Director of Special Events

DREAM (formerly Harlem RBI)

Director of Special Events at DREAM overseeing fundraising events and donor engagement. Responsible for strategic planning and operational direction for a portfolio generating $8 million annually.

Posted 7/31/2026full-timeNew York City • New York • 🇺🇸 United StatesLead💰 $125,000 - $140,000 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates expertise in fundraising strategy, event management, and donor engagement, with a strong focus on financial oversight and operational excellence. Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams and build partnerships to enhance organizational initiatives.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Fundraising StrategyEvent ManagementFinancial ManagementPeople ManagementSalesforce Experience

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Fundraising EventsBudget ManagementProject LeadershipEvent Portfolio ManagementRisk ManagementKPI EstablishmentData Management

Soft Skills

Communication SkillsRelationship BuildingLeadership Skills

Tools & Technologies

SalesforceFundraising Technology

Industry Keywords

Nonprofit LeadershipEvent StrategyDonor EngagementOperational ReadinessSponsorship Management

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Develop and lead the multi-year vision and annual strategy for DREAM’s fundraising, cultivation, and stewardship events;
Build and oversee an integrated annual event calendar aligned with Advancement priorities;
Partner with frontline fundraisers to establish revenue, sponsorship, cultivation, and stewardship goals;
Guide audience strategy, experience design, program development, and donor engagement;
Lead sponsorship, auction, host committee, and revenue-generating strategies;
Serve as a strategic advisor to Advancement leadership, Board members, and event leadership.
Oversee the full portfolio of fundraising and donor engagement events;
Establish standards for quality, risk management, operational readiness, and guest experience;
Lead cross-functional planning teams across Advancement, Communications, Finance, schools, and programs;
Oversee vendor relationships, contract negotiations, production partners, and consultants;
Ensure events authentically reflect DREAM’s mission and values.
Own event budgets, forecasting, financial performance, and reconciliation;
Establish event portfolio KPIs and lead post-event evaluation;
Partner with the Database Manager to ensure effective systems, reporting, gift processing, and event data management;
Identify opportunities to strengthen event systems, processes, and technology.
Supervise, coach, and develop the Event & Operations Manager;
Provide direction and oversight to the Advancement Operations Coordinator for event execution, including event administrative coordination and operational support;
Set priorities and allocate team capacity across concurrent initiatives;
Build strong partnerships across Advancement and organizational leadership;
Represent Events within Advancement planning and organizational initiatives.

Requirements

What you’ll need

Bachelor’s degree required;
Seven or more years of progressively responsible experience in fundraising events, experiential engagement, or nonprofit event leadership;
Three or more years of people management experience;
Demonstrated success leading complex fundraising event portfolios;
Strong fundraising strategy, financial management, and project leadership skills;
Experience managing significant budgets, vendors, contracts, and operational teams;
Excellent communication, relationship-building, and leadership skills;
Experience with Salesforce and fundraising technology;
Ability to work evenings and weekends as needed;
Strong commitment to DREAM’s mission and values.

Benefits

Comp & perks

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.
*Benefits are subject to change.*