Development Manager - Special Events

About the Organization

The Ronald McDonald House Charities of Western Washington & Alaska supports seriously ill children and their families by providing housing, meals, and other essential support services at our facilities in Seattle, WA and Anchorage, AK. Each night we house 139 families, offering the comforts of home near the medical care their children need. Enabling families to stay close to their hospitalized child supports the health and well-being of the child and saves families millions of dollars in hotel and food costs each year.

About the Role

The Development Manager serves as an enthusiastic and articulate representative of RMHC to the community, cultivates and stewards event sponsors and attendees, offers guidance and encouragement to third-party event fundraisers, and attends all RMHC special events. This role plays an active part in the cultivation, engagement, and fundraising efforts for special events programs, designed to engage both existing and new RMHC donors.

Reporting to the Senior Director of Corporate & Community Engagement, the Development Manager collaborates closely with the Senior Director and other members of the Development team to achieve fundraising goals, deliver impactful, mission-driven events, and steward key stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Support growth of signature fundraising events and peer-to-peer fundraisers, including the House that Love Built Gala and the Golf FORE the Families tournament, in tandem with the Senior Director of Corporate & Community Engagement.
• Assist with strategic planning, execution, and evaluation of events with accountability for revenue goals.
• Manage aspects of the Gala, including sponsorship, audience development, timelines, invitations, collateral, sponsor recognition, decorations, awards, and summary reports.
• Serve as a point of contact for Gala subcommittee chairpersons, including progress reports, event timelines, meeting agendas, and meeting minutes.
• Assist planning and execution of the Golf FORE the Families tournament, including sponsorship and foursome sales, logistics, and volunteers.
• Contribute to the yearly budget process by supporting accurate event income and expense reports.
• Collaborate with the Volunteer Services Manager to ensure adequate event staffing.
• Serve as liaison with event vendors and service providers.
• Partner with the Communications Manager to develop and execute event communication plans.
• Organize and execute select administrative components to thank and appreciate donors and track stewardship of donors, board members, and volunteers.
• Oversee and serve as point of contact for volunteer-led, third-party fundraisers, update guidelines, and maintain support materials.
• Attend third-party events as necessary to ensure brand compliance, event success, and mission awareness.

Skills & Qualifications

• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with corporate partners, department leaders, colleagues, external vendors, volunteers, donors, and prospects.
• Program management skills including planning, organizing, staffing, and evaluating programs.
• Effective decision making, leadership, and volunteer mentorship.
• Ability to work and make judgements independently and take initiative. Self-motivated for excellence and able to take direction as a team player.
• Ability to effectively present information.
• Familiar with volunteer/staff partnerships in achieving desired outcomes.
• Capability to leverage relationships and negotiate agreements.
• Working knowledge of Raiser’s Edge software as it pertains to management of donors and fostering a culture of philanthropy.
• Working knowledge of Greater Giving.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint).
• Proficient in the Adobe Creative Suite.
• Able to manage multiple projects and effectively prioritize tasks in a fast-paced environment.
• Flexibility in personal schedule to attend occasional evening and weekend events.

Requirements

• Three to five years’ experience in non-profit fundraising, successfully executing mid- to large-level events.
• Experience managing gala fundraising events a plus.

Physical Demands

• Work is performed in an office environment and requires the ability to operate standard office equipment and keyboards. Must be able to remain in stationary position for prolonged periods.
• Lifting, carrying, pushing, or pulling moderately heavy objects (up to 25 lbs).
• Requires long workdays leading up to events, and 15-hour days at events.

Benefits

• Generous paid time off including 10 paid holidays, 12 sick days, 2 personal days, and vacation based on schedule and experience.
• 100% employer-paid medical, vision, and dental plans.
• Life insurance.
• 401(k) retirement savings with an employer match.