Senior Manager of Philanthropy Events
Food & Water Watch is looking for a Senior Manager of Philanthropy Events to join our Philanthropy team and manage our event program to educate and engage supporters on our work to protect our food, water, and climate. The Senior Manager of Philanthropy Events will work closely with donors, the philanthropy team, senior leadership, and coordinate across departments. Preference for candidates based on the East Coast (ex: NY, DC, MD, PA) but consideration will be given to national applicants as well.
About Food & Water Watch:
Food & Water Watch is working to create a healthy future for all people and generations to come—a world where everyone has food they can trust, clean drinking water and a livable climate. Making this happen requires involving people in the pressing issues of our time at the local, state, and federal level, building on one win after another, as we develop a larger movement that has the political power to make our democratic process work.
About the position:
The Senior Manager of Philanthropy Events position reports to the Managing Director of Philanthropy, manages one staff member, and works closely with senior leadership. This position plays a key role within our Philanthropy department, and coordinates across teams. The position is responsible for planning and hosting a virtual educational event series, planning and executing the organization’s annual benefit, and coordinating additional in-person and virtual donor engagement events throughout the year. This position works on events across all three organizational entities: Food & Water Watch (501c3), Food & Water Action (501c4), and Food & Water Action PAC. This is a full-time position.
Salary: $85,000-100,000 annually dependent upon experience and location.
Location: This is a fully remote (work-from-home) position. Preference for candidates based on the East Coast (ex: NY, DC, MD, PA) but consideration will be given to national applicants as well. Candidate must be willing to travel for events.
Responsibilities:
- Create and execute a comprehensive annual event plan. This includes the Against All Odds annual benefit, monthly Livable Future LIVE virtual event series, and other virtual and in-person major donor engagement events as opportunities arise. Events will be a mix of C3, C4, and PAC events.
- Events will focus on engaging and stewarding current and prospective donors, particularly major donors. The Senior Manager of Philanthropy Events works closely with Major Gift Officers and Foundations staff to engage their portfolios in events and solicit event gifts/sponsorships.
- Serve as the on-air host for Livable Future LIVE. Host and moderate speaker interviews and panel discussions in this virtual event series, in addition to developing the programming, securing speakers, and overseeing event marketing.
- Lead the planning and execution of our flagship event, the Against All Odds annual benefit. In 2025 there will be an added emphasis on celebrating Food & Water Watch’s 20th anniversary. The position will work closely with Major Gift Officers to meet event fundraising goals. This is typically a hybrid event, with an in-person reception in New York City.
- Create and manage annual budgets and revenue goals for FWW, FWA, and FWA PAC events.
- Supervise and oversee at least one staff member. The staff member is responsible for supporting special events and managing a donor portfolio.
- For all events within the position’s portfolio, oversee all aspects of the event from start-to-finish. This includes but is not limited to:
- Establishing event goals and metrics for success, managing the planning timeline, venue or virtual platform selection, vendor contracts and payments, managing registration and web pages, developing in partnership with social and communications teams a recruitment strategy using all available channels (web, email, social, text, phone, print, etc), writing promotion and recruitment communications, coordinating with in-house graphic designers on event graphics and digital and print marketing materials, manage speaker recruitment and preparation, video editing, coordinating staff briefing materials, maintaining planning documents and event reports, and evaluating finished events for success and areas for improvement.
- Oversee an Events Committee. The committee, made up of major donors, volunteer leaders, Board members, and/or Advisory Council members, supports and advises on the events program.
- Plan and execute bi-annual virtual Food & Water Watch Advisory Council meetings. Work with Senior Leadership to schedule, plan discussion topics, and run Zoom.
- Collaborate closely with Managing Directors and other department staff. This includes research, communications, regional organizing teams, and others to identify and highlight priorities at events for members and donors.
- Travel to assigned regional events. Provide on-site support and management.
- Consult as needed with other departments to provide advice on their events.
- Other duties as assigned.
Required Qualifications:
- At least 5-7 years of full-time event planning and fundraising experience preferably within an advocacy environment, or an equivalent combination of full-time and volunteer experience.
- Demonstrated ability to develop and manage a comprehensive annual event calendar.
- Proven track record planning and executing both in-person and virtual events, ranging from high-profile VIP events to intimate audiences.
- Strong oral communication and public speaking skills. Must be comfortable hosting our live virtual event series, including interviewing guest speakers and moderating panel discussions.
- Excellent writing skills and communication skills.
- Excellent time management & organizational skills with the ability to balance multiple projects.
- Commitment to Food & Water Watch’s core values of justice, human dignity, fair treatment, and equity.
- Ability to work effectively with people of diverse racial, ethnic, class, age, gender, and sexual orientation backgrounds.
- Ability to work remotely using basic online programs, including email, Zoom, Slack, and GoogleDrive.
Desired but not required skills and experience:
- Experience with simple video editing
- Strong knowledge of Zoom Meeting and Webinar functions
- Experience with tools such as Salesforce, Engaging Networks, Asana, Canva, or other virtual event platforms
- Experience with political fundraising for a 501C4 and/or Political Action Committee
Compensation: $85,000-100,000 annually dependent upon experience and location.
Food & Water Watch provides an excellent benefits package for full-time employees. This includes 100% employer-paid health, dental and vision plans for staff; 403b retirement plans with employer contribution once eligible; 12 weeks paid parental leave; 3 weeks vacation for new employees; 12 sick days and 5 personal days; paid federal holidays and winter break (December 24 – January 1).
Please include your resume, cover letter, and writing sample to be considered. Position open until filled. Incomplete applications will not be considered. We will review your application and if we feel that your knowledge, skills and abilities are potentially a good match for our organization, we will be in contact with you. Food and Water Watch is an equal opportunity employer who encourages applications from women, people of color, LGBTQ individuals, individuals with disabilities, and other members of underrepresented groups.
Food & Water Watch (FWW) is committed to the health and safety of its staff members. Moreover, FWW, as an organization, promotes science-based policy. Science clearly shows that unvaccinated populations drive the spread of the coronavirus and the emergence of new variants, and that unvaccinated people are more likely to contract COVID and experience severe symptoms. Effective immediately, prospective new staff members are required to provide proof of vaccination or request a waiver as a condition of their offer of employment.
