Title:  Director of Special Events, Maryland

Responsible to:  Assistant Vice President of Development

Location: Maryland

Job Status: Exempt

Posted: 4/15/2008

Qualifications:  The Director of Special Events must posses a Bachelor’s degree and at least three years’ experience in event based fundraising and/or community relations or posses and comparable combination of education and relevant experience.  A degree in Communication, Public Relations or other related field is preferred as is experience in non-profit development, special events and community relations.  Knowledge and well-proven skills are required in fundraising, community relations, public speaking and relationship building.  The Director of Special Events must be able to balance multiple tasks and work effectively with staff, volunteers and the community on a wide range of projects.  S/he must be reasonably creative in the establishing of events. 

Basic Function:  The Director of Special Events is responsible for regional event based fundraising initiatives in Maryland while working collaboratively across the region (MD, NC & VA) to meet ALAAC goals.  The Director of Special Events will work under the direction of our Assistant VP of Development and will be actively involved in fundraising and special events coordination.  The Director of Special Events must also provide feedback and data necessary for strategic development and community relations decisions to be made annually.  Specific responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

1.  Fundraising

• Plans and executes event based fundraising such as:  Asthma Walk, Stair Climb, or other events as assigned.  This will include, but is not limited to the following activities:  establish volunteer committee; set event date and location; establish marketing and recruitment plans; seek and earn corporate support for event; recruit participants; manage logistics of event; and execute event.
• Establishes organizational presence in region assessing needs of current or potential partners and assuring needs are met by organization. 
• Establishes relationships in support of renewing or recruiting golf courses for the Golf Privilege Card.
• Communicates regularly with development leadership regarding cultivation of volunteers and donors.
• Establishes network of volunteers and donors in community with increasing involvement in Association activities.
• Gathers and has data processed related to events, volunteers, and donors in region.
• Communicates regularly with media sources and community groups regarding fundraising and other lung health issues.
• Assists in the development of annual Performance Based Management System (PBMS) scorecard related to development and community relations targeted Nationwide Results Indicators.  Accountable for reaching PBMS targets and key milestones as assigned.

2.  Major and Planned Giving

• Works to establish a major and planned gift program in the assigned regional area through:
• Identifies potential major donors and/or state-level leaders.
• Maintains relationships through personal visits and phone calls.
• Adheres to acknowledgement and donor cultivation procedures as defined through the office of the Regional VP of Development (ALAAC).
• Partners with the AVP of Major Gifts and VP of Development on cultivation strategies for major donors and prospects.
• Effectively engages personnel and volunteers in the identification, cultivation and solicitation of donors and prospects.
• Implements a donor appreciation/recognition event and/or process for donors.

3.      Community Relations

• Builds and sustains collaborations and coalitions to support the goals of the ALAAC.
• Serves as an external spokesperson for ALAAC.
• Insures integration of mission delivery information and messaging in all activities.

4.      Other Responsibilities

• Provides staff support to Board of Directors, stakeholder groups, and CEO for development and community relations issues.
• Share in the fulfillment of the vision of the organization.
• Carries out other duties and responsibilities as may be assigned by the Assistant VP of Development or the CEO.

Physical Conditions and Nature of Work Contacts:  Work is typically performed in an office, at meeting and event sites throughout the region and in board/conference rooms.  Frequent use of a motor vehicle to attend meetings, establish and conduct programs and events throughout the state and to coordinate with local organizers is necessary.  Occasional attendance at regional or national seminars or meetings is necessary.   Considerable verbal and written skills are necessary.  Presentations regarding fundraising events, major and planned giving, the mission of the organization and its programs are frequently necessary.  Regular use of office automated equipment (such as computers, fax and reproduction machines) is necessary.  Regular contacts are made with media representatives, board members, physicians, staff members, the National Office, clients and local community volunteers.  Regular attendance at meetings and events outside normal duty hours is necessary.  Occasional lifting of supplies and materials weighing up to 40 pounds is necessary.

Position Duties and Responsibilities by Function:

Mission (Environmental Health/Tobacco Control/Asthma/Lung Disease) - 20%

·        Builds relationships with members and volunteers bringing forth the cause and mission of the ALAAC.

·        Acts as a professional spokesperson for special event initiatives.

·        Increases awareness of our mission through relationships with event participants, corporate sponsors and volunteers.

·        Ensures integration of mission delivery information and messaging in all activities.

Community Health - 25%

·        Establishes network of volunteers and donors in community with increasing involvement in Association activities.

·        Executes events such as Asthma Walk, Stair Climb, or other as assigned.

·        Builds and sustains collaborations and coalitions to support the goals of the ALAAC.

Management and General - 5%

·        Establishes relationships in support of renewing or recruiting golf courses for the Golf Privilege Card.

·        Provides staff support to Board of Directors, stakeholder groups, and CEO for development and community relations issues.

·        Produces event reports

·        Manages event staff

Fund Raising - 50%

·        Manages regional, event based fundraising initiatives in Maryland while working collaboratively across the region to meet ALAAC goals. 

·        Identifies and cultivate relationships.

·        Plans and executes event based fundraising.

·        Communicates regularly with media sources and community groups regarding fundraising and other lung health issues.

·        Follows the ALAAC cultivation strategy for all donors and prospects.

·        Effectively engages Board and volunteers in the identification, cultivation and solicitation of donors and prospects.

·        Participates as a team member in events.

NOTE: The successful candidate(s) for this position will be subject to a pre-employment background check.