Director of Special Events

Overview

ABOUT PARK AVENUE ARMORY

Part American palace, part industrial shed, Park Avenue Armory is dedicated to supporting unconventional works in the visual and performing arts that need non-traditional spaces for their full realization, enabling artists to create, students to explore, and audiences to experience epic and adventurous presentations that cannot be mounted elsewhere in New York City. Park Avenue Armory provides opportunities for employees to enrich and develop their love of the arts while contributing their specific skills, expertise, and talents. www.armoryonpark.org

ABOUT THE POSITION

Working in conjunction with the Armory’s Chief Development Officer and the larger Development team, the Director of Special Events leads the fundraising, planning, design, and execution of high-end events for major donors, sponsors, and members of the Armory, most importantly the high-profile annual Gala that hosts up to 700 donors. This position is a full-time role, and primary responsibilities include strategic fundraising for 4-6 benefit events annually, designing, managing, and executing 50-70 events per year, project and deadline management, team management, and building strong relationships with Board members, donors, and other stakeholders.

The Director leads a small but entrepreneurial Special Events team, which manages and supports opening nights and events for member groups and artists, the annual Gala, Snowflake Lounge, and benefit dinners. This position oversees a Special Events Manager.

Due to the nature of this role and interaction with staff across the organization, this is a fully on-site role. Regular evening and some weekend work is required.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Design and oversee the Armory’s fundraising events that raise over $3 Million including an annual Gala, holiday family fundraiser, and production-specific benefit events; the Gala is a collaborative project involving the full organization and is led by the President.
• Manage a portfolio of cultivation and private events including the Armory’s membership groups: participating in conceiving the events, leading the logistics of these events, and overseeing the execution of them along with the additional Special Events staff.
• Coordinate all back-office administration items including contracts and agreements with vendors and those throwing the events (for private events).
• Manage invitation strategy and implementation for all major events, oversee and approve communication and marketing materials, and event follow-up to achieve desired outcomes.
• Along with the Development leadership, galvanize support for fundraising events by building special engagement with committee leadership, event leadership, and the committees themselves.
• Proactively use Tessitura (the fundraising CRM) to store fundraising and events data.
• Directly supervise at least one staff member, as well as contractors and vendors, to build a dynamic events team, including managing schedules, assigning projects and tasks, and ensuring work is completed in a professional and timely manner.
• Perform other responsibilities as needed and directed, including but not limited to working other events and programs and staffing the patrons table during performances.

SKILLS & QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function to a high professional standard. Ideal candidates will be organized, motivated, high-energy, hands-on self-starters who work well within a fast-paced environment.

• Knowledgeable advocate for the arts with exceptional planning and organizational skills. Results and detail-oriented with the ability to set and meet deadlines.
• Knowledge of fundraising cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies and techniques
• Ability to engage diplomatically with and engender the trust of donors, colleagues, and other stakeholders.
• Ability to move initiatives forward without all the answers upfront.
• Flexible and adaptable work style with the ability and willingness to work nights and weekends as necessary, manage competing demands, and work independently. 
• Demonstrated ability to take initiative, and proactively manage multiple priorities and projects with tight and changing deadlines.
• Outstanding interpersonal skills and excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Sound judgment, professionalism, and discretion in handling confidential information and sensitive matters.
• Strong proficiency in the Microsoft Office suite, including Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, as well as in internet research; Tessitura experience is a plus.
• This position requires on-site presence 5 days a week, plus weekends and evenings as necessary.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

• 8+ years’ experience in non-profit fundraising events for at least 500 guests, preferably in creative and dynamic settings, or the equivalent combination of education, training, and transferable experience to successfully perform essential functions of the job.
• A bachelor’s degree is desirable, but experience is the most important qualification.

COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION

Research shows that women and people from underrepresented groups often apply to jobs only if they meet 100% of the qualifications. We recognize that it is highly unlikely that someone meets 100% of the qualifications for a role. If much of this job posting describes you, then please apply for this role.

Park Avenue Armory provides equal opportunity to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, age, mental or physical disability, pregnancy, alienage or citizenship status, marital status or domestic partner status, genetic information, genetic predisposition or carrier status, gender identity, HIV status, military status and any other category protected by law in all employment decisions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, compensation, training and apprenticeship, promotion, upgrading, demotion, downgrading, transfer, lay-off and termination, and all other terms and conditions of employment.