To apply, please visit American Jewish Word Service’s career site. Please do not contact Gabriel Blau or employed associates in application for this position.
Overview of AJWS
American Jewish World Service (AJWS) is the leading Jewish organization working to promote human rights and end poverty in the developing world. AJWS advances the health and rights of women, girls and LGBT people; promotes civil and political rights; defends access to food, land and water; and aids communities in the aftermath of disasters. We pursue lasting change by granting approximately $40 million annually to more than 500 grassroots and global human rights organizations in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean and by mobilizing our community in the U.S. to advocate for global justice. Working together, we strive to build a more just and equitable world.
Position Summary
Reporting to the Vice President for Development, the Director of Special Events will be responsible for developing a strategy to raise AJWS’s public profile and engage AJWS’s community of donors. The Director will lead staff to execute polished, substantive, and successful gatherings, including annual galas, parlor events, speakers’ series, and policy-oriented symposia designed to elevate AJWS’s work nationwide. The Director will also have oversight responsibility for AJWS’s international study tour program.
The Director of Special Events must be creative and detail-oriented, capable of planning ahead proactively and responding quickly to developments on short notice. The Director must be able to work harmoniously with colleagues from a wide array of departments – Program, Communications, Finance, Major Gifts, and Development Operations. The Director will supervise a staff of three people, and will collaborate closely with other directors in Development. The Director should understand the non-profit development world and should have familiarity with and passion for international human rights, economic development, and/or Jewish social justice work.
Responsibilities
- Set and meet annual and long term goals for special events at AJWS; specifically, around the annual gala;
- Demonstrate creativity and bring new and exciting ideas and concepts to all major events in order to ensure high quality events that maximize impact while remaining cost-effective;
- Promote the success of fundraising events by developing and managing detailed and well vetted invitation and solicitation lists and coordinating closely with staff and leadership;
- Develop tracking and reporting tools to measure success of events and accurate understanding of the ROI for each event;
- In coordination with Communications, prepare event materials including invitations, marketing materials and speaking points for all presenters;
- Supervise staff and consultants to ensure the special events team is meeting all goals;
- Stay abreast of trends, venues, vendors and technologies related to special events; and
- Prepare and maintain budgets for all special events.
Qualifications
- At least 10 years of professional event planning or fundraising experience;
- Experience organizing and implementing annually 700+ person galas;
- Impeccable editorial and organizational skills;
- Experience working with major donors in a non-profit;
- Previous management experience;
- Commitment to the mission and values of AJWS;
- Substantive knowledge of international human rights and development issues; and
- Familiarity with the Jewish philanthropic community and other philanthropy.
Additional Considerations:
People of color; lesbian, gay, bisexual, intersex, trans and gender non-conforming people; women; and differently abled people are encouraged to apply. We also encourage applications from people of diverse religious, spiritual and cultural backgrounds.
Authorization to work in the US is required.
How to Apply
For immediate consideration, click on the link to apply below. Applications submitted without a resume and personalized cover letter will not be considered.