Museum Vision and Mission:

MOHAI is treasured locally and respected nationally as a vibrant resource where history inspires us to be our best, individually and collectively. By collecting and preserving artifacts and stories of our diverse history, MOHAI highlights our regional tradition of innovation and imagination. Through compelling exhibits, scholarship, education, public programs, and community engagement, MOHAI bridges the past, present, and future. MOHAI is a place and a community of people with histories of successes and failures that: bind us together; amuse, disturb, and inspire us; inform and guide us; and deepen our connection with our heritage.

Position Title:                      Donor Events Manager

Reports to:                             Director of Development

Location(s):                            MOHAI, Resource Center at Georgetown & Lake Union Park’s history Armory building

Classification                        Exempt, Full-time, Salaried

Schedule:                               Weekdays with occasional evenings and weekends

Benefits include:               Medical and dental insurance and eligible for participation in 403 (b) savings plan

Position Description:

The Donor Events Manager is responsible for planning, managing, and executing all fund raising and donor stewardship/membership events, and for meeting the annual contributed income goals for special events. This position includes major donor cultivation and stewardship, extensive analytics, and vendor relations and negotiation. The activities of this role support a broad range of organizational goals by aligning event strategy with the organization’s strategic plan and growth initiatives. This position is a member of the Development Dept.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide sophisticated and detailed event planning, project management, and choreography (run-of-show, script development) for MOHAI fundraising/stewardship events including, but not limited to, History Makers Gala and auction, Innovation Breakfast, Heritage Circle reception, major donor events, members’ exhibit openings and annual member night.
• Develop and monitor an annual donor events strategy with individual and corporate income as part of the overall Development Plan. Establish quarterly revenue projections.
• Create and monitor budgets and prepare comprehensive analysis of events, including fundraising goals vs actuals (income and expense), year to year comparisons, live and silent auction performance, raise the paddle, etc.
• Engage Trustees and key stakeholders in active involvement with individual solicitation, stewardship, and planning events; Provide leadership and oversight of special event committees, primarily History Makers.
• Develop event objectives and recommend production and experiential elements that advance the event goals and secure/retain donor and member interest and participation. Secure guest speakers as needed.
• Negotiate contracts, discounts, and in-kind contributions with vendors including caterers, wineries, rental companies, videographers, lighting/AV, musicians, etc.
• Oversee procurement and tracking of live and silent auction items.
• Work with Volunteer Resources to recruit and manage volunteers for all events.
• Complete post-event tasks including evaluation of all event elements, recommendations for improvement, donor communications and acknowledgement, and reconciliation of budget and vendor payments in conjunction with Controller’s office.
• Work with Data Manager & Analyst and Development Coordinator to ensure accurate financial coding and gift acknowledgement.
• Work cooperatively with Membership Manager to plan and execute member events.
• Work with MOHAI Marketing Department to develop printed materials, PowerPoints, videos, e-marketing strategy, advertising, and branding.
• Work cooperatively with MOHAI’s private events staff regarding facility scheduling and logistics.
• Work with MOHAI Leadership Team and other program staff to develop event vision and story, videos, and staff participation.
• Work with Development team members to develop and maintain cohesive post-event stewardship plans for individual, foundation, and corporate prospects and donors.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent development/fundraising certification preferred.
• Three (3) years of experience in planning and executing complex nonprofit fund raising events.
• Demonstrated success in meeting established fund raising goals.
• Detail oriented project management.
• Solid knowledge of fundraising best practices and the role of special events in a comprehensive development program.
• Able to provide nimble negotiating, budgeting, project management, and analytical skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including strong written and oral communication with diverse constituents.
• High degree of creativity and up-to-date knowledge of event trends
• Ability to work under pressure and manage multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Ability to provide direction, delegate tasks and garner cooperation among multiple internal departments and volunteers to ensure the successful execution of events.
• Ability to clearly communicate, lead meetings, present reports and support committee engagement.
• Team player, accountable, collaborative, discrete, results oriented.
• Strong computer skills with proficiency in MS Word, Excel, Outlook, Greater Giving and experience with donor databases such as Blackbaud Altru.
• Available to work evening and weekend hours as needed.
• Enthusiasm for MOHAI’s exhibits, programs, and mission.

Museum Overview:

For more than 60 years, MOHAI has been dedicated to enriching lives by preserving, sharing, and teaching the diverse history of Seattle, the Puget Sound region and the nation. With a collection of nearly 4 million artifacts, photographs, oral histories and archival items, and an expansive schedule of exhibits and programs, MOHAI is the region’s premier history center. MOHAI operates a dramatic and award-winning museum in Lake Union Park in Seattle’s vibrant South Lake Union neighborhood, and a Resource Center in Seattle’s Georgetown neighborhood. MOHAI also hosts the Bezos Center for Innovation, focusing on the history and future of innovation in the Puget Sound region.

MOHAI is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, and is an official affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution. For more information, please visit www.mohai.org.

To Apply:

Please e-mail letter of interest, resume, and three references to: [email protected]

No phone calls, please.

MOHAI is a 501(C)3 Organization and an Equal Opportunity Employer.