Director of Events and Donor Recognition

Director of Events and Donor Recognition

The Resource Development department has an exciting opportunity for a Director of Events and Donor Recognition for an experienced and creative professional who thrives in strategic planning, leadership, and event management.

The Director of Events & Donor Recognition is a key member of the Fundraising Operations team in the Resource Development Department, working closely with multiple departments to plan and execute high-profile events and recognition programs. This role involves comprehensive strategy development, team leadership, and a commitment to creating innovative and impactful experiences for participants and donors.

Thinking about applying?

Frequently cited statistics show that historical biases in hiring lead to fewer applications from underrepresented groups due to a false perception that they must meet 100% of the qualifications.

We encourage you to break those statistics and apply if you meet a majority of the requirements.

We look forward to your application.

What will you do as the Director of Events & Donor Recognition?

1. Strategic Planning, Team Leadership and Management, and Creative Innovation

• Develop and implement comprehensive annual and multi-year event strategies and plans that balance organizational goals with innovative ideas to inspire and engage existing and new funders.
• Provide leadership and oversight for the event and donor recognition team, encouraging a culture of creativity and collaboration
• Event planning and execution: Leverage storytelling, immersive design, and technology to create unique and memorable events.
• Generate fresh themes, formats, and interactive elements, engaging speakers, or cultural relevanceiences.
• Foster cross departmental collaboration to integrate diverse perspectives, maximize impact, and align events with broader organizational priorities.
• Oversee event budgets with a strategic mindset, ensuring resources are allocated effectively to maximize impact while staying cost-efficient.

2. Event Management and Production

• Lead and oversee the design, strategy, and management of the event planning process, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and delivering high-impact experiences.
• Provide guidance and direction to the donor recognition and event managers responsible for detailed planning and execution, ensuring all elements are cohesive, professional, and engaging.
• Supervise program design, script/content creation, and speaker preparation, ensuring all components align with the event’s goals and audience expectations.
• Foster partnerships and coordinate with lay leaders and fundraisers (SDOs), ensuring their roles enhance the event's success and build meaningful engagement.
• Oversee the overall management of event timelines, project plans, and budgets, providing strategic oversight and ensuring deadlines and financial goals are met.
• Provide strategic input on event promotion, marketing materials, and video production to ensure consistency with the organization's branding and messaging.
• Supervise the management of back-end systems, including pulling invitation lists, setting up registration systems, and ensuring all operational details are seamless.
• Lead oversight for on-site coordination to ensure smooth execution and participate in post-event evaluations to identify areas for improvement.

3. Donor Recognition and High-Profile Events

• Oversee the planning and execution of key donor recognition and high-profile events, including, but limited to:
• Virtual events
• Annual Donor Recognition Society events (3x/year)
• Ambassadors’ events (3x/year)
• Global briefings
• Local in person community events and other prominent gatherings

4. Vendor and Resource Management

• Proactively manage vendor procurement and maintain strong relationships to secure quality services.
• Oversee event-related materials inventory, ensuring timely updates and availability.

5. Donor Recognition and Stewardship

• Lead efforts to acknowledge and celebrate major donors.
• Representing RD in the Annual Report process by compiling donor listings, sourcing photos, and highlighting stories.
• Develop donor engagement strategies, including new acknowledgment processes and mailed touchpoints for mid-level donors.
• Annual donor recognition programs (notification, induction, celebration, tracking, and reporting).
• Maintenance and development of recognition displays (e.g., New Jerusalem Wohl Wall and future projects).

What qualifications are required to be our Director of Events & Donor Recognition?

• Database knowledge, such as NXT – preferred.
• Previous experience with project management and project management systems.
• Event management and program development expertise.
• Strong organizational and multi-tasking skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• A commitment to creativity and innovation in event planning.
• Previous experience in the non-profit world – strong advantage
• Deep understanding of the Jewish philanthropic community – strong advantage

Additional Details

• Employment Type: Full-Time
• Location: New York, NY (Hybrid model)
• Reports to: Director of Fundraising Operations
• Start Date: Immediate

What are the compensation and benefits for this role? This is a full-time position paid semi-monthly at a salary of $100,000 - $120,000 per year. In determining where a candidate falls in that range, JDC considers skills, experience, internal equity, and cost of living in the location of work. This role is exempt per the FLSA.

We offer an excellent benefits package, including but not limited to:

• 100% paid medical and dental insurance for employee coverage.
• Paid time off, including 20 vacation days, 20 sick days, 3 personal days, 10 national holidays, and up to 14 Jewish holidays annually.
• 12 weeks of paid parental leave for eligible staff.
• 403(b) retirement plan with JDC contributions of 6.5% of salary.
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA), commuter benefits, and life insurance.
• Professional development opportunities through workshops and trainings.
• Office perks for hybrid employees, including Bagel Thursdays and beverages/snacks.

Why work at JDC?

• The People: Work with others who share a passion for making a positive difference.
• A Global Environment: Develop a global perspective, collaborating with staff worldwide.
• Tikkun Olam: Contribute to the Jewish value of “repairing the world.”

Equal Employment Opportunity JDC is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to treating people with compassion and respect. All qualified applications will be considered for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic as established by law.

Apply Now! Submit your resume here.

Application Deadline: January 31, 2025

Expected Start Date: ASAP

About JDC JDC, the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee, is the leading Jewish humanitarian organization, working in 70 countries to lift lives and strengthen communities. For over 100 years, JDC has put the timeless Jewish value of mutual responsibility into action, making a positive impact on millions of people worldwide.