Director of Donor Events & Stewardship

Dana; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston is seeking a seasoned events professional to lead donor relations events. You will manage a portfolio of recognition, stewardship, and cultivation events and partner with leadership to advance fundraising goals.

The role emphasizes strategic planning, budgeting, vendor coordination, and creating compelling event materials, with frequent collaboration across Dana-Farber leadership and philanthropic staff. Evening/weekend work and local travel are required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and 5+ years of professional experience.
• Philanthropy experience; direct work with donors preferred.
• Experience planning or collaborating with event planners for philanthropy events.
• Ability to plan strategically for stewarding, cultivating, and recognizing major donors via events.
• Strong attention to detail and editing of materials.
• Excellent organizational skills and process improvement ability.
• Comfort working with Dana-Farber constituencies and high-level leadership.
• Positive, can-do attitude aligned with fundraising goals.

Responsibilities

• Participate in strategic planning related to new event concepts and present to leadership.
• Manage a portfolio of large recognition, stewardship, and cultivation events.
• Supervise event goals, catering, A/V, materials, volunteers, and donor gifts.
• Lead all event planning meetings and drive discussions to goals.
• Coordinate briefing materials for senior leadership and staff.
• Work with vendors to obtain best prices and services.
• Prepare and monitor budgets; create evaluation and reports.
• Develop project management tools to aid event planning.
• Build relationships with Business Units and implement targeted programming.
• Collaborate with leadership to meet fundraising goals; support division-wide objectives.

Skills

Strategic planning

Budget management

Donor relations

Event planning

Attention to detail

Organizational skills

Customer service mindset

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Job description

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston is seeking a seasoned events professional to lead donor relations events. You will manage a portfolio of recognition, stewardship, and cultivation events and partner with leadership to advance fundraising goals.

The role emphasizes strategic planning, budgeting, vendor coordination, and creating compelling event materials, with frequent collaboration across Dana-Farber leadership and philanthropic staff. Evening/weekend work and local travel are required.