AVP, Major Gifts Event Strategy

Metairie, LA, United States

WHO WE ARE:

The National Multiple Sclerosis Society mobilizes people and resources to drive research for a cure and to address the challenges of everyone affected by MS. To fulfill this mission, the Society funds cutting-edge research, drives change through advocacy, facilitates professional education, collaborates with MS organizations around the world, and provides programs and services designed to help people with MS and their families move their lives forward. We partner with volunteers to accomplish our work. Staff members engage volunteers through effective and timely communications, facilitating meaningful opportunities, and continually seeking and providing feedback for reciprocal growth and learning.

The AVP, Major Gifts Event Strategy (Leadership and other events) will serve as a strategic partner by leading innovative, engaging, impactful events around the country to empower the achievement of the Society's objectives. This position in coordination with the VP of Major & Planned Giving will align the development and execution of a comprehensive events strategy, collaborating with leaders across the country, to integrate strategic fundraising strategy into events. This position is responsible for increasing revenue, retention and acquisition of donors through consistent identification, exceptional engagement, timely solicitation and relevant stewardship.

The position will be expected to manage, steward and coach staff and internal partners in meeting their revenue targets.

Travel is an essential element of this position. Essential Functions / Responsibility:

Integration of Fundraising and Event Strategy Across Chapters and Functions (50%)

As a member of the Individual Giving Leadership Team, activate strategic fundraising plans for leadership events and oversee national execution of the Society-wide approach to leadership events. Develop strategy to further integrate fundraising strategy into overall local and national strategy.

Drive innovation, plans, and strategies within the Leadership Events Experience team.

Oversee the Event Experience team to manage all aspects of event planning and execution and ensure gold-standard excellence through every event.

Oversee the development, management, and reporting of leadership event budgets, ensuring optimal allocation of resources, cost efficiencies, and sound decision making.

This role will require collaboration with the Revenue team, Marketing department and other internal and external stakeholders to ensure alignment of activations and events with organizational goals.

Assess and communicate ongoing training needs helping the Individual Giving leadership team create a culture for an exceptional donor leadership event experiences and ongoing refinement of donor strategic moves that will optimize the donor pipeline from events to other functional areas in addition.

Develops most effective ways to deploy resources to opportunity across the organization clearly outlining the roles and accountability of each person in development and those that have accountability to Leadership and other events to ensure the Society is well-positioned in a rapidly evolving fundraising environment and

Expands revenue through the identification, assessment, and seamless execution of development plans tailored to Leadership Events and other niche market-specific occasions.

Develops and provides accountability to processes that enable rapid adoption of successful tactics into every market plan.

Create plans to ensure corporate partnerships and donor relationships result in more effective operations and/or growth in leadership event participation and revenue.

Collaborate with President and leadership events team to ensure understanding and adherence to centralized event and fundraising functions, communicate areas of opportunity, areas needing additional staff or resources.

Continually refine events processes and procedures and ensures that changes are communicated effectively to each market.

Staff Supervision (20%)

Responsible for the hiring, onboarding, and continued development of direct reports.

Conduct regular check-ins to monitor progress, provide feedback, and offer guidance and support where needed to ensure staff are fully supported in their role.

Ensures staff have the tools, knowledge, and resources necessary to perform job duties effectively and professional development opportunities.

Coach and collaborate on goal-setting and professional development plans and conduct formal and informal performance conversations.

Hold staff accountable to the cultural values of the organization and ensure they follow Society operating principles.

Lead a high performing virtual team with trust, clarity, shared goals, and celebrated wins.

Integration of Marketing and Brand Awareness (15%)

Work closely with marketing and communication to develop an integrated marketing and communication plan to strengthen Leadership and Special Events brand awareness focused on acquisition and revenue growth.

Maintain brand continuity and high standards for brand usage across leadership events.

Ensure that the brand is recognizable and prominent at leadership events.

Strategic Assessment of Events (5%)

Develop a data tracking system and leverage data analytics to measure the effectiveness of events, gain actionable insights, and make data-driven decisions.

Strategize optimal resource allocation across the organization while clearly defining individual responsibilities and accountability across development and to others that have accountability to leadership events to position the Society to thrive amidst an ever-changing fundraising landscape,

Conduct strategic assessments of existing leadership events strengths and opportunities in each chapter and based on this assessment, works with the event team, development staff and Presidents to implement programs to grow market capacity and outreach

Minimum Experience:

At least 10 years of combined leadership and development experience including five to eight years in a senior fundraising position within a non-profit organization.

