Vice President of Events

Make-A-Wish Greater Bay Area is a wish granting organization. Together, we create life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. Our Chapter serves children from Monterey to the Oregon border west of Interstate 5. Each wish is unique and is the dream of a child who is critically ill, the resulting smiles speak volumes to the healing effects of a wish come true.  Our vision is to grant the wish of every eligible child which will require increasing referrals, growth of volunteer base, expanded donations of in-kind and cash gifts and broadened communication across our entire territory. 

The Vice President of Events (VP of Events) will provide management, leadership and accountability for the performance and success of fundraising events and strategies to meet Make-A-Wish revenue goals. Reporting to the Chief Development Officer (CDO), the VP of Events will supervise and coach members of the Make-A-Wish events team, including the Events Associate, and the Events Manager. S/he will be responsible for designing and implementing all Make-A-Wish Greater Bay Area fundraising events, including the Evening of Wishes Gala, Walk for Wishes and all external events (third party events) with a department revenue goal of $2 million annually. S/he will develop and manage a strategic plan of both internal and external events that will support the organization’s goal of identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding individual donors to meet annual revenue goals.

This position is required to work in the MAW office at least 2 days a week (Tuesday and Wednesday) as part of the hybrid work model.

AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY:

Department Management

• Design, manage and evaluate a comprehensive program of special events (fundraising and cultivation/donor recognition) in support of the organization’s fundraising goals
• Determine and monitor annual event revenue goals and the strategies and metrics needed to meet or exceed them
• Develop and manage the Make-A-Wish events budget, monitoring monthly revenue and expense projections and established metrics Lead efforts to identify and embrace new opportunities to grow and expand revenue from the organization’s portfolio of events – internal and external Support and guide the Make-A-Wish Events team toward its annual goals and other performance objectives
• Train, Supervise and review the performance of the Events Manager and Events Associate.
• Work with the CEO, CDO and other staff to manage the cultivation, solicitation and stewardship process for event and non-event donors and prospects
• Manage a tailored portfolio of assigned prospective donors at various stages in the cultivation/solicitation cycle as event guests and event committee leaders
• Work with the CEO, CDO and members of the leadership team to formulate and implement plans to meet the organization’s short- and long-term objectives
• Recruit, support and staff high-level volunteer event committees and participate in Board of Directors and Board Development Committee meetings

Internal Events Oversight

• Undertake a systematic process to review and reconceptualize the number and scope of current fundraising special events for the organization.
• Current events include: Evening of Wishes Gala, Walk for Wishes, Brave the Bay and the Chapter’s Annual Meeting Select and manage the work of event contractors and vendors overseeing event execution.
• Select vendors and negotiate contracts that may include gifts-in-kind
• Collaborate with marketing team to develop effective collateral for events (website, email, scripts, etc.)
• Direct Events Associate and Events Manager in planning and soliciting items for live and silent auctions
• Oversee and track external event programs and revenue Work with the CEO and CDO to design a program of cultivation/stewardship events

External (Third Party) Events Oversight

• Undertake a systematic process to review and reconceptualize the number and scope of current fundraising special events produced by third parties to benefit the organization.
• External Events range from small scale school based fundraising activities to large scale golf tournaments raising $100k+. 

• Oversee and track external event programs and revenue Direct Events Associate and Events Manager in supporting, cultivating and stewarding External Event hosts as well as prospecting for new External Event hosts
• Collaborate with marketing team to develop effective collateral for external events (website, email, toolkits, etc.)
• Work with the CDO to design a stewardship program for External Event hosts

Administration

• Collaborate with Corporate Development and Individual Giving teams to steward high-level donors and grow the organization’s donor base 
• Complete and file prompt contact reports and build information on individual donors and prospects in the database. Assist with the maintenance of accurate donor database information
• Review and monitor revenue accounting and reporting systems in a timely manner
• Prepare reports and provide information as requested and required; oversee project budgets and maintain financial records for events
• Ensure the confidentiality and security of proprietary and donor information
• Represent Make-A-Wish positively and professionally throughout the community

EXPERIENCE/COMPETENCIES

• 10+ years non-profit development/event experience;
• 5+ year of staff supervisory experience
• Demonstrated experience developing and managing departmental budgets and business plans
• Demonstrated success in developing, promoting, and managing fundraising events
• Experience in Peer-to-Peer Fundraising and soliciting corporate sponsorships
• Experience as an effective leader with an organization, both of a specific team(s) and organization wide
• Knowledge of Bay Area philanthropy, both individual and institutional, a plus
• Commitment to the Make-A-Wish mission Customer-service oriented, team-player, and open to collaboration on a wide range of projects
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent preferred but not required A high level of initiative, attention to detail and strong organization skills
• Strong verbal and written communication skills 
• Skill in successfully managing multiple projects on tight deadlines, with limited budgets and under pressure in a dynamic and open environment
• Unquestionable integrity and commitment to professional ethics, and the ability to responsibly handle sensitive and confidential information
• Excellent computer skills in PC environment necessary, desktop publishing, Excel, and Salesforce experience preferred;
• Greater Giving experience a plus

Physical Demands and Required Abilities

The physical demands and required abilities described here are representative of those that must be met to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Consistent attendance on a day-to-day basis required
• Ability to sit, read, write, type and speak for extended periods of time. The employee is occasionally required to move around the office
• Ability to multi-task regularly and to work efficiently in a fast-paced environment, work under deadlines and manage a high volume of work
• Ability to concentrate and focus for extended periods of time.
• Ability to read and interpret data, information, and documents.
• Ability to look at a computer screen for extended periods working to monitor and respond to streams of communication in multiple platforms simultaneously (i.e. MS Outlook, MS Teams, phone, etc).
• Ability to work well with others and interact frequently and positively in person, by phone/video, by email or electronic chat.
• Ability to travel (drive/get access to transportation), dependent on organization needs, within the 17-county territory surrounding the office in Oakland, CA. 
• Ability to undertake occasional weekend and evening work for fundraising and donor recognition events Ability to stand and walk for long periods of time during events Ability to lift up to 40 pounds at times

COMPENSATION

• Salary range of $125,000-$140,000 based on skills and experience
• Full-time, exempt (salaried) position
• Fully benefited position with 100% premium paid for employee for sponsored plans, including 4% retirement match
• PTO (paid time off) starts at 17 days a year (accrued each pay period)
• Paid holidays and other paid time off (i.e. employee appreciation days) – 22 days a year

TO APPLY
Send a letter of interest and resume to:  
VP of Events Search
Make-A-Wish Greater Bay Area  
jobs@sf.wish.org  

Office Location: 
1333 Broadway, Suite 200  
Oakland, CA 94612