Development & Events Manager

Position Summary

Western Center on Law & Poverty is seeking a Development
& Events Manager to lead fundraising and programmatic event
coordination, support annual fundraising campaigns, and engage in
donor outreach and cultivation. Reporting to the Director of
Philanthropy, the Development & Events Manager will play an
integral role in mobilizing the Western Center community through
engaging fundraising and programmatic events that drive mission
impact and increase philanthropic revenue. We seek a team member
who will thrive in a collegial environment and bring expertise in
event management and production.

Primary responsibilities include creating and implementing
detailed event production schedules, agendas, and run of shows,
measuring event results, and convening post-event debriefs to
determine successes and areas for improvement. Working
collaboratively with the Director of Philanthropy, the Manager will
build, facilitate, and steward new and existing relationships with
donors (individuals, corporations, and foundations) and community
partners. The Development & Events Manager will also co-create
direct mail, social media content, and email campaigns that
represent the full scope of Western Center’s vision to end poverty
and ensure economic and racial justice for all Californians.

As the Western Center development team is committed to
integrating community-centric fundraising principles, the
Development & Events Manager will conduct prospect research to
grow Western Center’s sponsor and donor portfolio, supporting the
expansion of a donor community that aligns with our commitment to
equity, inclusion, and justice. The Manager will champion equity
and justice in external relationships and internal policies and
procedures.

The successful candidate will be an efficient collaborator with
strong written and verbal communication skills, and expertise in
event coordination and nonprofit fundraising.

Responsibilities

Special Events

• Lead in the development and execution of event work plans for
  all virtual and in-person events including WCLP’s annual Garden
  Party, Meet the Advocates virtual program series, Poverty Is Not a
  Joke comedy event, Legal Academy trainings, program summits, donor
  receptions, and other WCLP network events.
• Maintain event software, tracking event RSVPs, sponsorships,
  and tickets sales and updating event websites with sponsor logos
  and other key information.
• Work with sponsors on their guest lists and all related event
  communications; track and prepare name tags and seating charts for
  in-person events.
• Lead day-of event logistics including volunteer assignments,
  guest registration table management, set-up and tear-down, and
  liaise with venue staff, personnel for parking/valet, security,
  etc.
• Manage event budgets, tracking expenditures and revenue to
  support post-event reconciliation in partnership with the Director
  of Philanthropy and Director of Finance.
• Solicit rental and vendor agreements for production, catering,
  audio/visual support, lighting, etc.
• Draft copy for event related solicitations: sponsorship decks,
  sponsor cover letters, honoree and speaker
• Prepare pre- and post-event communications for email, website,
  and social media.
• Work with Director of Philanthropy to manage Advisory Board
  Committee communications and event
• Work in partnership with Senior Communications Strategist to
  finalize any scripts and format for contracted production teams and
  teleprompter use.

Donors

• Assist in the development and implementation of strategies and
  campaigns that grow annual revenue from individuals, including
  appeal campaigns, online giving initiatives, database management
  and research, and fulfillment of donor benefits.
• Work collaboratively to communicate, track and evaluate key
  messaging through email, print, and social media.
• Work collaboratively with the Director of Philanthropy to
  identify prospects and establish strategies for building a robust
  donor portfolio.
• Engage in donor outreach and cultivation.

General Responsibilities

• Actively participate in the creation of the annual development
  plan and follow through on its successful completion.
• Remain up to date on the latest fundraising and stewardship
  trends that impact philanthropic support for WCLP’s mission.
• Understand the strategic direction and vision of the
  organization to support fundraising and event strategies aligned
  with WCLP’s values.
• Contribute to the healthy maintenance of the department’s donor
  database system.
• Assist, as needed, in gift processing and preparation of
  donation acknowledgement letters.
• Recommend internal process and policy modifications to increase
  department efficiency.
• Other duties as assigned.

Position Summary

Western Center on Law & Poverty is seeking a Development
& Events Manager to lead fundraising and programmatic event
coordination, support annual fundraising campaigns, and engage in
donor outreach and cultivation. Reporting to the Director of
Philanthropy, the Development & Events Manager will play an
integral role in mobilizing the Western Center community through
engaging fundraising and programmatic events that drive mission
impact and increase philanthropic revenue. We seek a team member
who will thrive in a collegial environment and bring expertise in
event management and production.

