DREAM (formerly Harlem RBI)

Special Events Manager

DREAM (formerly Harlem RBI)

full-time

Posted on:

Location Type: Hybrid

Location: New York City • New York • United States

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Salary

💰 $70,000 - $80,000 per year

About the role

  • Lead the creation & management of operational systems & project plans for all Supporter Engagement events (Including: fundraising events, donor stewardship & cultivation events, and select signature school events).
  • Manage logistics for events, including vendor coordination, budgeting, registration, guest communication, and run-of-show.
  • Partner with the Communications Team to manage event branding, invitations, digital and printed materials, and event decor.
  • Support the execution of programmatic and cultivation events such as graduations, volunteer activations, and community partnerships.
  • Contribute to fundraising strategies, day-of execution, and stewardship of donors, in-kind sponsors, and auction participants.
  • Partner with Major Gifts teams on pre- and post-event donor engagement, including acknowledgment letters, thank-yous, and stewardship reports.
  • Manage in-kind donations and auction solicitation strategies tailored to each event audience.
  • Support sponsorship fulfillment, gift bags, and auction item coordination.
  • Contribute to donor experience strategy, helping design memorable, mission-aligned event touchpoints.
  • Serve as a Salesforce “super user” to maintain records, track performance, and generate reports.
  • Work with the Director of Advancement Operations to set event budget forecasts, manage event budgets, oversee all financial reporting and data analysis, and ensure accurate tracking of event revenue.
  • Contribute to building and maintaining dashboards, event calendars, and workback timelines.
  • Support with tracking event key performance areas, identifying items to work on for future events, and collaborating to create sound event strategies for DREAM.
  • Oversee the fundraising operations management for the event pipeline with an eye towards integration with the major gifts program development.
  • Drive strategy for innovating procedures and ensuring proper management of the event revenue & tracking key event data in Salesforce.
  • Drive the gift management procedures, acknowledgment procedures, and database maintenance for all special event activities.
  • Lead internal planning meetings across Events, Communications, and Major Gifts teams.
  • Oversee day-of event logistics, team assignments, and troubleshooting.
  • Ensure smooth cross-functional coordination for volunteers, vendors, and staff roles at events.

Requirements

  • Bachelor’s degree required.
  • 3+ years of experience planning fundraising or cultivation events in a nonprofit or mission-driven setting.
  • Demonstrated success managing or supporting events that drive revenue and build donor loyalty. A keen sense of guest experience and engagement from initial outreach through post-event activities.
  • Proven success executing revenue-driving events and building donor engagement.
  • Strong project management and problem-solving skills with attention to detail.
  • Ability to manage multiple priorities in dynamic environments.
  • Excellent interpersonal skills and cross-department collaboration experience.
  • Proficiency in Salesforce, Google/Microsoft Suites, and tools like Asana, Cvent, Canva.
  • Creative thinker with an eye for event design and guest experience.
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills.
  • Enthusiasm for growing in the field of Special Events and contributing to a mission-driven team.
  • A strong belief in the mission and values of DREAM, including the belief that all students can succeed, and a deep desire to make a difference in the lives of our students, families, and community.
Benefits
  • Flexible Medical Health Plans, subsidizing the majority of costs for the employee, their spouse/domestic partner and children;
  • The ability to select between a variety of medical plans according to what best suits the employee’s needs;
  • Dental and vision plans;
  • Disability benefits;
  • Life insurance;
  • Up to 12 weeks fully paid of Parental Leave;
  • Flexible spending account options;
  • Pre-tax commuter benefits (parking and transit);
  • Fitness and entertainment discounts;
  • A variety of support through our employee assistance program (EAP);
  • 403(b) retirement plan with employer match starting at 4% after one year, with increases tied to DREAM tenure;
  • Referral, performance, and tenure milestone bonuses;
  • Discounted school meals through our in-house Scratch Food Program;
  • Tuition reimbursement support;
  • Access to a professional development fund;
  • School-based 12-month employees have approximately 48 days off throughout the school year including holidays, school breaks, personal days, and wellness days.
Applicant Tracking System Keywords

Tip: use these terms in your resume and cover letter to boost ATS matches.

Hard Skills & Tools
event planningbudget managementvendor coordinationdonor engagementdata analysisevent logisticsfundraising strategiesproject managementguest experience designrevenue tracking
Soft Skills
problem-solvingattention to detailinterpersonal skillscross-department collaborationcreative thinkingstrong communication skillsability to manage multiple prioritiesenthusiasm for mission-driven workteam leadershipadaptability