Director, Community Events

NMSS National Multiple Sclerosis Society; Rocky Hill (CT); Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 79,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off

Paid holidays

401k with company match

Commuter benefit

Health & welfare package

Job summary

The NMSS National MS Society seeks a Director to lead the Connecticut-Rhode Island Walk MS campaign, overseeing events, donor cultivation, and partnerships. This senior fundraiser will drive revenue, coach teams, and manage event components with AVP collaboration.

Regular travel and on-site event leadership are essential to success. Preferred candidates bring 4+ years in fundraising nonprofit roles, CRM proficiency, and strong leadership with the ability to execute multi-channel campaigns and

Qualifications

• 4+ years of progressive experience in fundraising, donor relations, or nonprofit development.
• Proven track record of meeting or exceeding fundraising goals.
• Experience supervising staff or volunteers and coordinating cross-functional initiatives.
• Proficiency in CRM systems and data analysis to inform strategy and reporting.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to engage donors and stakeholders.
• Strategic thinker with the ability to develop long-term fundraising plans.

Responsibilities

• Drive revenue growth and meet campaign fundraising goals through strategic engagement of top fundraisers, team captains, local sponsor and donor engagement for the Society’s Community Event campaigns
• Serve as the market’s lead fundraiser for assigned campaigns, focusing on high-impact activity that boosts participation, retention, local sponsorship and fundraising totals
• Customize and implement national strategies to fit local context, aligning with regional objectives and donor trends
• Partner with the AVP to report on pacing, surface risks, and adjust execution as needed to achieve goals
• Foster cross-team alignment by coordinating frontline activity, reinforcing shared accountability, and supporting peer fundraisers in execution
• Use CRM and campaign dashboards to inform decisions, track performance, and continuously improve tactics

Skills

Fundraising

Donor relations

Nonprofit development

CRM proficiency

Leadership

Project management

Communication

Tools

Raiser's Edge

Salesforce

Job description

WHO WE ARE

The National Multiple Sclerosis Society mobilizes people and resources to drive research for a cure and to address the challenges of everyone affected by MS. To fulfill this mission, the Society funds cutting-edge research, drives change through advocacy, facilitates professional education, collaborates with MS organizations around the world, and provides programs and services designed to help people with MS and their families move their lives forward. We partner with volunteers to accomplish our work. Staff members engage volunteers through effective and timely communications, facilitating meaningful opportunities, and continually seeking and providing feedback for reciprocal growth and learning.

Job Summary

The Director is responsible for leading the execution of our Walk MS campaign in the Connecticut-Rhode Island Chapter, which includes (7) events raising nearly $800,000. Serving as the senior fundraiser in the chapter, this role is accountable for achieving revenue goals through donor cultivation, team and participant activation, corporate partnership and campaign performance. They are key to deepening the engagement of our constituents not just through Walk MS but identifying opportunities to engage through other means of the Society as well. While the Director doesn’t necessarily manage people, they do help set the pace and standard for fundraising execution—partnering with the AVP and Assistant Director that are part of this team. Their ability to coach and influence others around them to achieve success is key. The Director will also be responsible for event production components in partnership with other staff on the team, as well as overse(e)it of Volunteer Engagement. This includes attending all of the events, packing event supplies and ensuring a seamless event-day experience occurs. This structure allows experienced fundraisers to focus on strategic leadership and collaboration, while supporting a more scalable management model across regions.

Location Requirement

This is a market-based role supporting our Northeast Region -- Connecticut - Rhode Island Chapter. The position requires regular, in-person attendance at meetings, constituent interactions, and events as well as travel as required and necessary up to approximately 50% of the work time. During the remaining time, work is primarily conducted remotely from either a home office or a National MS Society workspace (Society workspace not provided in all geographies). Preferred location(s): Hartford, CT or New Haven, CT.

Compensation | Benefits

The estimated hiring compensation range for this role is $70,000-$79,000. Final offers will be based on the candidate's geographic location, consider career experience and may vary from this range due to these and other factors. You will have the opportunity for a highly competitive, comprehensive benefit package that the Society provides to employees.

• Considerable Paid Time Off Plan
• Paid Holidays
• 401k Retirement Savings Plan with Society match
• Commuter Benefit Plan
• Comprehensive Health & Welfare benefits including:
• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Flex Spending Accounts
• Life Insurance
• Disability Coverage
• Spring Health Membership offering free therapy and professional coaching, as well as additional voluntary benefit offerings.

Main Responsibilities

• Drive revenue growth and meet campaign fundraising goals through strategic engagement of top fundraisers, team captains, local sponsor and donor engagement for the Society’s Community Event campaigns
• Serve as the market’s lead fundraiser for assigned campaigns, focusing on high-impact activity that boosts participation, retention, local sponsorship and fundraising totals
• Customize and implement national strategies to fit local context, aligning with regional objectives and donor trends
• Partner with the AVP to report on pacing, surface risks, and adjust execution as needed to achieve goals
• Foster cross-team alignment by coordinating frontline activity, reinforcing shared accountability, and supporting peer fundraisers in execution
• Use CRM and campaign dashboards to inform decisions, track performance, and continuously improve tactics

What We’re Looking For

• 4+ years of progressive experience in fundraising, donor relations, or nonprofit development, with a proven track record of meeting or exceeding fundraising goals
• Demonstrated success in managing donor pipelines, cultivating major gifts, and executing multi-channel fundraising campaigns
• Strong leadership and project management skills, with experience supervising staff or volunteers and coordinating cross-functional initiatives
• Proficiency in CRM systems (e.g., Raiser’s Edge, Salesforce) and data analysis to inform strategy and reporting
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage and inspire donors, board members, and community stakeholders
• Strategic thinker with the ability to develop and implement long-term fundraising plans aligned with organizational goals
• Experience planning and executing donor events, stewardship programs, and grant proposals

Diversity and Inclusion

The National MS Society is committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce. We strive to create a workforce that reflects the communities we serve and where everyone feels empowered to bring their authentic selves to work.