Primary responsibilities include creating and implementing
detailed event production schedules, agendas, and run of shows,
measuring event results, and convening post-event debriefs to
determine successes and areas for improvement. Working
collaboratively with the Director of Philanthropy, the Manager will
build, facilitate, and steward new and existing relationships with
donors (individuals, corporations, and foundations) and community
partners. The Development & Events Manager will also co-create
direct mail, social media content, and email campaigns that
represent the full scope of Western Center’s vision to end poverty
and ensure economic and racial justice for all Californians.

As the Western Center development team is committed to
integrating community-centric fundraising principles, the
Development & Events Manager will conduct prospect research to
grow Western Center’s sponsor and donor portfolio, supporting the
expansion of a donor community that aligns with our commitment to
equity, inclusion, and justice. The Manager will champion equity
and justice in external relationships and internal policies and
procedures.

The successful candidate will be an efficient collaborator with
strong written and verbal communication skills, and expertise in
event coordination and nonprofit fundraising.

Responsibilities

Special Events

• Lead in the development and execution of event work plans for
  all virtual and in-person events including WCLP’s annual Garden
  Party, Meet the Advocates virtual program series, Poverty Is Not a
  Joke comedy event, Legal Academy trainings, program summits, donor
  receptions, and other WCLP network events.
• Maintain event software, tracking event RSVPs, sponsorships,
  and tickets sales and updating event websites with sponsor logos
  and other key information.
• Work with sponsors on their guest lists and all related event
  communications; track and prepare name tags and seating charts for
  in-person events.
• Lead day-of event logistics including volunteer assignments,
  guest registration table management, set-up and tear-down, and
  liaise with venue staff, personnel for parking/valet, security,
  etc.
• Manage event budgets, tracking expenditures and revenue to
  support post-event reconciliation in partnership with the Director
  of Philanthropy and Director of Finance.
• Solicit rental and vendor agreements for production, catering,
  audio/visual support, lighting, etc.
• Draft copy for event related solicitations: sponsorship decks,
  sponsor cover letters, honoree and speaker
• Prepare pre- and post-event communications for email, website,
  and social media.
• Work with Director of Philanthropy to manage Advisory Board
  Committee communications and event
• Work in partnership with Senior Communications Strategist to
  finalize any scripts and format for contracted production teams and
  teleprompter use.

Donors

• Assist in the development and implementation of strategies and
  campaigns that grow annual revenue from individuals, including
  appeal campaigns, online giving initiatives, database management
  and research, and fulfillment of donor benefits.
• Work collaboratively to communicate, track and evaluate key
  messaging through email, print, and social media.
• Work collaboratively with the Director of Philanthropy to
  identify prospects and establish strategies for building a robust
  donor portfolio.
• Engage in donor outreach and cultivation.

General Responsibilities

• Actively participate in the creation of the annual development
  plan and follow through on its successful completion.
• Remain up to date on the latest fundraising and stewardship
  trends that impact philanthropic support for WCLP’s mission.
• Understand the strategic direction and vision of the
  organization to support fundraising and event strategies aligned
  with WCLP’s values.
• Contribute to the healthy maintenance of the department’s donor
  database system.
• Assist, as needed, in gift processing and preparation of
  donation acknowledgement letters.
• Recommend internal process and policy modifications to increase
  department efficiency.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Deep commitment to economic, social, and racial justice, and
  the mission of the Western Center.
• Bachelor’s degree (or combination of equivalent education and
  work experience).

• A minimum of 6 – 8 years of experience in event planning and
  nonprofit fundraising (or demonstrated experience in a related
  field.)

• Experience coordinating all aspects of large and small-scale
  events for diverse constituencies, including knowledge producing
  hybrid and virtual events with various technology.

• Experience with nonprofit fundraising databases or CRM systems
  (proficiency in GiveSmart, eTapestry or similar nonprofit
  fundraising/donor management software a plus).

• High degree of creativity and up-to-date knowledge of community
  engagement and event trends.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

• Experience working with vendors and consultants including mail
  house on bulk mailings.

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (including Word, Excel,
  Outlook and PowerPoint).

• Excellent organizational skills, with the ability to
  effectively prioritize among competing tasks while maintaining
  attention to detail.

• Proven stakeholder management skills and demonstrated ability
  to establish positive rapport with all levels of staff, volunteers,
  funders and donors.

• Demonstrated experience working independently, but within a
  collaborative team environment, and ability to establish priorities
  and follow-up in a timely manner.