Development Director, Leadership Events

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.

The Director, Leadership Events is responsible for ensuring the assigned revenue portfolio reaches budgeted revenue for assigned events, which may include luncheons, dinners, galas, or other special events as assigned. The Director will work closely with volunteer leadership and support both the retention and acquisition of donors and corporate supporters. This position will support other leadership events in market or across the team, as needed to drive forward strong revenue outcomes and event experiences.

The position also manages staff members leading as well as assisting with these and other events. This position oversees fundraising in multiple markets in the assigned event revenue portfolio often providing leadership and direction from a distance, engaging market leaders, local staff, key volunteers and board members to reach revenue goals.

The Director, Leadership Events will manage a portfolio of 2 events totaling $600,000, and will manage 1 staff member with 3 events totaling $655,000.

**The Director, Leadership Events will have the optional ability to work from home, and must be based in Chicago, IL or surrounding area to lead events in assigned portfolio.

Essential Function/Responsibility

Generates Leadership Events revenue while providing leadership, accountability and direction with high level volunteers, donors and sponsors throughout the assigned event revenue portfolio (70%)

• 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.
• Other duties may be assigned as needed to support event operations

Creates a memorable event experience for attendees while adhering to Society policies throughout the assigned event portfolio (10%)

• 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

Facilitates Volunteer Engagement for fundraising and event experience in the assigned event revenue portfolio (10%)

• Engage volunteers through meaningful and impactful work that is well defined and structured by employing the 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.
• Engage and secure high level volunteers to function in a Chair, Co-Chair and/or Honorary Chair capacity to drive new business growth in each assigned event.
• In conjunction with the Chair recruit and manage a revenue generating committee focused on reaching revenue goal for 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.

Staff Supervision (10%)

• Responsible for the hiring, onboarding, and continued development of direct reports
• Conduct regular check-ins to monitor progress, provide feedback, and offer guidance and support where needed to ensure staff is fully supported in their role
• Ensures staff have the tools, knowledge, and resources necessary to perform job duties effectively as well as opportunities for professional development
• Coach and collaborate on goal-setting and professional development plans and conduct formal and informal performance conversations
• Hold staff accountable to the cultural values of the organization and ensure they follow Society operating principles