Advanced understanding of event strategy and implementation.

Essential that the AVP has a track record in making strategic donor relationship management decisions. Decision making ranges in complexity but requires confidentiality and the ability to collaborate with all involved in the relationship team.

Able to assess staff talent, mentor and train others toward a shared vision with a proven ability to influence and provide strategic guidance and mentorship to staff to ensure they meet their designated revenue goals.

Demonstrates the ability to hold all others accountable for their performance, to anticipate, avoid or manage conflict, and to make difficult decisions when necessary.

Ability to utilize KPI's budgeting and analytics to drive measurable results and focus resources on work that will excel revenue growth.

Experience in creating and delivering organization initiatives and experiences involving significant dollar amounts and implications.

Ability to manage multiple priorities, complex situations and strong relationship and communication skills to provide leadership to many constituents internal and external.

Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills absolutely required. Must communicate professionally with executive leadership, staff and a variety of national and chapter board members and event committee members to build productive relationships with top donors and prospects.

Strong relationship building and communication skills with the ability to build trust and motivate staff and volunteers to perform at their best to achieve strategic business outputs

Technical/Other:

Intermediate knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and donor database tools and reports.

Ability to use Microsoft Teams and lead web-based presentations, as well as Facebook and LinkedIn.

Experience using donor prospecting and management tools, prescribed donor database management practices, and in generating queries and reports to guide staff performance is required. Salesforce experience preferred.

Excellent verbal and written communication skills, strong analytical skills, highly organized, and able to mediate, negotiate and resolve conflicts independently.

Uses an independent working style and facilitates regular and productive communication with direct supervisor and executive leadership.

Knowledge of industry standards, current trends, and best practices.

CFRE is a plus

Compensation and Benefits Info:

Estimatedhiringcompensation range for this role is $96,000 - $121,332 annually. Final offers will be based on candidategeographic location and consider career experienceandmay vary from this range due to theseand otherfactors.

The National Multiple Sclerosis Society provides a highly competitive, comprehensive benefit package to employees. These benefits include a considerable Paid Time Off Plan; Paid Holidays; 401k Retirement Savings Plan with Society match; Educational Reimbursement Plan; Professional Development Assistance; Commuter Benefit Plan; Flexible Work Arrangement Options; Comprehensive Health & Welfare benefits including Medical, Dental, Vision, Flex Spending Accounts, Life Insurance, Disability Coverage, Life Assistance Plan as well as additional voluntary benefit offerings.

The Society has a career framework that is our foundation of a clear, consistent structure for growth and careers. It is comprised of career bands and career levels, as well as functions and disciplines, that together, capture the Society's positions and work.

This position is in the Management career band and a level of 3 (M3).

The National MS Society is committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce. We strive to create a workforce that reflects the communities we serve and where everyone feels empowered to bring their authentic selves to work. We need you and your unique talents and perspectives to help us write the last chapter on MS.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:

We appreciate your consideration of our job opportunities and strive to make it as effortless as possible to apply for our positions. With only a few required sections and the option to use our resume parsing tool, we aim to streamline the application experience, saving you time and effort. Additionally, if you wish to include a cover letter with your application, please feel free to attach it along with your resume , and any other documents required, to the Resume/CV document upload section at the bottom of the My Experience page. We appreciate your interest in joining our team and look forward to receiving your application!

Important : Please check the job posting to see if a Cover Letter or any other documents are required for the position you are applying to. You will not be able to modify your application after you submit it. The My Experience page is the only opportunity to add your cover letter and supporting document attachments. If you experience any trouble submitting your materials, please check out our FAQ & Contact Us page.

The National MS Society is committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce. We strive to create a workforce that reflects the communities we serve and where everyone feels empowered to bring their authentic selves to work. We need you and your unique talents and perspectives to help us write the last chapter on MS.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:

We appreciate your consideration of our job opportunities and strive to make it as effortless as possible to apply for our positions. With only a few required sections and the option to use our resume parsing tool, we aim to streamline the application experience, saving you time and effort. Additionally, if you wish to include a cover letter with your application, please feel free to attach it along with your resume , and any other documents required, to the Resume/CV document upload section at the bottom of the My Experience page. We appreciate your interest in joining our team and look forward to receiving your application!

Important : Please check the job posting to see if a Cover Letter or any other documents are required for the position you are applying to. You will not be able to modify your application after you submit it. The My Experience page is the only opportunity to add your cover letter and supporting document attachments. If you experience any trouble submitting your materials, please check out our FAQ & Contact Us page.