Director of Special Events

Reporting to the Senior Director of Advancement Operations, the Director of Special Events provides the strategic vision, leadership, and operational direction for DREAM's portfolio of fundraising, cultivation, stewardship, community, and signature events. The Director oversees an event portfolio that generates approximately $8 million annually toward the Advancement team's $21 million fundraising goal, translating Advancement priorities into high-impact experiences that deepen donor relationships, expand DREAM's network of supporters, and drive meaningful fundraising results.

The Director manages the Events & Operations Manager while partnering closely with the Advancement Operations Manager, Database Manager, and Advancement Operations Coordinator to ensure strategic planning, operational execution, and data management are aligned across DREAM's fundraising events.

Responsibilities

• Develop and lead the multi-year vision and annual strategy for DREAM’s fundraising, cultivation, and stewardship events;

• Build and oversee an integrated annual event calendar aligned with Advancement priorities;

• Partner with frontline fundraisers to establish revenue, sponsorship, cultivation, and stewardship goals;

• Guide audience strategy, experience design, program development, and donor engagement;

• Lead sponsorship, auction, host committee, and revenue-generating strategies;

• Serve as a strategic advisor to Advancement leadership, Board members, and event leadership.

Event Portfolio Leadership

• Oversee the full portfolio of fundraising and donor engagement events;

• Establish standards for quality, risk management, operational readiness, and guest experience;

• Lead cross-functional planning teams across Advancement, Communications, Finance, schools, and programs;

• Oversee vendor relationships, contract negotiations, production partners, and consultants;

• Ensure events authentically reflect DREAM’s mission and values.

Financial, Data & Operational Leadership

• Own event budgets, forecasting, financial performance, and reconciliation;

• Establish event portfolio KPIs and lead post-event evaluation;

• Partner with the Database Manager to ensure effective systems, reporting, gift processing, and event data management;

• Identify opportunities to strengthen event systems, processes, and technology.

Team Leadership

• Supervise, coach, and develop the Event & Operations Manager;

• Provide direction and oversight to the Advancement Operations Coordinator for event execution, including event administrative coordination and operational support;

• Set priorities and allocate team capacity across concurrent initiatives;

• Build strong partnerships across Advancement and organizational leadership;

• Represent Events within Advancement planning and organizational initiatives.

Additional duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required;

• Seven or more years of progressively responsible experience in fundraising events, experiential engagement, or nonprofit event leadership;

• Three or more years of people management experience;

• Demonstrated success leading complex fundraising event portfolios;

• Strong fundraising strategy, financial management, and project leadership skills;

• Experience managing significant budgets, vendors, contracts, and operational teams;

• Excellent communication, relationship-building, and leadership skills;

• Experience with Salesforce and fundraising technology;

• Ability to work evenings and weekends as needed;

• Strong commitment to DREAM’s mission and values.

Working Expectations

• This role is part of the Advancement Team, which currently works 3 days in the office and up to 2 days remote, per week (subject to change, and with some weeks requiring more time in-person, for example for donor events).
• Some evening and/or weekend work, for example to prepare for and attend donor events, is required.

Benefits and Paid Time Off

Compensation