Smart Growth America is seeking an enthusiastic and dynamic Senior Manager of Events and Development to join our team. If you are passionate about creating vibrant, equitable communities and have a knack for organizing impactful events and driving successful fundraising campaigns, this role is for you. As the manager of our premier annual event, the Equity Summit, you will play a crucial role in shaping and executing an event that reaches hundreds of practitioners, advocates, and policymakers dedicated to advancing racial equity through smart growth. You'll also be a key player in our fundraising efforts, helping to advance our mission to create healthy, prosperous, and resilient places for everyone. The Senior Manager, Events and Development reports to the Director of Communications, with oversight by and direct support to the President and CEO on the role’s fundraising support and coordination responsibilities.
About Smart Growth America
Smart Growth America is a leading national non-profit organization advocating for equitable, sustainable land use, development, and transportation. We empower communities through technical assistance, advocacy, and thought leadership to realize this vision of livable places, healthy people, and shared prosperity. Programmatic priorities for SGA include advancing racial equity, addressing the climate crisis, and improving the health of communities.
About the Equity Summit
The Equity Summit is SGA’s premier annual event, reaching over 300 practitioners, advocates, and policymakers seeking to advance racial equity through smart growth. Speakers and participants come from around the country to engage in meaningful conversation about advancing equity in our transportation, housing, climate and land use decisions. Launched in 2021 as a virtual event, SGA hosted the Equity Summit in person in Washington, DC for the first time in 2024. SGA’s equity event programming also features virtual Equity Forums on specialized topics.
Responsibilities:
Events & the Equity Summit
Oversee all aspects of the Equity Summit, including managing staff, the Summit Host Committee, an advisory committee, and outside consultants, and vendors.
Coordinate with Communications and Finance teams on Equity Summit-related work.
Lead the program development for the annual Equity Summit and Forums in partnership with SGA programmatic staff, a Host Committee, and other partners.
Manage the Summit budget and strategize on the ongoing evolution of the Summit.
As time and capacity is available, support other external SGA events, including webinars, Equity Forums, and other convenings.
Provide direct support to the President and CEO for all fundraising-related activities.
Support the organization in creating and implementing fundraising strategies.
Support the creation of fundraising marketing materials and sponsorship decks.
Manage correspondence, communications, and meetings related to the development activities of the CEO, and vis-a-vis the Equity Summit and Equity Forums.
Manage the end-of-year fundraising campaign, in coordination with the Communications team.
Work with the CEO to research potential funders, donors, and funding opportunities.
Work with the CEO to create and maintain systems for tracking funder and donor interactions and engagement.
Serve as a key liaison with outside consultants working on organization-wide and Equity Summit fundraising.
Knowledge and Skills
Required:
Commitment to SGA’s North Star.
4-7+ years of progressively responsible experience in events management and/or fundraising.
Proven experience in planning, organizing, and executing large-scale events, including virtual and in-person formats.
Experience managing outside vendors and consultants on events.
Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in all aspects of work, including experience working with diverse communities and stakeholders.
Strong project management skills, including the ability to manage multiple tasks and projects simultaneously.
Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively in a collaborative team environment.
Some experience in building and maintaining relationships with funders, donors, sponsors, and stakeholders.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Preferred:
A Master's degree in public administration, communications, marketing, nonprofit management, public policy, or a related field.
Experience in developing and managing budgets.
Ability to think creatively and innovatively to develop new fundraising ideas and event formats.
Familiarity with issues related to land use, housing, transportation, equity, climate, and community development.
Significant experience in building and maintaining relationships with funders, donors, sponsors, and stakeholders.
Compensation
The salary range for this position is $70,000-$85,000, depending on the level of applicable experience.
SGA has an entrepreneurial and innovative workplace culture where employees work collaboratively to achieve the mission with a focus on equity. SGA offers a generous employee benefits package featuring a fully paid medical plan, optional dental and vision coverage, 401k with a strong company contribution, company-paid life and disability insurance, three weeks’ vacation in the first year, and 11 paid holidays.
Office Schedule & COVID Protocols
This position is based in Washington, DC, and operates on a hybrid work schedule. SGA staff work in the office at 1350 Eye Street NW, Tuesday through Thursday, while generally working remotely in the DC area the rest of the week.
SGA requires employees to be vaccinated and boosted for COVID-19.
Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility
SGA is proud to be an equal-opportunity employer. Smart Growth America is committed to building a diverse staff and strongly encourages applications from candidates of color. Employment and promotional opportunities are based on individual capabilities and qualifications without regard to race, color, religion, gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation/preference, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic as established under law.
How to Apply
Please send a cover letter and resume to jobs@smartgrowthamerica.org with “ATTN: Events and Development Senior Manager Application” in the subject line. In your cover letter, please indicate how you’ve learned of this opportunity. We look forward to hearing from candidates soon.
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