Hybrid Special Events Manager

at DREAM (formerly Harlem RBI)

• Job title: Special Events Manager
• Job type: Full Time
• Experience level: Mid level, Senior
• Salary: $70,000 - $80,000 per year
• Degree requirement: Bachelor's Degree
• Location requirements: Hybrid, New York City, United States

About the role

• Special Events Manager supporting fundraising efforts and donor engagement for DREAM, a nonprofit organization. Overseeing logistics and strategic planning for events generating significant revenue.

Responsibilities

• Lead the creation & management of operational systems & project plans for all Supporter Engagement events (Including: fundraising events, donor stewardship & cultivation events, and select signature school events).
• Manage logistics for events, including vendor coordination, budgeting, registration, guest communication, and run-of-show.
• Partner with the Communications Team to manage event branding, invitations, digital and printed materials, and event decor.
• Support the execution of programmatic and cultivation events such as graduations, volunteer activations, and community partnerships.
• Contribute to fundraising strategies, day-of execution, and stewardship of donors, in-kind sponsors, and auction participants.
• Partner with Major Gifts teams on pre- and post-event donor engagement, including acknowledgment letters, thank-yous, and stewardship reports.
• Manage in-kind donations and auction solicitation strategies tailored to each event audience.
• Support sponsorship fulfillment, gift bags, and auction item coordination.
• Contribute to donor experience strategy, helping design memorable, mission-aligned event touchpoints.
• Serve as a Salesforce “super user” to maintain records, track performance, and generate reports.
• Work with the Director of Advancement Operations to set event budget forecasts, manage event budgets, oversee all financial reporting and data analysis, and ensure accurate tracking of event revenue.
• Contribute to building and maintaining dashboards, event calendars, and workback timelines.
• Support with tracking event key performance areas, identifying items to work on for future events, and collaborating to create sound event strategies for DREAM.
• Oversee the fundraising operations management for the event pipeline with an eye towards integration with the major gifts program development.
• Drive strategy for innovating procedures and ensuring proper management of the event revenue & tracking key event data in Salesforce.
• Drive the gift management procedures, acknowledgment procedures, and database maintenance for all special event activities.
• Lead internal planning meetings across Events, Communications, and Major Gifts teams.
• Oversee day-of event logistics, team assignments, and troubleshooting.
• Ensure smooth cross-functional coordination for volunteers, vendors, and staff roles at events.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• 3+ years of experience planning fundraising or cultivation events in a nonprofit or mission-driven setting.
• Demonstrated success managing or supporting events that drive revenue and build donor loyalty. A keen sense of guest experience and engagement from initial outreach through post-event activities.
• Proven success executing revenue-driving events and building donor engagement.
• Strong project management and problem-solving skills with attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in dynamic environments.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and cross-department collaboration experience.
• Proficiency in Salesforce, Google/Microsoft Suites, and tools like Asana, Cvent, Canva.
• Creative thinker with an eye for event design and guest experience.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Enthusiasm for growing in the field of Special Events and contributing to a mission-driven team.
• A strong belief in the mission and values of DREAM, including the belief that all students can succeed, and a deep desire to make a difference in the lives of our students, families, and community.

Benefits

• Flexible Medical Health Plans, subsidizing the majority of costs for the employee, their spouse/domestic partner and children;
• The ability to select between a variety of medical plans according to what best suits the employee’s needs;
• Dental and vision plans;
• Disability benefits;
• Life insurance;
• Up to 12 weeks fully paid of Parental Leave;
• Flexible spending account options;
• Pre-tax commuter benefits (parking and transit);
• Fitness and entertainment discounts;
• A variety of support through our employee assistance program (EAP);
• 403(b) retirement plan with employer match starting at 4% after one year, with increases tied to DREAM tenure;
• Referral, performance, and tenure milestone bonuses;
• Discounted school meals through our in-house Scratch Food Program;
• Tuition reimbursement support;
• Access to a professional development fund;
• School-based 12-month employees have approximately 48 days off throughout the school year including holidays, school breaks, personal days, and wellness days.