Director of Special Events
Location
Bethesda, MD | United States
Job description
Landon is a diverse community committed to creating an environment where boys are encouraged to strive, reach, and endeavor towards becoming their best selves. This is done through our teacher-coach-mentor model of instruction, our caring and dedicated faculty, and a robust co-curricular program.
The Director of Special Events is a critical position in the Development office that is integral in building on the school’s philanthropic success. This person will be responsible for conceptualizing and executing events that not only raise funds but also strengthen the sense of community. Reporting to the Director of Development, and with the support of a dedicated team, they will oversee a range of events, from intimate dinners and ceremonies to large-scale festivals and celebrations. The role requires an experienced events fundraiser with expertise in producing various types of events and a demonstrated ability to engage diverse constituent audiences. The Director will be a key player in stewarding relationships with the school’s families, trustees, alumni, faculty, parents, and staff.
- Responsible for all fundraising and special event planning, logistics, and execution both locally and regionally, including the Azalea Festival; Holiday Market; Oyster Roast; Commencement; faculty and staff events; Leadership Council; Head of School events, donor receptions, alumni events, and special visiting days for parents, grandparents, or special friends.
- Manage all areas of event planning, including but not limited to event design, menu planning, invitations/RSVPs, seating charts, materials production, vendor relations, coordination with Landon’s B&G team, and volunteer coordination.
- Develop and implement stewardship, fundraising, and cultivation events in coordination with all offices throughout the School.
- Recruit, educate, and supervise volunteers to participate in and work on events.
- Supervise staff assigned to special events.
- Track revenue and expenses and balance budgets for fundraising events.
- Act as the primary liaison with vendors participating in various special events. This requires tracking all contract information, agreements, dates, commission payments, vendor donations, registration fees, etc.
- Contribute content for social media and e-communications pertaining to the Azalea Festival, Holiday Market, and special events for parents, students, faculty, and staff.
- Maintain all content on the Givesmart online auction and sponsorship platform used for the Azalea Festival and Holiday Market, including setup of the auction catalog, uploading photos, and item descriptions.
- Maintain all pertinent information ahead of auction events: donations items, event sponsorships- both paid and pledges outstanding, all related invoices and expenses.
- Update content on the Azalea Festival pages of the Landon website in collaboration with the Communications Department
- Act as primary liaison on internal School events, managing vendor relationships, communications, itineraries, calendars, facility usage, and other logistics.
- Maintain volunteer records.
- Support event attendance, registration, and coordination.
- Manage online event software.
- Other duties as assigned by the Director of Development.
- Bachelor’s degree preferred
- At least 5 years experience in fundraising event management with a proven ability to lead all phases of event planning and execution.
- Ability to deal diplomatically and comfortably with a diverse community of alumni, parents of alumni, and current families (parents and grandparents)
- Experience in fundraising, sales/marketing, advertising, public relations, communications, annual giving, and alumni relations preferred
- Exceptional written and oral communication, interpersonal, and leadership skills
- High degree of organization and the ability to multi-task
- Calm under pressure with a sense of humor
- Passion for accuracy and detail
- Computer fluency (Raisers Edge, Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, at a minimum) -- strong familiarity with web content management Canva, GiveSmart
About Landon School
Landon School is committed to the ethical, intellectual, and personal development of boys. We challenge and inspire them to think deeply, individually, and broadly; to live with respect and honor; and to grow into healthy, well-rounded men of integrity and character who seek to make a positive difference in the world around them.
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