Director, Events & Special Initiatives
Freedom House
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Benefits offered by this job
Job summary
Freedom House is seeking a dynamic Director, Events & Special Initiatives to lead the organization’s events strategy, drive donor engagement, and manage a portfolio of high-level events across the United States and abroad. Reporting to the Chief Advancement Officer, you will oversee budgeting, vendor management, and cross-functional collaboration to advance fundraising and visibility.
You will partner with development and communications to align messaging, campaigns, and stakeholder engagement
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree required; Master's degree preferred.
- 8–12 years of experience in nonprofit development, event management, and/or external engagement roles.
- Demonstrated experience leading a portfolio of complex, high-level events with accountability for strategy, budgets, and senior stakeholders.
- Strong project management, communication, and interpersonal skills; ability to influence across teams.
Responsibilities
- Develop and execute an organization-wide events and special initiatives strategy.
- Lead full lifecycle of events (galas, fundraisers, convenings) from concept to completion.
- Manage budgets, vendors, and on-site execution.
- Advise executive leadership and set event priorities, timelines, and resource needs.
- Coordinate with development to cultivate donors and secure sponsorships.
- Plan and manage high-level events and engagement tied to campaigns and leadership travel.
- Collaborate with communications to promote events and maintain web presence.
Skills
Education
Tools
Job description
Established more than 80 years ago on the core conviction that freedom flourishes in democratic nations where governments are accountable to their people, Freedom House is a non-partisan, non-profit organization that works to defend and expand freedom globally to help secure a world where all are free. Around the world, repressive regimes are preventing billions of people from exercising their fundamental rights. We identify and analyze threats to freedom, mobilize decision makers to respond to those threats and seize opportunities for progress, and support activists and organizations working to defend and expand freedom. We are dedicated to ensuring that the United States serves as a positive model of democratic practice at home and a consistent champion of freedom globally. By gathering authoritative data and leveraging our global networks, Freedom House is an unwavering beacon in protecting human rights and promoting democratic governance.
Freedom House is seeking a dynamic and highly organized Director, Events & Special Initiatives to serve as the organization's senior lead for events and special initiatives. The Director will develop and execute an organization-wide events and special initiatives strategy that advances Freedom House's mission, fundraising goals, campaign priorities, visibility, and stakeholder engagement. This role combines strategic portfolio leadership with hands‑on execution and requires strong independent judgment, enterprise-level project ownership, budget and financial stewardship, vendor and contract management, donor‑facing coordination, executive advising, and measurable event outcomes.
This is an exciting moment for Freedom House, with new leadership, the organization's 85th Anniversary, and the launch of Investing in Freedom's Future, a five-year, $85 million campaign to strengthen Freedom House's flagship research, deepen engagement with policymakers, expand direct assistance to human rights defenders, and invest in new work to push back against authoritarian abuses. We are seeking a candidate who can hit the ground running by independently planning and executing public, donor‑focused, Board, campaign, and high‑level engagement events in Washington, DC, key metropolitan cities across the United States, and abroad.
Reporting to the Chief Advancement Officer, this role will work closely with the Development and Communications teams to ensure alignment on messaging, branding, fundraising goals, campaign priorities, visibility, and strategic positioning across all events and convenings. The Director will serve as a senior internal advisor to the Chief Advancement Officer and senior leadership on event strategy, audience and stakeholder engagement, portfolio priorities, event investment, and resource needs. The role will also collaborate across the organization, including with C‑suite, mid‑level, and junior‑level staff, to design and execute events that position Freedom House's thought leadership, drive donor and partnership cultivation, support campaign‑related engagement, and strengthen Freedom House's visibility and impact worldwide.
- Develop and execute an organization-wide events and special initiatives strategy aligned with Freedom House's mission, fundraising, campaign, visibility, and stakeholder‑engagement priorities.
- Establish annual portfolio goals, budgets, performance measures, strategic priorities, and resource plans; advise the Chief Advancement Officer and senior leadership on results, risks, opportunities, and resource needs.
- Lead the full lifecycle of events, including galas, fundraisers, convenings, special initiatives, campaign-related events, and virtual initiatives, from concept to completion, including budgeting, venue selection, and vendor management in Washington, DC, nationally, and abroad.
- Manage all aspects of event delivery, including concept development, logistics, vendor coordination, budgeting, and on‑site execution.
