Donor Engagement & Event Specialist – San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance

San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance is a nonprofit international conservation leader, committed to inspiring a passion for nature and creating a world where all life thrives. Empowering people from around the globe to support our mission to conserve wildlife through innovation and partnerships, we support cutting-edge conservation, and bring the stories of our work back to our two world-famous front doors — the San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park — giving millions of guests, in person and virtually, the opportunity to experience conservation in action. The deep and extensive knowledge gained from more than a century of experience in wildlife care, health, veterinary services, nutrition and conservation makes us invaluable in the global effort to save species. Our team members play a crucial role in driving our conservation efforts forward and bringing us closer to a world where all life thrives.

HOW YOU WILL IMPACT OUR MISSION
The Donor Engagement & Event Specialist specializes in a variety of fundraising and custom donor/member stewardship experiences, events and activities for SDZWA, both at the San Diego Zoo and Safari Park, and at offsite and regional locations. This position reports to the Director of Philanthropy Events and Donor Engagement.

WHAT YOU WILL DO

• Cultivates and stewards SDZWA donors ($25K to multi-million level) through highly customized experiences and tour activities, resulting in elevated revenue impact to SDZWA.
• Determines event sites and creates event staffing plans, and all related logistics, directs staff and volunteers at events.
• Develops experience and event plans and coordinates logistics with other departments, outside vendors, and civic authorities/departments as needed, e.g. health department, ABC, SDPD, etc.
• Solicits donations and sponsorships, providing significant funding for SDZWA.
• Manages SDZWA donor ambassador groups, comprised of major donors and influential community members.
• Contracts and negotiates with outside vendors for event services, negotiating best prices.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR
San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance is seeking an individual with demonstrated success in maneuvering and organizing complicated event logistics, with skills in collaboration and relationship building. The desired candidate has a keen attention to detail, is highly organized, and is a self-starter who takes initiative on projects and events. The selected candidate ideally keeps up on current fundraising and event trends and is inspired to be part of an organization that is committed to protecting wildlife worldwide. 

• JOB EXPERIENCE
  • At least four years’ experience in event planning and fundraising; experience with coordinating fundraising events; Raisers Edge, Reserve, Social Tables, Eventbrite, Zoom and Go To Webinar a plus; experience working with major donors, community groups, committees and volunteers.
  • Donation solicitation and coordination experience desirable.

• EDUCATION AND CERTIFICATIONS
  • Bachelor’s Degree in Hospitality preferred.

• SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE
  • Ability to take the lead on fundraising experiences and programs, work independently, and make decisions on your own required.
  • Ability to solicit donations and sponsorships required.
  • Ability to work well with donors, Board members and volunteers required.
  • Ability to communicate effectively (verbal and written) required.
  • Ability to work well with others in a diverse and dynamic environment.
  • Ability to effectively organize with attention to detail, learn new processes quickly, adapt easily to changes, handle a variety of technology/software platforms, and maintain a high level of accuracy required.
  • Ability to use word processing, spreadsheets and databases (Windows, Word and Excel), Power Point, virtual software platforms required.

SOME OF THE PERKS YOU WILL ENJOY AS A TEAM MEMBER

• Free admission to the San Diego Zoo and the San Diego Zoo Safari Park
• Family Passes
• Complimentary Tickets
• Local and In-House Discounts
• Employee Assistance Program
• Wellness Program

IMPORTANT DETAILS

• Location: San Diego, CA
• Position Type: Hourly, Full-Time, Non-Exempt Position
• Hourly Rate: $25.77 – $28.48

Fraudulent Recruiting
Beware of fraudulent recruiting. Legitimate San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance contacts will use an @sdzwa.org email address. We do not request money, checks, equipment orders, or sensitive personal data during the recruitment process. San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance only conducts interviews via phone, Zoom, Teams or in-person.

If you have been asked for any of the above, or believe you have been contacted by someone posing as a San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance employee, please e-mail sdzwacareers@sdzwa.org.  If you feel that you have been the victim of fraud, please contact your financial institution(s) immediately. 

Be an ally for wildlife by joining our team!

At San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, we thrive on celebrating our differences. Diversity is vital for the benefit of our team members, our guests, our community, and our wildlife.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, or other legally protected status.

If you require a reasonable accommodation to complete an application, please email your request to sdzwacareers@sdzwa.org and provide the job title and location to which you are applying.

As a Federal Contractor, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance is required to participate in the E-Verify Program to confirm eligibility to work in the United States. 

San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance is a drug free workplace.

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