International Spy Museum
Special Events Fundraising Manager
International Spy Museum, Washington, DC, United States
Summary
The Special Events Manager is an exciting new opportunity for an energetic, collaborative, creative, and proven events fundraising professional to grow events to support the International Spy Museum's mission. The position is responsible for planning and executing fundraising, membership, and Board of Directors events for the Spy Museum. These roughly ten annual events range from small, intimate gatherings to large, elaborate galas and can include a wide variety of fundraising activities such as, but not limited to, interactive experiences, videos, silent auctions, and raffles. The Special Events Manager is responsible for every aspect of the event, from the initial planning stages to the day-of-execution. They work closely with internal stakeholders and a variety of other professionals, such as event planners, caterers, vendors, and sponsors. This person will be expected to think creatively and come up with new and innovative ways to raise money in conjunction with events while also staying within the expense budget. Essential to success in this role are strong organizational and planning skills, excellent communication and negotiation abilities, and a deep understanding of the non-profit sector. The ideal candidate works well under pressure and is comfortable handling a wide variety of tasks and responsibilities. This position reports to the vice president of development & membership and is part of a seven-person fundraising team.
Areas of Accountability
• Serves as the primary lead for all SPY events, including stewardship and revenue-generating fundraising events within the Development & Membership department and those outside the department, such as Board of Directors events & meetings.
• Creates event budgets to maintain favorable cost-to-revenue ratios and ensure financial sustainability.
• Implements innovative fundraising strategies to support departmental revenue goals through event-driven initiatives such as sponsorship benefits, raffles, and silent auctions.
• Oversees the fulfillment of sponsorship benefits, maintaining strong relationships with sponsors and internal stakeholders to ensure all commitments are met.
• Works with departments across SPY to identify event needs.
Responsibilities
• Develop and oversee strategies and tactics to execute impactful and successful events that align with SPY's mission and goals, including fundraising initiatives to maximize revenue generation for the Museum.
• Work with the Development team to engage donors; plan and organize silent or live auctions, raffles, and other fundraising activities; manage ticket sales.
• Lead the planning and execution of SPY's annual signature event, ensuring it meets or exceeds fundraising objectives.
• Work closely with Museum staff and departments to organize and deliver successful events beyond the scope of the Development & Membership Department.
• Perform other responsibilities as assigned to support the department and Museum objectives.
• This position requires some evening and weekend work to ensure event success.
Desired Qualifications
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent work experience.
• Five (5) to seven (7) years of proven success in event execution.
• Proven track record of success with special event fundraising.
• Experience at a cultural institution or similar nonprofit preferred.
• Superb communication and interpersonal skills.
• Exceptional project management skills, including strong understanding of tactical fundraising systems and fundraising best practices.
• Experience with managing budgets and budget forecasting.
• Attention to detail, flexible self-starter.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
• Experience with Salesforce, or other prospect management systems preferred.
• Commitment to and passion for the mission and work of the International Spy Museum.
Success Traits
• Collaborative problem-solver - Seeks understanding and makes smart decisions through consistent, effective communication, positive influence, and leading by example.
• Flexible innovator-thrives in a dynamic environment. Comfortable pivoting to meet opportunities while paying attention to strategic priorities.
• Hands-on - As a small team with big ambitions, we tackle both the details and the big creative projects with energy, knowing that both accelerate our learning and strengthen our results.
• Creative, persuasive, and sophisticated communicator - both written and verbal, both in groups and one on one
The Special Events Manager is an exciting new opportunity for an energetic, collaborative, creative, and proven events fundraising professional to grow events to support the International Spy Museum's mission. The position is responsible for planning and executing fundraising, membership, and Board of Directors events for the Spy Museum. These roughly ten annual events range from small, intimate gatherings to large, elaborate galas and can include a wide variety of fundraising activities such as, but not limited to, interactive experiences, videos, silent auctions, and raffles. The Special Events Manager is responsible for every aspect of the event, from the initial planning stages to the day-of-execution. They work closely with internal stakeholders and a variety of other professionals, such as event planners, caterers, vendors, and sponsors. This person will be expected to think creatively and come up with new and innovative ways to raise money in conjunction with events while also staying within the expense budget. Essential to success in this role are strong organizational and planning skills, excellent communication and negotiation abilities, and a deep understanding of the non-profit sector. The ideal candidate works well under pressure and is comfortable handling a wide variety of tasks and responsibilities. This position reports to the vice president of development & membership and is part of a seven-person fundraising team.
Areas of Accountability
• Serves as the primary lead for all SPY events, including stewardship and revenue-generating fundraising events within the Development & Membership department and those outside the department, such as Board of Directors events & meetings.
• Creates event budgets to maintain favorable cost-to-revenue ratios and ensure financial sustainability.
• Implements innovative fundraising strategies to support departmental revenue goals through event-driven initiatives such as sponsorship benefits, raffles, and silent auctions.
• Oversees the fulfillment of sponsorship benefits, maintaining strong relationships with sponsors and internal stakeholders to ensure all commitments are met.
• Works with departments across SPY to identify event needs.
Responsibilities
• Develop and oversee strategies and tactics to execute impactful and successful events that align with SPY's mission and goals, including fundraising initiatives to maximize revenue generation for the Museum.
• Work with the Development team to engage donors; plan and organize silent or live auctions, raffles, and other fundraising activities; manage ticket sales.
• Lead the planning and execution of SPY's annual signature event, ensuring it meets or exceeds fundraising objectives.
• Work closely with Museum staff and departments to organize and deliver successful events beyond the scope of the Development & Membership Department.
• Perform other responsibilities as assigned to support the department and Museum objectives.
• This position requires some evening and weekend work to ensure event success.
Desired Qualifications
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent work experience.
• Five (5) to seven (7) years of proven success in event execution.
• Proven track record of success with special event fundraising.
• Experience at a cultural institution or similar nonprofit preferred.
• Superb communication and interpersonal skills.
• Exceptional project management skills, including strong understanding of tactical fundraising systems and fundraising best practices.
• Experience with managing budgets and budget forecasting.
• Attention to detail, flexible self-starter.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
• Experience with Salesforce, or other prospect management systems preferred.
• Commitment to and passion for the mission and work of the International Spy Museum.
Success Traits
• Collaborative problem-solver - Seeks understanding and makes smart decisions through consistent, effective communication, positive influence, and leading by example.
• Flexible innovator-thrives in a dynamic environment. Comfortable pivoting to meet opportunities while paying attention to strategic priorities.
• Hands-on - As a small team with big ambitions, we tackle both the details and the big creative projects with energy, knowing that both accelerate our learning and strengthen our results.
• Creative, persuasive, and sophisticated communicator - both written and verbal, both in groups and one on one