Manager, Development Events

Job Details

Job Location:

Palos Verdes Peninsula, CA 90274

Position Type:
Full Time

Salary Range: $25.00 - $31.00 Hourly

South Coast Botanic Garden’s mission is to connect ALL to the wonders of nature and create offbeat experiences that inspire stewardship and sustainability. The 87-acre destination is an oasis of curated gardens and natural landscapes built atop a reclaimed landfill, serving as a powerful example of environmental renewal.

From the Dorothy and John Bohannon Rose Garden to the Dorothy and Allen Lay Staghorn Fern Collection and immersive seasonal exhibits, the Garden offers guests unique opportunities to engage with nature. With continued growth and exciting new developments ahead, this is an exciting time to join a dynamic and evolving organization.

South Coast Botanic Garden fosters a workplace culture where strategic focus and cultural health go hand in hand. Team members are collaborative, adaptable and committed to supporting the Garden’s mission and guest experience.

Reporting Relationship:
Director of Membership

The Development Events Manager develops creative, mission-aligned relationship-building experiences that connect members, donors, and supporters to the wonders of nature. This position oversees all stages of planning and production for Development events and partners closely with Development leadership to translate event objectives into well-executed experiences that advance membership, cultivation, stewardship, and fundraising goals.

Events range from intimate salon-style gatherings to large stewardship events serving more than 200 members and supporters. From planning through breakdown, the Manager is responsible for consistently delivering high-quality guest experiences, while protecting the Garden’s facilities, reputation, and operational integrity. The position develops creative themes, identifies meaningful connections to nature, and manages the details that elevate each event from ordinary to extraordinary.

This role is ideal for an events professional who is eager to deepen their skills while making a meaningful impact at a dynamic cultural institution.

• A passion for mission-driven nonprofit work.
• Curiosity about- or a love for- public gardens, nature, cultural attractions, or community-based programming.
• Strong organizational and critical-thinking skills.
• A collaborative spirit and comfort working across departments.
• The ability to manage multiple deadlines while building thoughtful, values-based relationships
• The ability to make timely decisions, identify problems, and implement solutions while maintaining a calm and confident demeanor.

This full-time position offers a unique opportunity to grow within the Development and events fields, contribute to a flourishing cultural institution, and help shape the next chapter of the Garden’s impact in the community.

• Develop and manage comprehensive timelines for Development events, including planning meetings, invitations, marketing deadlines, staffing, and operational requirements.
• Coordinate invitation production, printing, mailing, and distribution.
• Research, vet, negotiate with, and engage external event vendors in accordance with Garden contracting and purchasing procedures; coordinate invoice processing.
• Schedule, organize, and lead cross-functional planning meetings, clearly documenting responsibilities, decisions, and deadlines.
• Monitor project plans and follow up with stakeholders to ensure production deadlines are met.
• Develop and monitor event budgets, track expenses, and escalate anticipated variances.
• Determine food and beverage needs and coordinate…