The Living Desert is currently seeking an organized, dynamic, results-oriented professional candidate to join our Development team as a Development Events and Corporate Engagement Manager. This full-time, exempt Development manager will work with the Senior Manager, Development, Chief Development Officer, President/CEO, Development staff, and appropriate Board and volunteer committees to progressively build the fundraising capacity of The Living Desert. This position will play both external and internal roles planning, managing, and executing a program of fundraising, cultivation and stewardship events and developing relationships with key business and corporate entities for sponsorships. Key responsibilities include planning and analyzing cost-effective development events, forming relationships with, and soliciting event sponsors and donors for Park events as well as donor-based events, setting revenue goals, coordinating, and managing sponsors, vendors, employees and volunteers for development events.

The Development Events and Corporate Engagement Manager will work with the Senior Manager, Development, Chief Development Officer, President/CEO, Development staff, and appropriate Board and volunteer committees to progressively build the fundraising capacity of The Living Desert. The Manager plans, manages, and executes a program of fundraising, cultivation and stewardship events and develops relationships with key business and corporate entities for sponsorships. 

Key responsibilities include planning and analyzing cost-effective development events, forming relationships with, and soliciting event sponsors and donors for Park events as well as donor-based events, setting revenue goals, coordinating and managing sponsors, vendors, employees and volunteers for development events.    

Specific Tasks:  

I. Development Events Manager (35%)

• Develop and maintain a planning calendar for all donor-related fundraising, cultivation, and stewardship events, receptions, and gatherings for donors, members, and prospects.
• Create and maintain an event checklist and timeline for each event.
• Coordinate planning and progress meetings with appropriate Development staff for each event.
• Secure in-kind donations and underwriting to help cut costs and keep expenses at a minimum.
• Work with Marketing to create a communications calendar for events.
• Manage and coordinate the following aspects of each event: animal requests, entertainment, menu, rentals, lights, room reservation, IT/AV needs, set up, parking, photographer/videographer, security, shuttles and any other details as directed by staff.
• Manage and encourage committees and volunteers. Enlist volunteers to help organize and work events.
• Serve as the primary point of contact with TLD events staff.
• Create a budget for each event and stay within budgetary guidelines.
• Provide details of events to appropriate staff and volunteers.

II. Annual Gala Event Manager (30%)

• Serve as the Development Team leader of the signature Annual Gala event. This position interfaces with all constituents to produce a high-quality event for guests.
• Post-event, work with gift officers to identify prospects from guest lists for cultivation and moves management strategies, ensuring continuing relationships are developed. 

Performance measurement includes but not limited to:

• Event attendance
• Net revenue raised

III. Corporate Engagement Manager (20%)

• Work closely with Park Services to create and secure annual sponsorships and underwriting goals for park events from individuals, corporate, and business relationships. This requires developing outside community relationships through various external and internal TLD channels.
• Identify and cultivate new corporate prospects.
• Manage and implement strategy for business memberships. Strengthen and build the program by increasing members and revenue.

Performance measurement includes but not limited to:

• Number of new corporate donors
• Number of renewed corporate donors & increased giving
• Revenue generated by corporate efforts

IV. General Fundraising Support (15%)

• Other related responsibilities as necessary to accomplish Department objectives and as assigned by the Senior Manager, Development, e.g., conducting private tours for prospects and donors. Steward and develop donors as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibility

• Supervise volunteers and other staff members during special events. Must have leadership experience and skills to successfully manage events.

This class specification should not be interpreted as all inclusive. It is intended to identify the major responsibilities and requirements of this job. The incumbents may be requested to perform job-related responsibilities and tasks other than those stated in this specification.

Qualifications:

MINIMUM EDUCATION/CERTIFICATION REQUIRED: Bachelor’s Degree in a related field (hospitality, business administration, sales/marketing preferred) or equivalent Fund-Raising Certification (CFRE).

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE REQUIRED: Four years’ recent experience in development or business with an emphasis on administrative skills, customer service, and event planning. 

SKILLS REQUIRED: Previous background should include demonstrated ability to work with others in developing donor relationships and special events for a business or nonprofit organization; must be excellent communicator, both verbally and in writing; demonstrated ability to deal appropriately with individuals from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences; well-versed in the protocols of fund development related to elevating donors to greater levels of giving (i.e., moves management); proficient working knowledge of fundraising database programs, and Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, etc.).

OTHER: Must hold a valid California driver’s license and be insurable on The Living Desert’s automobile policy.

Specific Skills:

• Understanding of basic principles of Development and donor-based special events fundraising.
• Cultivating and stewarding donors in a membership-based organization.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office software.
• Proficiency with constituent relationship management system databases.
• Outstanding organizational skills.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to develop and work within an established budget.
• Ability to respond to and handle problems in a positive, service-oriented manner.
• Willingness to form professional networking relationships with other institutions and local businesses.
• Ability to work with others in a team setting. 
• Work in a department where hands-on participation is needed.

Equipment Used: computer, copy/fax machine, golf cart, printer, scanner, telephone, two-way radio.

Physical Position Description:

ESSENTIAL PHYSICAL TASKS: Sitting at a workstation for limited periods of time; working on a computer for limited periods of time, standing, walking, sitting, bending, twisting, and reaching motions; occasionally carrying items weighing up to 50 pounds; driving a golf cart safely with guests. Able to stand/walk for extended periods of time, related to event management. Physical labor is required when setting up and breaking down for events.

TYPICAL WORKING CONDITIONS: Working in an office environment – no unusual  

exposures; working outdoors in extreme heat or moderate cold for periods of time; occasional work off-grounds in the community.

HOLIDAY/EVENING WORK: Regular holiday/evening work for special events, especially during “season”

TRAVEL: Occasional local and long-distance travel may be required.