Enhance and expand SWC/MOT’s role as a premier platform for meaningful cultural and civic engagement.
  
  

Program Development & Mission Alignment

• Develop forward-thinking initiatives that connect SWC/MOT’s core focus areas—antisemitism, human rights, and civic responsibility—to timely issues and evolving audience interests
• Ensure all events and programs consistently reflect the organization’s values, historical integrity, and educational mission
• Strategically balance mission alignment with audience engagement and revenue objectives
• Ability to move quickly to be opportunistic and act creatively to take advantage of potential opportunities that require decisive leadership and an entrepreneurial capability
  
  

Organizational Collaboration

• Work closely with the CEO to determine and execute on key event and programming priorities
• Work closely with the CDO and the Development team to ensure event strategies are aligned with fundraising priorities and goals
• Work in partnership with CFO and finance leadership on operational and fiscal elements of all programs in development and production including post event financial performance finalization.
• Work cross-functionally with advocacy, education, MOT, communications and regional office teams to support national programs and their local programs.
• Help design and implement systems and processes that enhance event planning, efficiency, transparency, and program duplication
  
  

Qualifications

Qualifications Required

• 10 years of experience in event leadership, strategic programming, business development, or related fields
• Proven track record of leading large-scale events and managing complex, high-value budgets
• Demonstrated ability to drive revenue through events, partnerships, and strategic initiatives
• Strong experience cultivating and maintaining senior-level relationships across sectors
• Exceptional organizational, communication, and leadership capabilities
• Self-directed with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, dynamic environment
• Experience in dealing with talent, high profile leaders, CEOs and other leaders
  
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience within cultural institutions, museums, or nonprofit organizations
• Background in the entertainment industry, including film and television-related events
• Experience in hospitality or large-scale conference and event production
• Familiarity with fundraising events and donor engagement strategies
  
  

Core Competencies

• Strategic mindset with the ability to translate vision into execution
• Business development acumen with a focus on revenue growth
• Strong relationship-building and cross-functional collaboration skills
• Expertise in event production and operational management
• Demonstrates sound judgment, discretion, and professionalism
• Skilled at navigating complexity and balancing competing priorities
  
  

Role Expectations

• Proactively identify opportunities and take initiative to drive them forward
• Lead and manage initiatives with a high degree of autonomy and accountability
• Demonstrate professionalism and discretion, particularly in high-profile environments
• Operate effectively and deliver results without reliance on extensive internal support
• Ensure all efforts are aligned with the mission and standards of SWC/MOT
  
  

Position Impact

This role is instrumental in advancing the growth and long-term sustainability of the Simon Wiesenthal Center and Museum of Tolerance. The National Director will play a key role in:

• Driving increased revenue and funding opportunities
• Expanding national and international visibility and influence
• Strengthening audience engagement and strategic partnerships
• Delivering impactful programs that further the organization’s mission and public reac
  
  

Our Benefits

We value our people and offer a collaborative and engaging culture. As a SWC employee, you will enjoy work/life balance, generous time off and comprehensive benefits and programs. The Simon Wiesenthal Center embraces inclusivity and values our diverse community. We are committed to building a team based on qualifications, merit, and business need. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.