Assistant Director, Donor Events

External Applicants: 

Please ensure all required documents are ready to upload before beginning your application, including your resume, cover letter, and any additional materials specified in the job description.

Cover Letter and Supporting Documents:

• Navigate to the "My Experience" application page.

• Locate the "Resume/CV" document upload section at the bottom of the page.

• Use the "Select Files" button to upload your cover letter, resume, and any other required supporting documents. You can select multiple files.

Important Note: The "My Experience" page is the only opportunity to attach your cover letter, resume, and supporting documents. You will not be able to modify your application or add attachments after submission.

Current Employees:

Apply from your existing Workday account in the Jobs Hub. Do not apply from this website. 

A cover letter is required for all positions; optional for facilities, campus services, and hospitality roles unless otherwise specified.

Job Description Summary

Summary:

The Assistant Director, Donor Events translates strategic goals into experiential outcomes alongside University Advancement partners. In tandem with colleagues, develops, manages and executes events and experiences related to fundraising, cultivation, stewardship and engagement. Produces creative, meaningful events, both large and bespoke, in myriad venues and locations across the country.

*This position is not eligible for sponsorship of non-immigrant or immigrant visa status through Wake Forest University. All eligible applicants are encouraged to apply.

Job Description

Essential Functions:

• Serves as a strategic thinking partner with Unit and Regional teams to develop experiences and events in support of University Advancement projects and initiatives.
• Imagines creative, thoughtful experiences with an orientation toward exceptional hospitality.
• Plans and executes events both in Winston-Salem and in targeted metropolitan areas across the country.
• Collaborates with Advancement partners to develop data-driven invitation lists and event messaging materials and language.
• Plans and manages program outline development, program content, speakers, and scripts for all assigned events. Coordinates audio-visual and print assets as needed.
• Responsible for event location identification, rental orders, floral arrangements, linen selection, invitations, responses, catering, menu planning, seating assignments, space reservations, parking, security, audio/visual arrangements, budget reporting and coordination of event set-up/strike with all vendors.
• Develops and manages event safety plans in partnership with the University’s emergency management team.
• Oversees the development of complex travel itineraries when groups of leaders are traveling.
• Creates and ensures timely delivery of event briefings to Wake Forest University Administrators, including President’s Office, Trustees, Senior Leadership, Volunteers, etc.
• Oversees event budgets and ensures events are kept within scope.
• Secures vendor contracts for necessary services.
• Tracks projects in project management tool; uses existing templates and creates new ones based on experience to ensure efficient processes with scalable outcomes.
• Responsible for internal facilities work orders, transportation and parking requests, security requests, and catering orders, in partnership with Coordinator.
• Have high standards for your work and are proud to contribute to a mission-driven organization.
• Get excited about the prospect of joining a team that is making a difference in people’s lives every day.

Required Education, Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

• Bachelor’s degree plus three to five years of direct experience with professional event planning, logistics and/or hospitality.
• Knowledge of event planning strategies, processes, and resources.
• Ability to manage multiple, complex projects concurrently, superior time management and project management skills.
• Ability to be nimble and gracious in the face of changing priorities.
• Service-oriented; delights in providing exceptional service to others.
• Ability to create a shared vision among those with differing opinions and perspectives.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, both verbally and written, with a broad range of internal and external constituents.
• Exceptional organizational skills
• Superior judgment, a strong work ethic, and a keen attention to detail while seeing the big picture.
• Resourceful problem-solver.
• Comfortable being part of a team that largely works behind the scenes.
• Self-starter; ability to think independently and anticipate next steps.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Proficiency in Google Suite, Microsoft Office Suite.
• Comfortable being part of a team that largely works behind the scenes.
• Ability to learn and use customer relationship management systems (Blackbaud CRM preferred), document imaging systems, ClickUp project management system, and event registration systems; develops/refines skills as needed.
• Ability to answer moderately complex questions. Proactively seeks additional information to perform assigned duties.
• Ability to work evenings and weekends as required.
• Ability to travel locally and nationally as necessary.
• Ability to perform moderate physical work; ability to exert up to 50 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently and constantly to move objects.
• Ability to meet the requirements of the University’s automobile insurance policy.
• Respect for the dignity and abilities of all people.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality pertaining to information contained in donor records and system data.

Preferred Education, Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

• Understanding of protocol and etiquette standards.
• Ability to make decisions on sensitive, confidential issues to ensure positive outcomes for Wake Forest University.
• Previous experience in event management, project or logistics management, or academic (higher educational fundraising) environment.
• Familiarity with project management tools and concepts.

Accountabilities:

• Responsible for own work.
• May supervise a student employee.

Physical Requirements and Environmental Conditions:

Sedentary work primarily involving sitting/standing; communicating with others to exchange information; repeating motions that may include the wrists, hands, and/or fingers; and assessing the accuracy, neatness, and thoroughness of the work assigned. Remaining in a stationary position, often standing or sitting for prolonged periods. Moving about to accomplish tasks or moving from one worksite to another. Medium work that includes moving objects up to 50 pounds. No adverse environmental conditions expected; however, may need to execute events in outdoor elements such as precipitation and wind.

Note: This position profile identifies the key responsibilities and expectations for performance. It cannot encompass all specific job tasks that an employee may be required to perform. Employees are required to follow any other job-related instructions and perform job-related duties as may be reasonably assigned by the employee’s supervisor.

Additional Job Description

Time Type Requirement

Full time

Note to Applicant:

This position profile identifies the key responsibilities and expectations for performance. It cannot encompass all specific job tasks that an employee may be required to perform. Employees are required to follow any other job-related instructions and perform job-related duties as may be reasonably assigned by his/her supervisor.

In order to provide a safe and productive learning and living community, Wake Forest University conducts background investigations and drug screens for all final staff candidates being considered for employment.

Equal Opportunity Statement

The University is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes all qualified candidates to apply without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, genetic information, disability and military or veteran status.  

 

Accommodations for Applicants

If you are an individual with a disability and need an accommodation to participate in the application or interview process, please contact AskHR@wfu.edu or (336) 758-4700.