Association of Fundraising Professionals
POSITION SUMMARY
The Events Manager is a strategic, mission‑driven professional responsible for planning and executing Seattle Humane’s fundraising and community events. This role leads all aspects of event planning and production, ensuring exceptional donor, sponsor, guest, and volunteer experiences while advancing the organization’s fundraising and engagement goals. The Events Manager brings strong event experience, excels at managing complex timelines and budgets, and collaborates closely with internal teams and external partners to deliver impactful, well‑executed events that support our mission. KEY OR ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Leads the planning and execution of fundraising events, donor cultivation events, and community engagement events ranging from intimate gatherings to large‑scale events Manages event budgets, timelines, and logistics from concept through post‑event evaluation Oversees vendor, venue, and production partner relationships and negotiates event contracts Collaborates with development, marketing, and program teams to align events with fundraising and mission goals Supports sponsor and donor engagement and stewardship in partnership with the major gifts and corporate team Ensures a high‑quality guest experience, including donor, sponsor, and volunteer interactions Collaborates with the Marketing team to develop promotional and advertising strategies for events Manages a portfolio of event donors Represents the organization at public events, conferences, and meetings to build and maintain community relationships Collaborates with other community‑facing operational division leaders to best support, activate, and operationalize events Hosts and leads campus tours for community partners and others as needed Produces clear and concise communication including emails, proposals, presentations, and other written materials Assembles, analyzes and maintains data to help the department track progress to goals and effectiveness of events and projects using Raiser’s Edge and Luminate Handles multiple tasks and responsibilities with accuracy and within deadlines Performs other project management and administrative duties for the team as assigned COMMUNICATION/INTERPERSONAL CONTACT
Communicates clearly and professionally with staff on a daily basis through in‑person interactions, meetings, phone calls, and email. Engages in regular written and verbal communication with volunteers, donors, corporate and community partners, vendors, and board members. Demonstrates a strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion by fostering a respectful, inclusive work environment that values diverse perspectives, cultures, and viewpoints. COMPLEXITY
Exercises sound independent judgment while also working effectively both independently and as part of a team. Handles sensitive and highly confidential information with professionalism and discretion. Manages a wide range of responsibilities that vary day to day, requiring strong attention to detail and the ability to respond calmly and effectively to unexpected situations or requests from donors and staff. Demonstrates flexibility and adaptability in meeting diverse support needs, working styles, and shifting priorities. KNOWLEDGE/EXPERIENCE/EDUCATION OR TRAINING
8+ years of event management experience Proven success managing complex, high‑profile events Strong project management, communication, and leadership skills Experience working with event sponsors and volunteers Ability to thrive in a collaborative environment Requires experience and skills with Microsoft 365 Suite Proven experience maintaining highly accurate records and processes, with the ability to perform precise and reliable data analysis Excellent professional writing skills Builds strong and trusting relationships with peers, managers, volunteers, and internal and external partners Experience in planning and making public presentations to professional groups, both virtually and in‑person Experience using Raiser’s Edge and/or Luminate, or other fundraising software highly valued Strong interest in nonprofit work and animal welfare LICENSES/CERTIFICATIONS REQUIRED
A bachelor’s degree and/or equivalent experience in similar positions. Valid Washington driver’s license with good driving record and access to reliable transportation. WORKING CONDITIONS
Equipment Used: Multi‑line telephone, personal computer, printers, postage, copier or fax machines, animal leashes, collars and/or carriers, Seattle Humane vehicle. Work Hours: Normal business working hours, 40 hours per week, with occasional evening/weekend hours required to cover events. Attendance required at all‑staff meetings and assigned training workshops, meetings or special events. LOCATION
Position will be located onsite in the Bellevue, WA office. SEATTLE HUMANE CORE VALUES
Compassion Accessibility Innovation Responsibility Teamwork WHO WE ARE
Seattle Humane is more than a shelter, we are a community resource center. We're meeting the increasing need for pet owner support services, so that families don't have to choose between an overdue bill and a beloved family member. We're training the next generation of veterinarians in our state‑of‑the‑art medical center. We're building a community of animal advocates through our volunteer and youth education programs. The impact of Seattle Humane is life‑changing, for the animals in our care and the people who love them. Our top priority is to connect animals in need of rescue with the people who will love them. Through our outreach, advocacy, and services, we strive to ensure that animal companionship is accessible to all. Take a look at our Vision for the Future, which will guide our work and priorities in the years to come. THE BENEFITS
At Seattle Humane, we believe in investing in our people, you'll receive competitive benefits and perks, including full health & wellness coverage, generous paid time off starting at three weeks, 10 paid holidays, an employer matching retirement plan, personal pet allowance, employee sabbaticals, discounts, and you get to work around cute animals! Check out our list of benefits and perks here. EQUAL OPPORTUNITY
As an equal opportunity employer, Seattle Humane is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or disability status or any other basis prohibited by applicable law.
