• Job Description

  Req#: JR2733

  If you are a current Barnard College employee, please use the internal career site to apply for this position.

  Job:

  Senior Associate Director, Special Events

  Job Summary:

  Summary:
  
  Reporting to the Director of Special Events, the Senior Associate Director of Special Events is responsible for assisting in planning, organizing, and executing an annual roster of events for the Development and Alumnae Relations Department, including the Annual Gala—a fundraiser that raises over $2.5 million for financial aid each year. The Senior Associate Director will also take the lead on multiple high-end cultivation events and annual stewardship events. This position provides critical event management for Giving Day events, Reunion, and Leadership Assembly. All of these events are essential to developing and sustaining the long-term relationships between Barnard and its key constituencies that result in substantial financial support for the College. Additionally, the Senior Associate Director serves as the Director’s second, and oversees the Special Events Team, managing all events in the absence of the Director.

  Job Description:

  Duties and Responsibilities:

  • Communicate regularly with board members, major donors, and volunteers regarding event participation, including but not limited to guest lists, financial arrangements, seating, planning meetings, etc.
  • Ensure that gifts received for the Annual Gala are processed and acknowledged in a timely manner; track all Annual Gala donations, including verbal pledges.
  • Serve as a resident event subject matter expert to the Development and Alumnae Relations team, and share best practices in planning annual and new events.
  • Build and manage event budgets, timelines, and run-of-show.
  • Draft and update presidential event briefs as needed; coordinate remarks for the president, host, featured speakers, etc.
  • Analyze events and processes with a fresh perspective and suggest creative and innovative ideas for improvement.
  • Research and secure external vendors, and negotiate as necessary.
  • Manage guest list requests, data analysis, design, production, and sending invitations for events.
  • Manage the event design, set-up, and manage relationships with internal and external vendors (caterers, Events Management, Facilities, AV, IMATS, and CARES).
  • Independently direct and manage high-end small, mid-scale and marquis events as assigned.
  • Supervise two direct reports; providing support, robust training, and regular feedback.
  • In absence of the Director, oversee the team, assume increased responsibility, and ensure that the team meets all deadlines.
  • Work under general supervision with broad instructions, planning and arranging own work toward previously defined objectives.
  • Perform additional duties and responsibilities as needed.

  Skills, Qualifications & Requirements:

  Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

  • Calm and positive under pressure; excellent multitasking, prioritization, organization, and proactive troubleshooting skills

  • Excellent oral and written communication skills

  • Ability to interact with a varied constituency (including high-level donors) with a foundation of tact and diplomacy

  • Ability to manage multiple tasks and shifting priorities in a high-volume environment

  • Ability to work independently and collaboratively, in a goal-oriented team environment

  • Ability and willingness to work outside of standard business hours, including occasional weekends and evenings

  • Excellent judgment, a sense of discretion, and proven ability to maintain confidentiality

  • Motivated, innovative, and collaborative, with strong attention to detail and a solution-oriented mindset

  • Must meet the department’s core values of collaboration, aspiration, transparency, respect, accountability, and trust

  Qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s degree with five to seven years of experience in events management or equivalent experience

  • Demonstrated ability to juggle multiple priorities with scrupulous attention to detail

  • Financial acumen, in particular experience with budgets

  Preferred Qualifications :

  • Experience working in higher education

  • Familiarity with fundraising

  • Familiarity and facility with donor databases (Salesforce and/or Blackthorn a plus, but not necessary)

  Additional Information:

  This job is currently a hybrid position and may require a presence in the office up to five times a week, including for team and full staff meetings, events, and other times as directed by the supervisor.

  Physical Requirements:

  • Ability to perform customary office tasks such as sitting, walking, standing, computing, and answering telephone for moderate to prolonged periods combined with light to moderate reaching, bending, and lifting, with the ability to lift items weighing as much as 25 lbs.

  Salary Range: $81,000 - $85,000

  The salary of the finalist selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to departmental budgets, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, specialty, and training. The above hiring range represents the College's good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.

  Company:

  Barnard College

  Time Type:

  Full time

• About the company

  Barnard College of Columbia University is a private women's liberal arts college located in the borough of Manhattan in New York City.

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