The Senior Director of Special Events is responsible for the management of the organization’s entire special event portfolio. Responsibilities for fundraising events include both revenue generation and all logistics, for internal employee events and external educational events the responsibility will be just logistical. The position is also responsible for our peer-to-peer program, as well as the management of the national virtual camp program, Camp Connections. The position directly manages and oversees all aspects of The Hope Affair and the New York Golf Tournament. The position supervises a team of four who are responsible for all fundraising events, the logistics for AKF internal events and our peer-to-peer program. This position will participate in the development and implementation of the department’s strategic plan, including alignment of teams’ goals; identification of key opportunities of engagement for leadership; and management of Development’s strategic initiatives.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
The Hope Affair: 

• Serve as key AKF liaison in the planning and execution of The Hope Affair: 
  • Lead event fundraising activities to meet or exceed revenue goals, including national and local solicitations (in collaboration with the Corporate Fundraising Team as appropriate), sponsor benefit fulfillment, post-event communications and other duties as assigned.
  • Oversee all event planning and administrative functions, including development of timeline and planning documents. Prepare internal briefings/updates on event milestones and goals and maintain up to date and accurate database of activity and sponsor detail.
  • Manage and coordinate vendors, event-day volunteers, and supervise event-day execution and follow up, ensuring all deliverables are met within established deadlines, and event is run on time throughout the night.
  • Manage event budget and ensure accurate invoicing and accounting throughout the event planning and execution process.
  • Oversee event registration and seating process and other logistical details, including coordination of travel for honorees and special guests. 
  • Coordinate with the Office of Communications and Marketing and other internal stakeholders on all event collateral, branding, website content and other program elements within established deadlines.
  • Serve as on-site event management lead and coordinator leading up to and during THA, executing all day-of logistics, staffing and volunteer plans
  • Maintain positive and professional demeanor during all interactions with attendees, honorees, staff and volunteers during event execution

The New York Golf Tournament

• Serve as key AKF liaison in the planning and execution of NY Golf: 
  • Lead event fundraising activities to meet or exceed revenue goals, solicitations, sponsor benefit fulfillment, post-event communications and other duties as assigned.
  • Work closely with Event Chair to manage event committee and secure new committee members
  • Work with Event Chair and Committee to secure one or two honorees each year, whose responsibility it is to raise funds for AKF
  • Oversee all event planning and administrative functions, including development of timeline and planning documents. Prepare internal briefings/updates on event milestones and goals and maintain up to date and accurate database of activity and sponsor detail.
  • Manage and coordinate vendors, event-day volunteers, and supervise event-day execution and follow up, ensuring all deliverables are met within established deadlines, and event is run on time.
  • Manage event budget and ensure accurate invoicing and accounting throughout the event planning and execution process.
  • Oversee event registration and golf tournament details
  • Coordinate with the Office of Communications and Marketing on all event collateral, branding, website content and other program elements within established deadlines.
  • Serve as on-site event management lead and coordinator leading up to and during the tournament, executing all day-of logistics, staffing and volunteer plans
  • Maintain positive and professional demeanor during all interactions with attendees, honorees, staff, and volunteers during event execution
• Responsible for other special events as they are developed in the future

Staff Leadership

• Oversee the Director of Community Engagement in the management of the peer-to-peer Program
• Oversee the Director, Associate Director, and Manager of Special Events in the fundraising and logistical management of Pairings for Prevention, David Atkins Fund Event, and the logistical management of internal education/patient events and AKF staff events. Also oversees staff management of Camp Connection.
• Serve as a partner to the Chief Development Officer in implementing fundraising initiatives and reaching fundraising goals.
  • Works with Chief Development Officer to provide leadership and coordination of resources for projects for the department.
  • Assists with the management and review of special events/ development budget on an annual basis
  • Assists in implementing and managing the strategic fundraising business plan that fits within the organizational strategic plan.
  • Encourages cross-functional collaboration, promotes a healthy and trusting work environment within the development office, and fosters a commitment to the goals of the entire team and of AKF.