Title: Special Events Manager
Location: Midtown
Org Unit: Events
Work Days: Monday-Friday
Weekly Hours: 35.00
Exemption Status: Exempt
Salary Range: $105,200.00 - $123,500.00
As required under NYC Human Rights Law Int - Salary range for this role when Hired for NYC Offices
Position Summary Reporting to the Director of Special Events, the Special Events Manager is an integral member of the Office of External Affairs' Special Events team that will provide support for the development, planning and execution of alumni- and donor-facing events, from conception to completion, by managing all aspects including budgeting and vendor management, logistics, and on-site operations to ensure a successful event that meets Weill Cornell Medicine strategic objectives.
Job Responsibilities - Participates in events strategy dev. and programming for a variety of ticketed and invitation-only events for philanthropic audiences, alumni, and volunteer/board leadership, ranging from private receptions to fundraising galas and institutional events.
- Collaborates closely with Development leadership and frontline staff to ensure fundraising events are aligned with campaign strategy and message points.
- Prepares written briefings for board leadership, Dean, Alumni Assoc board, and event hosts. Works with members of fundraising leadership committees, councils, and other VIPs.
- Manages all logistical elements of events, including identifying venues, recommending caterers/vendors, communicating with hosts, guests, speakers, and honorees, and managing materials to execute a flawless event.
- Conducts post-event analysis in collaboration with Events team using final attendance data and budget numbers, ROI, and identify areas for future cost saving measures and improvements to be incorporated into future events.
- Develops and adheres to event budgets, negotiates contracts, and monitors expenses, ensuring cost-effectiveness.
- Trains, manages, and mentors at least one direct report.
- Undertakes creation and configuration of events in fundraising CRM system.
- Sets pricing for paid events, including market assessment of non-deductible portions; ensures revenue payments are compliant with regulations prohibiting self-dealing, bifurcation, and donor-advised fund benefits.
- Designs and composes email invitations using digital engagement module (BBIS) of CRM; manages all aspects of online registrations, including testing, batch import validation, and QA to ensure donor experience is maximized.
- Designs and produces branded signage, programs, registration forms, and other collateral materials.
- Manages the creation and distribution of branded swag, including designing custom items, coordinating with vendors, and ensuring branding consistency.
Education Experience - At least 5-7 years in events experience, preferably in an academic/medical setting or comparable complex environment.
- Prior experience working in a Development Office and/or managing events for philanthropic audiences
- Previous management experience is a plus.
- Experience with CRM fundraising database applications.
- Graphic design experience using Canva and Adobe Creative Cloud.
- Experience using content management systems and/or digital marketing platforms.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities - Knowledge of basic principles of the Development/advancement/philanthropy field.
- Strong ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and meet tight deadlines, work collaboratively with internal and external teams, vendors, and stakeholders.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with a focus on customer service.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite.
- Ability to manage details with precision to ensure seamless execution.
- Strong critical thinking skills to effectively pivot, address, and resolve challenges that arise during event planning and execution.
- Comfort working with donors, honorees, senior institutional leaders, and other VIPs.
Licenses and Certifications Working Conditions/Physical Demands - Occasional evening and weekend work.
- Extensive travel within NYC, with some travel outside NYC.
- Ability to lift a minimum of 20 pounds. (Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform this essential function.)
Weill Cornell Medicine is a comprehensive academic medical center that is committed to excellence in patient care, scientific discovery, and the education of future physicians and scientists in New York City and around the world. Our doctors and scientists - faculty from Weill Cornell Medical College, Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences, and the Weill Cornell Physician Organization - are engaged in world-class clinical care and cutting-edge research that connect patients to the latest treatment innovations and prevention strategies. Located in the heart of the Upper East Side's scientific corridor, Weill Cornell Medicine's powerful network of collaborators extends to its parent university Cornell University; to Qatar, where an international campus offers a U.S. medical degree; and to programs in Tanzania, Haiti, Brazil, Austria and Turkey. Our medical practices serve communities throughout New York City, and our faculty provide comprehensive care at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center, NewYork-Presbyterian/Lower Manhattan Hospital, NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Brooklyn Methodist Hospital, NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Westchester Behavioral Health Center, and NewYork-Presbyterian/Queens. At Weill Cornell Medicine, we work together to treat each individual, not just their conditions or illnesses, as we strive to deliver the finest possible care for our patients - the center of everything we do. Weill Cornell Medicine is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. Weill Cornell Medicine provides equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to protected status, including race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, color, age, religion, protected veteran or disability status, or genetic information.