Advancement and Special Events Manager

Company Overview:

YWCA Richmond is seeking a highly organized, results driven, creative person to engage target audiences on our Advancement team. The Advancement and Events Manager will plan and produce fundraising, business, and social events for YWCA Richmond. They will work on high-level projects with corporate sponsors, key leaders, and philanthropists who are working to advance our mission to empower women and eliminate racism. They will amplify women’s leadership initiatives and the stories of the YWCA through hands on event design, execution, and stewardship. This team member works directly on the event production, marketing, and fundraising efforts for YWCA Richmond. The Manager will also work with the Advancement Directors on foundation grant activity, including proposal writing, and monitoring and reporting requirements.

Role & Responsibilities:

Grants Management: (40%)

• Work closely with Advancement Directors to plan and execute strategies and activities to engage current and prospective grant administrators

• Work closely with YWCA Richmond program teams to ensure accurate and timely reporting of data

• Manage a shared calendar for grants

• Manage all foundation grant portals

• Manage contract grant writers

• Work with Executive Assistant to complete appropriate stewardship and acknowledgement

• Lead collaborative foundation grant process with YWCA program teams and external community partners

Events Management: (30%)

• Manage donor and sponsored women’s leadership events, including OWA, Leadership Forum Breakfast, and other YWCA events
• Drive sponsorship requests for YWCA Richmond
• Manage a shared calendar for events
• Represent organization publicly to strategically grow community of YWCA Richmond stakeholders, working with other Advancement and YWCA staff to coordinate meetings and events as needed
• Work with Advancement and Stewardship Manager to design, implement, and execute events annually
• Coordinate event budget
• Coordinate YWCA leaders’ roles and showcases their expertise throughout the event production process
• Create opportunities to increase the visibility of YWCA Richmond across the state through events and special initiatives as schedule and budget permit
• Coordinate with the Director of Operations on the approval process of events hosted at YWCA Richmond’s buildings
• Support the Advancement team to meet annual fundraising goals
• Manage event vendors to ensure and meet internal and external deadlines
• Integrate the stewardship investor experience and develop a marketing strategy for YW events

Stewardship, Marketing and Communications Support: (30%)

• Enter and maintain donor gifts, pledges and basic data into donor database
• Acknowledge gifts, pledges and pledge reminders in a timely manner
• Update donor records as requested
• Develop a stewardship plan for targeted audiences
• Engage in investment campaigns and work closely across departments to engage YWCA employees
• Work to maintain sponsor benefits, including activation and return on investment.

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s Degree from a four-year college or university in a related field or equivalent experience

• 3 years of experience in fundraising, events management, and customer relations

• Experience working for foundations or nonprofit organizations preferred

Required Skills:

• Excellent oral and written communication skills

• Ability to collaborate and meet deadlines

• Ability to develop and maintain networks and relationships

• Ability to work closely with YW teams to ensure accurate and timely reporting for fundraising and events.

• Ability to work with a diverse team to ensure compliance with all requirements and deliverables.

• Confidentiality and commitment to ethical & equitable fundraising standards

• Close attention to detail with strong organizational and project management skills

• Ability to track, meet, and maintain a variety of deadlines

• Ability to deploy event management software

• Ability to work independently and is self-motivated

• Other duties as assigned

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position. The incumbent is expected to perform other duties necessary for the effective operation of the department.

The YWCA Richmond provides equal employment opportunity to all individuals regardless of their race, color, creed, religion, gender, age, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by state, federal, or local law.