Manager of Special Events

Job Description Overview Part American palace, part industrial shed, Park Avenue Armory is dedicated to supporting unconventional works in the visual and performing arts that need non-traditional spaces for their full realization, enabling artists to create and audiences to experience epic and adventurous presentations that cannot be mounted elsewhere in New York City.

Summary Working in conjunction with the Armory’s Director of Special Events and the larger Development team, the Manager of Special Events focuses on the fundraising, planning, and oversight of high-end events for major donors, sponsors, and members of the Armory, most importantly the high-profile annual Gala that hosts 500 donors. This position is a full-time role, and primary responsibilities include strategic frontline fundraising for several annual benefit events, management, and execution of 25 to 40 events per year, project and deadline management, and building strong relationships with donors and other stakeholders.

The Manager is a key component of a small but entrepreneurial Special Events team, which manages and supports opening nights and events for member groups and artists, the annual Gala, Snowflake Lounge, and benefit dinners.

Supervision The Manager reports to the Director of Special Events and takes further direction from the Director of Development and the Chief Development Officer, in addition to working closely with the Development team and staff in other Armory departments.

This position supervises and works closely with an events team made up of in-house and consulting team members.

Responsibilities

A. Event Management With direction from Director of Special Events, help manage and execute the Armory’s fundraising events that raise over $2.7 Million including an annual Gala, holiday family fundraiser, and production-specific benefit events

Manage, implement, and systematize select administrative and logistical aspects of the annual major fundraisers (including the Gala is a collaborative project involving the full organization and is led by the President), including managing financials for ongoing tracking and distribution, coordinating mailings and solicitors, being the point-person for catering and numerous other areas

Collaboration with key executive staff on special projects including printed materials, run of show, entertainment, décor, and other items pertaining to Gala and large events

Manage a portfolio of cultivation and private events for donors and the Armory’s membership groups, including participating in conceiving the events with the Individual and Institutional Giving teams, planning and implementing logistics, managing event budgets, and supervising the execution of events along with other event staff

Coordinate all back-office administration, including contracts and agreements with vendors and those throwing the events, ordering supplies, scheduling meetings, submitting work requests, and tracking and processing expenses.

Ensure that all events in the historic spaces conform to the taste and aesthetic standards of the institution

Collaborate with applicable Armory departments and colleagues to ensure coordinated and streamlined event planning and execution, including frequent communication and troubleshooting, active participation in weekly operational meetings, and keeping the Armory’s master calendar accurate and up-to-date with event details

Numerous evenings and some weekend day and evening work is required

Perform other event management responsibilities as needed and directed

B. Fundraising and Development Along with the Development leadership, galvanize support for fundraising events by building special engagement with committee leadership and members, event leadership, and the event…