Director of Development Events

If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability, contact this employer to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process.

Saint Paul, MN, US

Salary Range: $90,000.00 To $ Annually

The mission of Sanneh is to Empower youth, Improve lives, and Unite communities. Sanneh empowers youth by

supporting and promoting educational attainment through in-school and after-school support, improves lives by

providing programs that strengthen physical health and social and emotional development, and unite communities by

advancing diversity, equity, and community well-being.

Accountability

Caring

Respect

Fun

Reporting directly to the Executive Vice President of External Affairs and managed by the Chief Growth

Strategist, the Development Events Manager is responsible for the strategic planning and flawless

execution of The Sanneh Foundation's signature fundraising events including Gala4

Goals and

Golf4

Goals as well as related campaign, donor cultivation gatherings and stewardship activities

throughout the year. This person will also be responsible for solicitation of sponsor ships, auction

donations, and major gifts and managing strong relationships with event donors.

Working closely with peers on the Development, Volunteer, Partnerships/Communications, and

Outreach team, this role ensures every donor and sponsor touchpoint reflects the professionalism,

warmth, and mission-driven spirit of The Sanneh Foundation. Competitive candidates for this role will

have prior experience in event project management, major gifts and/or sponsorship solicitation, donor

stewardship, an entrepreneurial mindset, exceptional attention to detail, strong written and verbal

communication skills, and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, deadline-oriented

Event Planning & Project Management

Serve as project lead for Gala4

Goals, Golf4

Goals, and other fundraising and stewardship events, developing and executing strategies that achieve revenue, sponsorship, donor engagement, and stewardship goals while managing timelines, budgets, vendor relationships, and event execution from concept through post-event wrap-up.

Work with outside event and production consultants to coordinate all logistics.

Manage event committee(s) and meetings to ensure volunteer engagement.

Source and negotiate with venues, caterers, auction platforms, and other vendors to ensure high- quality experiences that align with budget expectations.

Coordinate invitations, guest lists, RSVPs, seating, sponsor recognition, and day-of logistics to ensure every guest and sponsor has a seamless, purposeful experience.

Partner with senior leadership to recruit, brief, and manage event committees and volunteers, leveraging their networks for sponsor ships, auction procurement, and event promotion.

Track event budgets and revenue against goals, and prepare post-event reports with data-driven recommendations for future programming.

Donor | Sponsor Solicitation and Stewardship

Develop and execute sponsorship and auction strategies that achieve annual revenue goals for Gala4

Goals, Golf4

Goals, and other fundraising events.

Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward corporate partners, major donors, and prospects to increase philanthropic investment in Sanneh's mission.

Solicit and secure event sponsor ships from individuals and corporations, track and manage sponsor relationships, and ensure sponsorship benefit fulfillment.

Solicit and secure auction donations, track and manage auction lots, and ensure auction package fulfillment.

Build and manage a pipeline of event sponsors, donors, and prospects, tracking engagement and next steps through the donor database.

Conduct sponsor and donor meetings, presentations, and proposals to secure new and renewed funding commitments.

Partner with the VP of Philanthropy and development team to transition qualified event attendees, sponsors, and donors into year-round cultivation and major gift strategies.

Analyze donor and sponsor participation trends to identify opportunities for increased giving, retention, and engagement.

Develop stewardship materials, including sponsor benefit fulfillment, recognition signage, and impact communications that connect donors to Sanneh's mission.

Maintain accurate event and sponsorship records in the donor database, ensuring timely acknowledgement and accurate data for reporting.

Work with the EVP of External Affairs, Chief Growth Strategist,…