Advancement Special Events Manager

The Office of Advancement directly supports UNCSA's mission and strategic priorities by building meaningful relationships with a variety of constituents and developing opportunities at all levels of alumni, volunteer, and philanthropic engagement. The Office of Advancement works closely with the UNCSA Foundation, which provides oversight of philanthropic gifts to UNCSA, including gift processing and records management. This is an exciting, fast-paced team made up of talented colleagues who are passionate about their work, strive for excellence, support and care about each other, and work to embody the values of equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging.

The Advancement Special Events Manager produces approximately 40 donor events per academic year, including but not limited to receptions, luncheons, fundraisers, trips, and virtual or hybrid events. The Special Events Manager also provides event management support to the Alumni Office and serves as a resource to other departments on campus tasked with planning events.

Standard work schedule 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM, Monday - Friday, occasional nights and weekends may be required.

Design, manage and execute approximately 40 strategic, purpose-driven, engaging donor events per academic year

Ensure that every event produced by the Advancement Office advances UNCSA's brand and has a purpose and metrics for success

Serve as the primary lead for campaign events, overseeing strategy, planning, execution, and event outcomes.

Develop event strategies that incorporate metrics, sponsorships, and engagement initiatives to attract and retain new and existing supporters.

Collaborate with gift officers to develop invitation lists

Develop event briefing and staff timeline documents

Develop and oversee event budgets including tracking invoices, preparing check requests and budget reconciliation

Draft event communications and remarks

Partner with Strategic Communications to develop comprehensive marketing/PR plan to promote events and to develop and produce event content (i.e. videos)

Oversee benefit fulfillment for event sponsors

Supervise Special Events Coordinator

Utilize effective negotiation to ensure school's funds are best used for event production

Develop and maintain positive relationships with new and established vendors and event sponsors

Regularly update the Advancement Office's special events guidebook and policies and procedures documents

Provide exceptional customer service that drives positive survey feedback and high Net Promoter Scores ( NPS).

Maintain events in Raiser's Edge database

Support stewardship efforts of the Advancement Office including but not limited to coordinating and creating gifts, swag

Remain informed of emerging trends and best practices in special events by actively participating in conferences, workshops, and webinars.

Bachelor's degree and one year of experience related to the area of assignment; or equivalent combination of training and experience. All degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.

3-5 years of relevant experience in the area of assignment.
Budget preparation and management
Experience with Raiser's Edge, Raiser's Edge NXT
Proven track record of producing fundraising events that meet or exceed fundraising goals
Contract negotiation
Virtual and hybrid event experience
Production experience with a variety of engagement and conferencing platforms beyond Zoom, Zoom Webinar and Microsoft Teams

- Excellent communication
- Project management
- Attention to detail
- Organization
- Customer service
- Budget preparation and management
- Contract negotiation
- Virtual and hybrid event experience
- Proven track record of producing fundraising events that meet or exceed fundraising goals
- Experience with Raiser's Edge, Raiser's Edge NXT
- Willingness to travel as requested, and attend evening and weekend events
- Ability to command credibility and respect in forming trusting relationships across the University Open and accessible interpersonal style
- Openness to new ideas and their implementation. Ability to react and adapt to changing situations appropriately
- Superb organizational skills, and the ability to work independently.
- Excellent skill and understanding of technology as a tool, and its applications in special events.
- 3-5 years of relevant experience in the area of assignment.
- Production experience with a variety of engagement and conferencing platforms beyond Zoom, Zoom Webinar and Microsoft Teams
- Experience leading a production team-both for virtual and in-person events
- Experience with event marketing and/or donor relations
- Experience with producing events for policy makers, dignitaries, and high-ranking officials
- Experience working within the UNC System or in higher education
- Knowledge of higher education fundraising

This is an Exempt Professional Staff ( EPS) position. The application must be completed in full detail (including work history) for your qualifications to be considered. Failure to complete the application process as required by state regulations will result in your application being rejected for the vacancy, and you will not be considered for the position. The UNCSA participates in E-Verify. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States. Final candidates are subject to criminal background checks.

The University of North Carolina School of the Arts provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination, harassment, or retaliation based on race, religion, color, national origin, ethnicity, sex, pregnancy, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, political affiliation, National Guard or veteran status, genetic information, or disability.

EEO Contact Information
Applicants needing assistance with the application process are asked to contact: suttonar@uncsa.edu