Development Manager, Leadership Events

WHO WE ARE:

The National Multiple Sclerosis Society mobilizes people and resources to drive research for a cure and to address the challenges of everyone affected by MS. To fulfill this mission, the Society funds cutting-edge research, drives change through advocacy, facilitates professional education, collaborates with MS organizations around the world, and provides programs and services designed to help people with MS and their families move their lives forward. We partner with volunteers to accomplish our work. Staff members engage volunteers through effective and timely communications, facilitating meaningful opportunities, and continually seeking and providing feedback for reciprocal growth and learning.

Essential Functions / Responsibility

Generates Leadership Events revenue while providing leadership, accountability and direction with high level volunteers, donors and sponsors for assigned events

• Develop campaign plans, fundraising goals and objectives that support Society strategies; manage the implementation of fundraising plans ensuring that adequate resources are provided to successfully accomplish goals and objectives.
• Lead the acquisition of new donors and corporate supporters, along with drive retention strategies to ensure campaign achievement.
• Provide guidance and leadership to a volunteer fundraising committee, partnering closely with Event Chairs for each event.
• Manage the budget for assigned Leadership Events ensuring that revenue and expenses are effectively managed and adjusted throughout the fiscal year as indicated or needed; provide progress reports and revenue/expense projections to the Sr. Director, Leadership Events.
• Utilize fundraising reports, market research, industry and competitive data to analyze and develop future direction to increase fundraising.
• Ensure high-end customer service for the Society's contributors with timely acknowledgments and year-round stewardship.
• Engage with staff and volunteers to keep local strategies and initiatives aligned with organizational priorities and to develop personal and team strengths and leverage continuous learning opportunities.
• Collaborate with other development staff members, including the Individual/Major Giving teams to ensure a unified approach to major donors who are also event participants or corporate sponsors.
• In collaboration with the market leadership team, individual giving/major gift team, corporate team, assign and cultivate relationships with donors, sponsors and vendors.
• Enter donor records and facilitate donor recognition.
• Support assigned events nationally to support revenue growth and experience
• Other duties may be assigned as needed to support event operations

Creates a memorable event experience for attendees while adhering to Society policies

• Monitor, adhere to, and update event timelines for all events; adhere to deadlines and communicate progress, identifying potential roadblocks or challenges
• Reserve and secure venues, permits and insurance for assigned events by predetermined deadlines, establishing, and maintaining positive relationships with venue and vendors; identify and recommend new venues as necessary.
• Procurement of auction items and other in-kind donations to support events.
• Schedule and facilitate event meetings with appropriate staff (pre, post, on-event)
• Determine and communicate event staff assignments in conjunction with development team partners
• Implement proper mechanisms are in place to appropriately receive and account for donations and expenses.
• Follow event procurement process including purchase orders and contracts, payment processing, ensuring accurate record keeping and follow finance policies and procedures
• Track expenses and adhere to approved budgets for all events; maintain a focus on cost saving measures
• Complete all post-event financials (final invoice payments, etc.), thank you communications to vendors/partners, tracking supply/product usage and noting opportunities for following year
• Support assigned events nationally to support a positive event experience

Facilitates Volunteer Engagement for fundraising and event experience in the assigned events

• Engage volunteers through meaningful and impactful work that is well defined and structured by employing strategies, tools and resources in their local market. Identify, develop and grow volunteer capacity (skills and talents) to achieve measurable and sustainable results while removing obstacles.
• Ensure volunteer behaviors are aligned with Society Operating Principles; provide timely feedback and coaching to improve performance and behaviors.
• Identify high-level volunteers to function in a Chair, Co-Chair and/or Honorary Chair capacity to drive new business growth in each assigned event.
• Ensure that volunteers are fueling the success and expanding the capacity by coaching to and assisting staff with building action-oriented volunteer leadership committees for fundraising (acquisition of sponsors and individual donors) and event experience (the quality of the experience a company and/or individual has from the time they commit through completion of the event) that will be led by the market Leadership Events staff.

Role Qualifications

• Minimum of 3+ years of progressive development and campaign/event experience
• Experience building and leading executive level fundraising committees
• Results driven style and proven track record of sales/fundraising success
• Proven success building sustainable corporate relationships/sponsorships at $10,000+
• Thorough understanding and experience with corporate and individual giving
• Experience in preparing and managing significant operating budgets
• Self-starter, motivated individual who can deliver on goals independently
• Ability to quickly build credibility within and outside of the organization and make an immediate contribution to accomplishing key priorities
• Demonstrated success in building a productive, cohesive team of staff and volunteer leaders
• Creative and energetic individual who functions well within a fast-paced, team environment, which includes cross-department collaboration
• Ability to work well with volunteers, staff and a variety of constituents is essential
• Outstanding customer experience and services abilities
• Superb verbal, written and communication skills, diplomacy, and discretion
• Ability to manage and motivate groups, both internally and externally
• Excellent negotiation skills

Technical Competencies

• Advanced computer abilities (MS Outlook, Word, Power Point, Excel, on-line fundraising tools, databases).
• Must be able to travel to the St. Louis, MO; Minneapolis, MN; or Kansas City, MO region approximately twice per calendar year.
• Ability to work selected nights and weekends, especially the month leading up to the events

The Society has a career framework that is our foundation of a clear, consistent structure for growth and careers. It is comprised of career bands and career levels, as well as functions and disciplines, that together, capture the Society's positions and work.

The National MS Society is committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce. We strive to create a workforce that reflects the communities we serve and where everyone feels empowered to bring their authentic selves to work. We need you and your unique talents and perspectives to help us write the last chapter on MS.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:

We appreciate your consideration of our job opportunities and strive to make it as effortless as possible to apply for our positions. With only a few required sections and the option to use our resume parsing tool, we aim to streamline the application experience, saving you time and effort. Additionally, if you wish to include a cover letter with your application, please feel free to attach it along with your resume, and any other documents required, to the Resume/CV document upload section at the bottom of the My Experience page. We appreciate your interest in joining our team and look forward to receiving your application!

Important: Please check the job posting to see if a Cover Letter or any other documents are required for the position you are applying to. You will not be able to modify your application after you submit it. The My Experience page is the only opportunity to add your cover letter and supporting document attachments. If you experience any trouble submitting your materials, please check out our FAQ & Contact Us page.