Description

Job Description Summary: The Assistant Director, Donor Events translates strategic goals into experiential outcomes alongside University Advancement partners. In tandem with colleagues, develops, manages and executes events and experiences related to fundraising, cultivation, stewardship and engagement. Produces creative, meaningful events, both large and bespoke, in myriad venues and locations across the country.

*This position is not eligible for sponsorship of non-immigrant or immigrant visa status through Wake Forest University. All eligible applicants are encouraged to apply.

Essential Functions:

Serves as a strategic thinking partner with Unit and Regional teams to develop experiences and events in support of University Advancement projects and initiatives.
Imagines creative, thoughtful experiences with an orientation toward exceptional hospitality.
Plans and executes events both in Winston-Salem and in targeted metropolitan areas across the country.
Collaborates with Advancement partners to develop data-driven invitation lists and event messaging materials and language.
Plans and manages program outline development, program content, speakers, and scripts for all assigned events. Coordinates audio-visual and print assets as needed.
Responsible for event location identification, rental orders, floral arrangements, linen selection, invitations, responses, catering, menu planning, seating assignments, space reservations, parking, security, audio/visual arrangements, budget reporting and coordination of event set-up/strike with all vendors.
Develops and manages event safety plans in partnership with the University’s emergency management team.
Oversees the development of complex travel itineraries when groups of leaders are traveling.
Creates and ensures timely delivery of event briefings to Wake Forest University Administrators, including President’s Office, Trustees, Senior Leadership, Volunteers, etc.
Oversees event budgets and ensures events are kept within scope.
Secures vendor contracts for necessary services.
Tracks projects in project management tool; uses existing templates and creates new ones based on experience to ensure efficient processes with scalable outcomes.
Responsible for internal facilities work orders, transportation and parking requests, security requests, and catering orders, in partnership with Coordinator.
Have high standards for your work and are proud to contribute to a mission-driven organization.
Get excited about the prospect of joining a team that is making a difference in people’s lives every day.
 

Required Education, Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

Bachelor’s degree plus three to five years of direct experience with professional event planning, logistics and/or hospitality.
Knowledge of event planning strategies, processes, and resources.
Ability to manage multiple, complex projects concurrently, superior time management and project management skills.
Ability to be nimble and gracious in the face of changing priorities.
Service-oriented; delights in providing exceptional service to others.
Ability to create a shared vision among those with differing opinions and perspectives.
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, both verbally and written, with a broad range of internal and external constituents.
Exceptional organizational skills
Superior judgment, a strong work ethic, and a keen attention to detail while seeing the big picture.
Resourceful problem-solver.
Comfortable being part of a team that largely works behind the scenes.
Self-starter; ability to think independently and anticipate next steps.
Ability to maintain confidentiality.
Proficiency in Google Suite, Microsoft Office Suite.
Comfortable being part of a team that largely works behind the scenes.
Ability to learn and use customer relationship management systems (Blackbaud CRM preferred), document imaging systems, ClickUp project management system, and event registration systems; develops/refines skills as needed.
Ability to answer moderately complex questions. Proactively seeks additional information to perform assigned duties.
Ability to work evenings and weekends as required.
Ability to travel locally and nationally as necessary.
Ability to perform moderate physical work; ability to exert up to 50 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently and constantly to move objects.
Ability to meet the requirements of the University’s automobile insurance policy.
Respect for the dignity and abilities of all people.
Ability to maintain confidentiality pertaining to information contained in donor records and system data.
 

Preferred Education, Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

Understanding of protocol and etiquette standards.
Ability to make decisions on sensitive, confidential issues to ensure positive outcomes for Wake Forest University.
Previous experience in event management, project or logistics management, or academic (higher educational fundraising) environment.
Familiarity with project management tools and concepts.
 

Accountabilities: 

Responsible for own work.
May supervise a student employee.
 

Physical Requirements and Environmental Conditions:

Sedentary work primarily involving sitting/standing; communicating with others to exchange information; repeating motions that may include the wrists, hands, and/or fingers; and assessing the accuracy, neatness, and thoroughness of the work assigned. Remaining in a stationary position, often standing or sitting for prolonged periods. Moving about to accomplish tasks or moving from one worksite to another. Medium work that includes moving objects up to 50 pounds. No adverse environmental conditions expected; however, may need to execute events in outdoor elements such as precipitation and wind.

Note: This position profile identifies the key responsibilities and expectations for performance. It cannot encompass all specific job tasks that an employee may be required to perform. Employees are required to follow any other job-related instructions and perform job-related duties as may be reasonably assigned by the employee’s supervisor.