Advancement Events Manager

Mount Auburn Cemetery; Cambridge (MA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equal opportunity employer

Job summary

Mount Auburn Cemetery seeks an Advancement Events Manager to lead high-end donor events and major sponsor engagements. The role centers on cultivating donors, coordinating VIP and corporate events, and driving fundraising outcomes within the Institutional Advancement team.

You will plan and execute events end-to-end, secure speakers and sponsors, oversee budgets, and ensure flawless logistics across virtual and in-person formats.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; fundraising or development experience preferred.
• Strong interpersonal and communications skills are essential.
• Ability to manage budgets, timelines, and multiple events.

Responsibilities

• Conceive annual schedule of high-end IA events with leadership to engage donors and stakeholders.
• Plan virtual and in-person IA events from concept to execution including program, catering, and logistics.
• Secure speakers, arrange entertainment, review programs, and coordinate rehearsals.
• Negotiate vendor costs, coordinate AV, and manage event photos and supplies.
• Coordinate cross-department communications and ensure staff and volunteers are supported.
• Track event finances, invoices, and reporting; monitor budgets and sponsor relations.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Written & verbal communication

Highly organized

Budget management

Team collaboration

Strategic thinking

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Job description

Organization

Mount Auburn Cemetery comprises 175 acres and is situated in Watertown and Cambridge near Boston, Massachusetts. Founded in 1831, and now visited by over 200,000 people each year, Mount Auburn is a National Historic Landmark, recognized as the first “rural cemetery” and the inspiration for the American Parks Movement during the 19th century. As an active cemetery, Mount Auburn inspires all who visit, comforts the bereaved, and commemorates the dead in a landscape of exceptional beauty. As an accredited arboretum, Mount Auburn features 5,000 trees and more than 20,000 plants overall.

Mount Auburn Cemetery comprises 175 acres and is situated in Watertown and Cambridge near Boston, Massachusetts. Founded in 1831, and now visited by over 200,000 people each year, Mount Auburn is a National Historic Landmark, recognized as the first “rural cemetery” and the inspiration for the American Parks Movement during the 19th century. As an active cemetery, Mount Auburn inspires all who visit, comforts the bereaved, and commemorates the dead in a landscape of exceptional beauty. As an accredited arboretum, Mount Auburn features 5,000 trees and more than 20,000 plants overall.
The Advancement Events Manager is responsible for the development and execution of high-end events for Mount Auburn’s major donors, prospects, and key stakeholders. These events include up to 15 annual donor events, other VIP events and meetings, and private events related to large-scale sponsored public events.
The Advancement Events Manager serves as a key member of the Institutional Advancement team. In this role she/he/they will solicit corporate sponsors of large-scale public programs and events such as Winter Solstice.

Duties And Responsibilities

• Conceive of an annual schedule of high-end events with the VP of Institutional Advancement and Director of Events to engage, cultivate, and steward Mount Auburn’s major donors, prospects, and key stakeholders.
• Plan virtual and in-person IA events from concept to execution:
  • With the VP of Institutional Advancement, determine high-level details for all events including program, catering, and logistics.
  • Secure guest speakers and entertainment, review programs, write talking points, and coordinate rehearsals.
  • Negotiate costs and services with vendors; arrange food and beverage, order/arrange for all supplies, event photos, coordinate audiovisual equipment.
  • With the VP of Institutional Advancement, manage staff and volunteers working at events.
  • Coordinate and communicate across departments to ensure events are managed and supported appropriately.
• Lead event planning meetings and discussions.
• Create event briefings and attendee bios for senior staff/trustees to facilitate their engagement with donors and the public.
• Coordinate all communications materials with the Director of Events and VP of Institutional Advancement for event attendees including invitations, interpretive materials, take-aways, follow-up letters and emails, etc.
• Follow-up with vendors, sponsors, and staff members after each event.
• Keep track of event finances including check requests, invoicing, and reporting.
• Monitor, track, and report on event budgets.
• Solicit corporate sponsors of large-scale public programs and events such as Winter Solstice with the VP of Institutional Advancement.
• Work on corporate sponsorship packets and coordinate with sponsors to ensure they are appropriately cultivated and credited.
• Serve as a cross-departmental liaison.

Qualifications

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree. A minimum of least 5 years of fundraising experience, including a demonstrated track record of success with events and sponsorship.
• Strong interpersonal and communications skills.
• Highly organized and able to meet deadlines and manage budgets.
• Ability to work collaboratively as part of a close-knit team.
• High energy, flexible, self-confident and self-motivated.
• Strategic thinker.
• Valid driver’s license.

Required Physical Demands

• Occasionally move within a normal office environment, accessing records and equipment.
• Occasionally ascends and descends stairs.
• Occasionally moves about areas of the Cemetery, including the grounds, Administration Building, Chapels, Greenhouse and Operations Center, to meet with staff, and arrange meetings.

Mount Auburn Cemetery is an equal-opportunity employer. It does not discriminate in employment opportunities on the basis of race, color, ancestry, religion, gender, national origin, age, pregnancy, citizenship status, physical or mental ability, military status, sexual orientation or any other characteristic protected by law.