Director, Community Events

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

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off

401k with match

Commuter benefits

Job summary

The National MS Society is seeking a Director to lead the Walk MS campaign in the Connecticut-Rhode Island Chapter, overseeing seven events that raise substantial funds and drive donor engagement across multiple channels.

The role requires strategic leadership to meet revenue goals, cultivate major gifts, and coordinate with AVP and Assistant Director. Travel to events and regional meetings will be required as part of a market-based, community-focused approach.

Qualifications

• 4+ years of progressive experience in fundraising, donor relations, or nonprofit development.
• 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.
• 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.

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 strategy

Donor relations

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 seven (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 oversite 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 amarket-based rolesupporting ourNortheast Region -- Connecticut - Rhode Island Chapter.As a market-based employee, you will spend up to 50% of your work time in the community cultivating relationships, attending events, and supporting local initiatives. The role includes limited travel throughout the assigned market and region, as well as occasional overnight travel for regional and enterprise meetings, trainings, and events.

Preferred location(s):

Hartford, CT, New Haven, CT, New London, CT, or Fairfield, 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.

Your Benefits Include

• 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.

Not to mention, you will join an incredible mission focused team of people!

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.

We’re committed to supporting the growth of every employee through a structured and transparent approach tocareer development. We use Talent Portraits to define clear expectations, development opportunities, and advancement paths — whether you're growing as a people leader or deepening your expertise as an individual contributor. Each role is thoughtfully placed within one of these pathways (Leadership or Partner) to help you understand how it fits into our broader organization and your potential career journey.

This position is classified asPartner - Knowledge Expert.

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. We need you and your unique talents and perspectives to help us write the last chapter on MS.