- Exercise independent judgment in establishing organization-wide policies and practices for events and special initiatives and in setting event priorities, budgets, vendor and contracting approaches, timelines, risk controls, and stakeholder coordination to ensure strategic execution.
- Ensure events are aligned with organizational priorities, messaging, and fundraising objectives.
- Own the development and ongoing management of a strategic calendar of priority events and convenings for executives and experts across the organization.
- Partner with the Development team to shape and execute event strategies that support donor cultivation, stewardship, solicitation, campaign engagement, and fundraising growth.
- Identify and develop opportunities for event sponsorships and corporate partnerships in coordination with Development, including sponsor strategy, cultivation, benefits, and stewardship.
- Ensure each event contributes meaningfully to pipeline development, donor engagement, campaign visibility, and revenue growth.
- Work closely with C‑suite, mid‑level, and junior‑level staff to align events with CEO and President engagement priorities.
- Support planning and execution of events tied to leadership travel.
- Prepare briefing materials, run‑of‑show documents, and follow‑up plans for executive participation.
- Working closely with the communications team, develop content for event and special initiative emails, social media, and other collateral to ensure messages engage key target audiences.
- Support the communications team in maintaining the web presence for Freedom House events and special initiatives and developing event‑specific social promotion.
- Collaborate closely with the communications team to ensure consistent messaging, branding, and visibility.
- Coordinate with program and research/policy teams, including the Director of Policy and Advocacy, to align event content, speakers, and external engagement with organizational priorities.
- Serve as a central point of coordination across teams, including research, programs, and advocacy, for event‑related activities.
- Lead cross‑functional project teams through influence and project leadership, establishing clear roles, decision points, timelines, and accountability for event delivery.
- Lead planning and execution of Freedom House's Annual Awards, which celebrate leaders who make a difference in the global struggle for freedom.
- Lead the development of other major fundraising events annually, in coordination with the Chief Advancement Officer and senior leadership.
- Lead planning and support of campaign‑related events and donor engagement tied to Freedom House's 85th Anniversary and Investing in Freedom's Future, including events and convenings in the United States and abroad.
- Plan and execute Board‑related events, including convenings, retreats, and engagement opportunities.
- Lead the events, convenings, and engagement strategy associated with the Global Leadership Council, and partner with program teams on advisory council and fellowship‑related convenings and special initiatives.
- Support events and convenings related to key initiatives, including the Fred Hiatt Program to Free Political Prisoners.
- Identify and develop new convenings that expand Freedom House's reach and influence.
- Own budget planning, forecasting, and financial stewardship for the events and special initiatives portfolio, in partnership with the Chief Advancement Officer, Development, and Finance.
- Manage vendor procurement and contracting within delegated authority, ensuring appropriate approvals, financial controls, risk management, and post‑event reconciliation.
- Develop and maintain event planning policies, systems, timelines, and best practices.
- Track, evaluate, and report on portfolio and event performance, including attendance, engagement, donor outcomes, fundraising results, strategic impact, and return on investment; use findings to inform future priorities and investment.
- Oversee updates to key event invitation lists.
- Identify opportunities to improve efficiency, impact, and return on investment.
- Bachelor's degree required; Master's degree preferred, in fundraising management, marketing, business, nonprofit leadership, or related area of study.
- Demonstrated experience leading a portfolio of complex, high‑level events and/or special initiatives with accountability for strategy, budgets, vendors or contracts, senior stakeholders, and measurable outcomes.
- Demonstrated ability to advise executive leadership and lead complex cross‑functional work through influence, sound judgment, and clear accountability.
- 8–12 years of experience in nonprofit development, event management, and/or external engagement roles.
- Proven experience planning and executing high‑level events, preferably in a nonprofit, policy, or international context.
- Strong project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
- Experience working with senior leaders and managing executive‑level events.
- Excellent verbal and written communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills for building relationships and creating content and materials.
- Experience integrating fundraising, donor cultivation or stewardship, sponsorship, or partnership objectives into events and external engagement strategies.
- Familiarity with international programs, democracy, or human rights issues.
- Experience working with corporate sponsors or partnerships.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills.
- Extremely versatile; able to prioritize and perform multiple tasks with excellent attention to detail and the ability to set and meet deadlines and drive projects to conclusion.
- Nimble business mind with a focus on developing creative solutions.
