Development Events Manager

historicnewengland; Haverhill (MA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Historic New England in Haverhill, MA seeks a Development Events Manager to lead an annual program of events that support our development program. You will oversee all aspects of the events portfolio, delivering a creative, diverse, and goal-driven suite of events that meet attendance and revenue targets and advance the organization’s fundraising priorities.

The role requires strong project management, detailed budgeting, vendor negotiation, and the ability to work evening and weekend hours.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree, or equivalent combination of credentials.
• Minimum of three years of experience in event planning or related field with increasing responsibility.
• Exceptional project management skills and strong organizational ability.
• Excellent budget management skills, with Excel proficiency.
• Ability to negotiate with vendors and solicit in-kind donations and sponsorships.
• Excellent writing, editing, and proofreading skills.
• Strong interpersonal communication and diplomacy for high-level constituents.
• Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation.
• Commitment to IDEA and Historic New England’s mission.

Responsibilities

• Develops thoughtful event plans with clear goals, audiences, and outcomes.
• Manages events from concept through execution and post-event evaluation.
• Develops and manages event budgets; sources, negotiates, and oversees vendors.
• Coordinates all logistics: venue, travel, catering, AV, signage, RSVPs, and staffing.
• Prepares comprehensive event briefings outlining objectives and messaging.
• Leads post-event debriefings to inform future strategy.
• Collaborates with development and communications teams on invitations and follow-up.
• Attends and manages events, including evenings and weekends.
• Represents the development team in cross-functional planning.

Skills

Project management

Budget management

Vendor negotiation

Communication

Writing & editing

Team leadership

Attention to detail

Organization

Discretion/Confidentiality

Independent work

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Tools

Zoom

Tessitura CRM

MS Excel

MS Word

MS Office Suite

Job description

Historic New England (HNE) seeks a dynamic individual with experience in the events management field to serve as a full‑time Development Events Manager. This position is responsible for creating, planning, and executing an annual program of events that support our development program. The right candidate will oversee all aspects of the development events program, delivering a creative, diverse, and goal‑driven portfolio of events that meet attendance and revenue targets and advance the organization’s fundraising priorities.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Develops thoughtful event plans for each engagement, with clearly defined goals, target audiences, and desired outcomes.
• Ensure alignments with broader development strategies and priorities.
• Manages events from concept through execution and post‑event evaluation.
• Develops and manages event budgets; sources, negotiates, and oversees vendors.
• Coordinates all event logistics, including but not limited to venue selection, travel and itineraries, food and beverage, event design, tents, audio‑visual production, parking, signage, RSVPs, collateral materials, event remarks, and staffing.
• Prepares comprehensive event briefings in advance of each event, outlining objectives, attendee profiles, roles, and key messaging.
• Where appropriate, leads post‑event debriefings to assess outcomes, capture insights, and inform future strategy.
• Coordinates with development and communications staff on event invitations, communications, and follow‑up to ensure alignment with broader engagement and fundraising strategies.
• Attends and manages events, with regular evening and weekend responsibilities.
• Represents the development team on cross‑functional program planning efforts.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree, or equivalent combination of skilled credentials.
• Minimum of three years of experience in event planning or related field with increasing responsibility for program conception, management, execution, and evaluation.
• Exceptional project management skills. Must be extremely well organized and able to thrive in a fast‑paced environment while maintaining precise attention to priorities, details, and quality.
• Excellent budget management skills, with Excel proficiency.
• Ability to negotiate with vendors and solicit in‑kind donations and sponsorships.
• Fully competent computer and technical skills, including Zoom or similar virtual meeting platforms, internet research, constituent management databases, and advanced working knowledge of MS Office Suite (Excel and Word).
• Excellent writing, editing, and proofreading skills.
• Excellent internal and external customer service, interpersonal communication, and tact and diplomacy for regular interaction with high‑level constituents.
• Ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality.
• Team player with leadership skills and the ability to work independently.
• Valid driver’s license and reliable means of transportation.
• Strong belief in, and demonstrated commitment to, Historic New England’s mission and values.
• Commitment to the highest standards of professionalism, excellence, and Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Access (IDEA).

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior experience in non‑profit or member‑based event planning.
• Prior experience with Tessitura or other customer relationship management (CRM) systems.
• Prior experience working with high‑level volunteers.

Other Duties

Please note this position description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

About the Organization

Historic New England—founded as the Society for the Preservation of New England Antiquities in 1910—is the oldest, largest, and most comprehensive independent preservation organization in the United States. Historic New England welcomes the public to thirty‑eight exceptional museums and landscapes, including several coastal farms.

The organization operates a major collections and archives center in Haverhill, Massachusetts, and has the world’s largest collection of New England artifacts, comprising more than 125,000 decorative arts and objects and 1.5 million archival documents including photographs, architectural drawings, manuscripts, and ephemera. Engaging education programs for youth, adults, and preservation professionals, and award‑winning exhibitions and publications are offered in person and virtually. The Historic New England Preservation Easement program is a national leader and protects 127 privately owned historic properties throughout the region.

To learn more, visit historicnewengland.org

Historic New England is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.