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Assistant Director, Special Events & Experiences

Job Description

UNICEF USA (UUSA) is a private, independent, U.S. nonprofit that exists to deliver impact for children. UNICEF USA advances the global mission of UNICEF by rallying the American public to support the world’s most vulnerable children. We are driven by a shared objective that every child is healthy, educated, protected, and respected. Headquartered in New York City, UNICEF USA has nearly 300 employees across the U.S. with nine regional offices. This year, UNICEF USA raised over $1B in private sector support, advanced legislation, and secured government resources to deliver impact for children. For more information, visit www.unicefusa.org.

Position: Assistant Director, Special Events & Experiences

Location: Nationwide / Hybrid

FLSA Status: Exempt

Salary: NYC's minimum salary for this position is $78,600. This may be adjusted to reflect the cost of labor of a candidate’s work location, if outside of NYC.

Position Description

Reporting to the Managing Director of Special Events within the Philanthropy Division, UNICEF USA is seeking an Assistant Director, Special Events and Experiences capable of project directing while working closely alongside frontline fundraisers to strategically raise revenue for UNICEF’s programs. The department’s mission is to produce never-before-seen educational, emotional experiences that will connect diverse target audiences across the supporter continuum to UNICEF’s timely program work around the world. Each project inspires attendees to give urgently while raising national awareness of the challenges facing the world’s children today. The Assistant Director will lead projects with an emphasis on raising $3 million annually through a portfolio of fundraising events focused on the mission of UNICEF across the country. The Assistant Director will be responsible for managing event committees and frequently collaborating with board members and supporters to achieve fundraising and audience growth goals. The Assistant Director will work closely and collaboratively with UUSA philanthropy and program teams, and own the strategic development plan of cultivation events for the organization.

Responsibilities (including but not limited to):

Strategic Fundraising Events

  • Develop a strategy to generate $3 million annually through experiential fundraising events (part of the department’s $50 million 4-year strategic plan).
  • Use data to create well-informed business plans and audience engagement strategies for each project.
  • In partnership with philanthropy leadership: solicit and close six-figure event gifts from corporations, foundations and individuals.
  • Develop and fulfill customized sponsorship and exhibit grant proposals.
  • Build event leadership structures with external stakeholders, managing event committees made up of board members, NextGen supporters, and high-profile executives.
  • Work across cross-functional internal teams (creative services, marketing, entertainment marketing, finance, public relations, major gifts, corporate, etc) to achieve strategic priorities.
  • Create and manage fundraising timelines and work towards monthly revenue targets.
  • Contract collateral designers for fundraising materials including invitations and pitch decks; vet all external-facing materials for internal approvals with department leads.
  • Design strategic fundraising events for 300-1,000 guests throughout the U.S., as assigned.
  • Research new innovations in experiential fundraising.

Cultivation and Stewardship Events

  • Develop a suite of in-person and/or virtual UNICEF USA Speaker Series events per year intended to introduce new audiences to UNICEF’s work and educate current supporters about important issues facing the world’s children today.
  • Consult cross-departmentally with colleagues across the Philanthropy team on the cultivation event calendar in order to retain and steward supporters living in key growth markets in the U.S.
  • Design production schedules for each type of cultivation program: panel discussions, keynote presentations, roundtable discussions, luncheons, and film screenings.
  • Write scripts, discussion questions, event descriptions, and any event-related copy.
  • Research and pitch ideas for keynote speakers on an array of global topics – child protection, climate change, health, water and sanitation, and emergency relief.
  • Oversee communications with event participants: invitations, preparations, briefing documents.
  • Project manage virtual cultivation events with beginning-to-end execution.

Event Production and Project Communication

  • Create unique experiences that communicate the impact of UNICEF’s international work to American audiences through outstanding storytelling.
  • Provide guidance to staff and vendors leading in the following areas: production, logistics, and catering.
  • Assemble and manage detailed production timelines and budgets in a collaborative and fast-paced environment. Meet and deliver projects on or under budget.
  • Work independently while also managing effectively to leadership, colleagues, and vendors.
  • Provide onsite event leadership to staff, volunteers, and program participants.
  • Create pre-event planning decks and post-event summaries for internal and external stakeholders as needed.
  • Evaluate event performance, post-event ROI, and wrap-up reports.

Qualifications:

Essential

  • Bachelor’s degree or equivalent required.
  • 7 years of experience running live in-person fundraisers for 1,000+ guests.
  • Understanding of global matrix processes and workflow, including demonstrated ability to direct projects collaboratively with multiple internal and external stakeholders.
  • Advanced experience in Microsoft Excel (pivot tables), PowerPoint, and Microsoft products.
  • Able to meet key organizational goals and execute them to the highest standards.
  • Comfortable with program analysis, measurement, reporting, and pipeline impact.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills with experience presenting to teams.
  • Proven ability to guide teams with calm authority even during high-pressure event situations.
  • Able to identify key growth opportunities and act on them.
  • Excellent project management skills and a desire to improve current processes.
  • Ability to travel throughout the United States.
  • Able to work occasionally on weekends and/or until 1 AM if the event requires.
  • Proven effectiveness in contract negotiations with consultants, venues, producers, and food and beverage.
  • Must demonstrate UNICEF USA Core Values: Trust, Respect, Accountability, Innovation, Teamwork, and Service.

Desirable

  • Familiarity with BBCRM (a Blackbaud product), Box, Cvent, Social Tables, Microsoft Power BI, and Fundraise Up.
  • Understanding of current world events and their impact on children.
  • Past experience scaling an event or product with tangible results.
  • An understanding of the latest trends in event technology.

Must possess current and valid US Work Authorization and be eligible to work for any US employer without sponsorship.

Salary is commensurate with experience. In addition, UNICEF USA offers a comprehensive benefits package.

UNICEF USA is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer
We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, reproductive health decisions, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, genetic information, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. We also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable federal, state, and local law. UUSA is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application procedures. If you need assistance or accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us at peopleandculture@unicefusa.org.

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