- Strong project reporting skills, with a focus on inter‑departmental communication.
- Ability to maintain the highest degree of confidentiality and exhibit unquestionable integrity, honesty, and forthrightness.
- Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to respond promptly to inquiries in a courteous and professional manner.
- Ability to successfully work collaboratively with all levels of employees, management, external partners, and funders.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel and Power Point).
- Strong interpersonal skills, diplomatic, and responsive.
- Strong work ethic and desire for personal and professional development. Demonstrable desire for personal excellence. Assesses own strengths and weaknesses; pursues training and development opportunities; strives to continuously build knowledge and skills.
- Deeply committed to nonpartisanship, exhibiting a strong and sustained commitment to the mission of Freedom House.
- Committed to a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace where all feel that they belong.
- Works as an effective team member, successfully balancing individual and team responsibilities.
- Freedom House established core values are belonging, collaboration, excellence, integrity, and respect. Through these values we prioritize creating a supportive and inclusive environment, emphasize collective efforts for success, are dedicated to high‑quality impactful work, uphold trust through courage and honesty, and treat everyone with dignity while appreciating their unique contributions.
- Applicants are required to complete our online application form and to submit a resume and a cover letter that outlines interests and qualifications for this position.
- Salaries are commensurate with experience and based on pay grades that prioritize equity across the organization.
- Candidates must possess authorization to work in the United States independent from Freedom House sponsorship.
- Salaries are commensurate with experience and based on pay grades that prioritize equity across the organization. Salary range for this role is $140,000 to $150,000 annualized, dependent upon experience.
- We are consistently working to retain and attract top talent to contribute to our continual growth.
- We are proud to offer an excellent benefits package including:
- Multiple medical plans, dental, and vision insurance available on the first date of hire
- 403(b) Retirement Plan with up to a 10% employer match
- Generous Leave Programs
- Annual paid time off that grows with your employment: 17 days for 0‑2 years, 21 days for 3‑5 years, 25 days for 6+ years. Director level and above start at 25 days.
- Sick Leave: 10 days per year, unlimited roll over year to year
- 14 paid holidays with the ability to float the day later within the same calendar year
- Caregiver Leave: 40 days paid
- Bereavement Leave: 5 days paid
- Jury duty: 30 days paid
- Flexible, hybrid work culture with slow down weeks and “no meeting Fridays”
- Mental health and well‑being services through our Employee Assistance Programs
- Flexible spending accounts
- Short-term and long-term disability
- Supplemental/Voluntary life insurance
- General Working Conditions
- General working office environment or telework.
- May require long hours, including evenings and weekends, to complete tasks.
- Willingness to travel as needed.
- Work Environment and Physical Demands
- Essential functions are typically performed in an office setting or remote work. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
- Freedom House is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate in its selection and employment practices. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, disability, or protected veteran status, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, or other non‑merit factors.
Requisition Number: 1486
Freedom House Equal Employment Opportunity: Freedom House is an equal employment opportunity employer. Freedom House will ensure equal employment opportunity, and will not discriminate or engage in harassment on the basis of assumed or self disclosed lived experience of homelessness, race, color, ethnicity, age, national origin, native language or dialect, immigration or citizenship status, indigeneity, sex (including intersex identity), gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation (including asexuality), romantic attraction, body type or size, disability (visible or invisible, including mental health and neurodivergence) regardless of formal diagnosis, HIV status, arrest or conviction record or court involvement, parental status (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, and medical conditions related to pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding), sexual and other reproductive health decisions (including family planning, history of abortion, miscarriage etc.), credit history, salary history, housing status, residential location, caregiver status, marital status, partnership(s) status, family structure, status as a survivor of domestic violence (including dating or intimate partner violence), status as a survivor of stalking and/or sexual violence, status as a survivor of any other type of violence, religion or spiritual beliefs and practice, genetic information, military status, employment status, educational background, wealth background, political affiliation or practice, drug use history, history of sex work, participation in other underground economies or any other characteristic as protected by law in any aspect of the employment relationship, including recruiting, hiring, promotion or demotion, transfer, layoff or other form of termination, compensation, assignments, and benefits. With regard to the Americans with Disabilities Act and other related laws, Freedom House will endeavor to make reasonable accommodations for the following reasons: known physical or mental disabilities; the sincere religious beliefs of its employees; and pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions.
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