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The Events Manager is a strategic, mission‑driven professional responsible for planning and executing Seattle Humane’s fundraising and community events. This role leads all aspects of event planning and production, ensuring exceptional donor, sponsor, guest, and volunteer experiences while advancing the organization’s fundraising and engagement goals. The Events Manager brings strong event experience, excels at managing complex timelines and budgets, and collaborates closely with internal teams and external partners to deliver impactful, well‑executed events that support our mission. KEY OR ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Leads the planning and execution of fundraising events, donor cultivation events, and community engagement events ranging from intimate gatherings to large‑scale events Manages event budgets, timelines, and logistics from concept through post‑event evaluation Oversees vendor, venue, and production partner relationships and negotiates event contracts Collaborates with development, marketing, and program teams to align events with fundraising and mission goals Supports sponsor and donor engagement and stewardship in partnership with the major gifts and corporate team Ensures a high‑quality guest experience, including donor, sponsor, and volunteer interactions Collaborates with the Marketing team to develop promotional and advertising strategies for events Manages a portfolio of event donors Represents the organization at public events, conferences, and meetings to build and maintain community relationships Collaborates with other community‑facing operational division leaders to best support, activate, and operationalize events Hosts and leads campus tours for community partners and others as needed Produces clear and concise communication including emails, proposals, presentations, and other written materials Assembles, analyzes and maintains data to help the department track progress to goals and effectiveness of events and projects using Raiser’s Edge and Luminate Handles multiple tasks and responsibilities with accuracy and within deadlines Performs other project management and administrative duties for the team as assigned COMMUNICATION/INTERPERSONAL CONTACT
Communicates clearly and professionally with staff on a daily basis through in‑person interactions, meetings, phone calls, and email. Engages in regular written and verbal communication with volunteers, donors, corporate and community partners, vendors, and board members. Demonstrates a strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion by fostering a respectful, inclusive work environment that values diverse perspectives, cultures, and viewpoints. COMPLEXITY
Exercises sound independent judgment while also working effectively both independently and as part of a team. Handles sensitive and highly confidential information with professionalism and discretion. Manages a wide range of responsibilities that vary day to day, requiring strong attention to detail and the ability to respond calmly and effectively to unexpected situations or requests from donors and staff. Demonstrates flexibility and adaptability in meeting diverse support needs, working styles, and shifting priorities. KNOWLEDGE/EXPERIENCE/EDUCATION OR TRAINING
8+ years of event management experience Proven success managing complex, high‑profile events Strong project management, communication, and leadership skills Experience working with event sponsors and volunteers Ability to thrive in a collaborative environment Requires experience and skills with Microsoft 365 Suite Proven experience maintaining highly accurate records and processes, with the ability to perform precise and reliable data analysis Excellent professional writing skills Builds strong and trusting relationships with peers, managers, volunteers, and internal and external partners Experience in planning and making public presentations to professional groups, both virtually and in‑person Experience using Raiser’s Edge and/or Luminate, or other fundraising software highly valued Strong interest in nonprofit work and animal welfare LICENSES/CERTIFICATIONS REQUIRED
A bachelor’s degree and/or equivalent experience in similar positions. Valid Washington driver’s license with good driving record and access to reliable transportation. WORKING CONDITIONS
Equipment Used: Multi‑line telephone, personal computer, printers, postage, copier or fax machines, animal leashes, collars and/or carriers, Seattle Humane vehicle. Work Hours: Normal business working hours, 40 hours per week, with occasional evening/weekend hours required to cover events. Attendance required at all‑staff meetings and assigned training workshops, meetings or special events. LOCATION
Position will be located onsite in the Bellevue, WA office. SEATTLE HUMANE CORE VALUES
Compassion Accessibility Innovation Responsibility Teamwork WHO WE ARE
Seattle Humane is more than a shelter, we are a community resource center. We're meeting the increasing need for pet owner support services, so that families don't have to choose between an overdue bill and a beloved family member. We're training the next generation of veterinarians in our state‑of‑the‑art medical center. We're building a community of animal advocates through our volunteer and youth education programs. The impact of Seattle Humane is life‑changing, for the animals in our care and the people who love them. Our top priority is to connect animals in need of rescue with the people who will love them. Through our outreach, advocacy, and services, we strive to ensure that animal companionship is accessible to all. Take a look at our Vision for the Future, which will guide our work and priorities in the years to come. THE BENEFITS
At Seattle Humane, we believe in investing in our people, you'll receive competitive benefits and perks, including full health & wellness coverage, generous paid time off starting at three weeks, 10 paid holidays, an employer matching retirement plan, personal pet allowance, employee sabbaticals, discounts, and you get to work around cute animals! Check out our list of benefits and perks here. EQUAL OPPORTUNITY
As an equal opportunity employer, Seattle Humane is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or disability status or any other basis prohibited by applicable law.
#J-18808-Ljbffr