Director of Special Events

Description

 Title: Director of Special Events

Department: Development

Center Background: The Center for Reproductive Rights is a global human rights organization working to ensure that reproductive rights are protected in law as fundamental human rights worldwide. With offices in New York City, and Washington, D.C.; Nairobi, Kenya; Bogota, Colombia; and Geneva, Switzerland, the Center is a non-profit, non-partisan organization changing law and policy throughout Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, and the United States. Our 230+ diverse professionals are committed to advancing the Center’s human rights mission through game-changing litigation, legal policy, and advocacy work. This has fueled the Center’s exceptional growth to an operating budget of more than $50 million and won the respect of law firms worldwide. Our global pro bono network includes over 2,100 lawyers across 6 continents, 88 countries, and 125 law firms, contributing over $30 million USD in pro bono legal services annually. The Center’s Strategic Plan sets a high mark for impact: By 2030, half of the world’s population will be living under stronger protections for reproductive rights than they were in 2020. The Center has a record of success to back up this ambitious goal. Since our founding in 1992, the Center has transformed how reproductive rights are understood and applied by courts, governments, and human rights bodies worldwide on issues including maternal health, abortion, assisted reproduction, and adolescent sexual and reproductive health and rights. We have won groundbreaking cases before national courts, U.N. Committees, and regional human rights bodies. The Center has also led development of historic, proactive legislation advancing robust protections for reproductive rights. It has built the legal capacity of women’s rights advocates in more than 65 countries and counting. To learn more about the Center, please go to www.reproductiverights.org

The Job:  The Director of Special Events will advance the Center’s philanthropic goals by designing, planning, executing, and evaluating Center fundraising and donor cultivation events. This strategic role is responsible for creating compelling event experiences that engage supporters, elevate the organization’s profile, and generate significant revenue to advance our mission. The Director will manage a portfolio of high-impact events, oversee event logistics, vendor relations, budgets, and coordinate fundraising efforts across departments to meet revenue goals, $6-8 million annually. The Director will supervise the Special Events team. 

The positions will be based in the Center’s New York City office in a hybrid model of 3 days in office, 2 days working from home.  Covid-19 Vaccination is required for all U.S.-based employees of the Center. 

Primary Responsibilities:

Event Strategy & Planning

• Develop and execute a comprehensive annual events plan aligned with fundraising and organizational goals.
• Design and produce signature fundraising events (New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco).
• Design and produce high-engagement, high-impact donor cultivation and stewardship events, including online and digital events.
• Conceptualize innovative event formats that increase donor engagement and broaden reach.
• Ensure events align with brand standards and strategic messaging.

Fundraising & Donor Engagement

• Develop and execute strategy to generate $6-8 million annually through three signature events.
• Partner with the development team to set event revenue goals and fundraising strategies.
• Collaborate with major gifts, mid-level donors, corporate partnerships, and pro bono teams to secure sponsorships, underwriters, and high-level donors.
• Cultivate relationships with key stakeholders including donors, board members, sponsors, and honorees.
• Develop strategic partnerships with board members to facilitate the engagement of their networks
• Lead the management of the event committees and produce materials, updates, and high-touch engagement.
• Oversee fundraising components of events, such as live/silent auctions, paddle raises, and peer-to-peer campaigns.

Event Execution & Operations

• Oversee  all aspects of event logistics, including theme and content development, timelines, venue selection, contracts, staffing, run-of-show, and production.
• Ensure the effective utilization of external vendors including caterers, A/V teams, designers, and event consultants.
• Design a seamless guest experience with attention to detail in registration, seating, and communications.
• Oversee the management of event budgets, ensuring cost-efficiency and ROI tracking.

Team Management & Collaboration

• Supervise events staff and consultants; provide mentorship, training, and performance management.
• Collaborate with communications, programs, and executive teams for event content, branding, and outreach.
• Develop KPIs and create corresponding dashboards and performance reports.

Compensation: The annual salary for this role is $210,000. This salary reflects a position based in New York City or Washington, D.C. This salary will be subject to a downward locality adjustment if authorization is granted to work outside the location listed in this posting. Note that most of the salaries listed on our job postings reflect New York, NY salaries, where our National offices are headquartered.

Union Status: This is a non-union role.

FLSA Exempt Status: This is an exempt role.

Benefits:

• Health:      The Center pays up to 90%* of the premium for a comprehensive health      insurance plan with no in-network deductible and best-in-class      reproductive healthcare coverage, including infertility. The Center also      offers Dental and Vision coverage. (* % may differ in various countries).
• Flexibility:      The Center currently operates in a hybrid model, requiring staff to      work 3 days per week in the office and allowing work 2 days per week from      home.
• Well-being:      The Center offers resources to help prevent and recover from burnout      through different programs that enable mental, physical, and community      well-being. The Center provides generous leave, including paid parental      leave, personal days, vacation, and sick leave. We are closed the last      week of December to allow staff to spend winter holiday time with their      loved ones.
• Growth:      You will be working with and learning from some of the top legal and      operational minds, all passionate about advancing reproductive rights      worldwide. You will also be eligible for a stipend to use towards      professional growth.
• Global:      You will get a front-row seat to the fight for reproductive rights      globally. You will have access to Employee Resource Groups to connect to      colleagues with similar interests/backgrounds/views.
• Investment:      After the first year of employment, the Center will contribute 7.5%* of      your annual salary to a 401(k) (*applicable only in US and Kenya).

Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

The Center is committed to inclusive hiring and dedicated to diversity in our work and staff. We strongly encourage people from all communities to apply. If you are excited about this role but unsure about whether your experience aligns with the job description, we encourage you to apply. You may be the right candidate for this or other roles. To learn more about the Center’s commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, please visit Diversity, Equity and Inclusion | Center for Reproductive Rights.

Center policy on visa sponsorship for U.S.-based positions: Applicants for employment in the U.S. must have valid work authorization that does not now and will not in the future require sponsorship of a visa for employment authorization in the U.S. by The Center for Reproductive Rights.

Requirements

• 15-20 years of experience in event planning, fundraising, or nonprofit development.
• Proven track record of producing successful high-profile fundraising events with seven-figure revenue goals.
• Strong project management and organizational skills; able to manage multiple deadlines and stakeholders.
• Detail-oriented.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with a donor-centered mindset.
• Experience working with nonprofit boards and high-net-worth individuals.
• Ability to lead cross-functional teams and inspire collaboration.
• Experience with donor databases (e.g., Raiser’s Edge/NXT) and event management platforms.
• Creative, tactical problem-solver and a dedicated self-starter.
• Principled, ethical, professional, and committed to exceptional work quality and standards.
• Experience with volunteer management.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion is essential.
• Ability to travel required.
• A Bachelor's degree is required.