Hybrid Director of Philanthropic Events – Partnerships

at School of American Ballet

• Job title: Director of Philanthropic Events – Partnerships
• Job type: Full Time
• Experience level: Lead
• Salary: $95,000 - $105,000 per year
• Degree requirement: Bachelor's Degree
• Location requirements: Hybrid, New York City, United States

About the role

• Director of Philanthropic Events & Partnerships overseeing major fundraising events at SAB. Cultivating donor relationships and managing corporate partnerships aligned with SAB’s mission.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a senior member of the Development and Marketing leadership team, shaping strategy for SAB’s philanthropic events and corporate partnerships.
• Partner closely with the Director of Individual Giving to coordinate donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies tied to events.
• Collaborate across the Development, Artistic, and Executive teams to integrate event fundraising into SAB’s overall donor and institutional strategy.
• Support the Executive Director, Director of Development and Marketing, and Board leadership in identifying and engaging new event chairs, committee members, and major donors.
• Establish revenue goals, budgets, and performance metrics for each major event.
• Provide strategic and creative leadership for SAB’s signature fundraising events, including the Nutcracker Family Benefit, SAB Ball, and the Workshop Benefit, with a focus on maximizing philanthropic outcomes.
• Cultivate, solicit, and steward event co-chairs, committee members, and individual donors to secure sponsorships, tables, tickets, and contributions.
• Develop compelling event concepts and experiences that advance donor relationships and reflect SAB’s mission and artistic excellence.
• Oversee logistics, production, and guest experience in collaboration with staff, consultants, and vendors.
• Lead post-event follow-up and donor stewardship in coordination with Individual Giving and Development Operations.
• Manage SAB’s portfolio of corporate and brand partnerships, stewarding current sponsors and cultivating new relationships.
• Partner with the Marketing team to ensure all corporate partnerships and sponsorship activations align with SAB’s brand identity and support broader brand visibility goals.
• Develop tailored sponsorship proposals and benefits packages that align with corporate partners’ philanthropic and visibility goals.
• Collaborate internally to ensure timely fulfillment of partnership benefits and accurate recognition in print, digital, and on-site channels.
• Track and report on corporate revenue goals and sponsor engagement metrics.
• Supervise and mentor the Event Assistant, setting clear goals and ensuring the successful execution of all fundraising and cultivation events.
• Promote collaboration, accountability, and professional growth within the team.
• Manage relationships with external event vendors, consultants, and partners to ensure excellence and efficiency.

Requirements

• Approximately 5–7 years of progressive experience in fundraising and event management, preferably within a nonprofit or cultural institution.
• Proven track record of cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding major donors, event leadership, and corporate sponsors.
• Demonstrated success in planning and executing high-revenue fundraising events.
• Strong relationship-management skills with the ability to engage high-level volunteers, donors, and trustees.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication abilities; confident, polished, and donor-facing.
• Experience managing staff and motivating teams toward shared goals.
• Strategic thinker with strong attention to detail, follow-through, and creative problem-solving.
• Flexibility to work evenings and weekends for events and cultivation activities.
• A passion for the arts, culture, or education is strongly preferred.

Benefits

• full health benefits
• four weeks of vacation (plus two holiday weeks in December)
• generous retirement savings benefits