Lead, Events & Experiences

Groves Learning Organization; Saint Louis Park (MN); On-site; USD 58,000 - 78,000; Full time

Job summary

Groves Learning Organization in Minnesota is seeking a Lead, Events & Experiences to design and deliver donor-focused events that advance our mission.

You will own strategy, run-of-show, budgets, vendors, and guest experiences, while deepening relationships with sponsors, alumni, families, and community partners.

Evenings and weekends may be required as events occur outside standard hours; you will collaborate with the Director of Development and the Advancement team.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent with three or more years in nonprofit fundraising events.
• Experience managing vendors, budgets, timelines, and complex event logistics.
• Evening and weekend availability required.
• Strong focus on donor engagement and building community partnerships.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute an annual events strategy supporting fundraising and donor engagement.
• Lead event planning from idea to execution, including timelines, registration, vendors.
• Manage budgets, invitations, communications, volunteers, and run-of-show.
• Track outcomes like attendance, revenue, ROI, and donor relationships.

Skills

Event planning

Donor engagement

Budget management

Vendor coordination

Volunteer management

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Job description

Full-Time | 12 Months | Exempt

Salary Range: $58,000 - $78,000

Create experiences that move people—and move our mission forward.

At Groves Learning Organization, events are about more than filling a room.

They are opportunities to bring people closer to our mission, introduce new people to the work, deepen relationships with those who already believe in us, and inspire investment in what is possible for students with learning differences.

We are looking for a Lead, Events & Experiences who can bring all of that to life. As part of our Advancement Team, you will help create the experiences that allow donors, sponsors, alumni, community leaders, families, and future supporters to see that impact firsthand.

This is a role for someone who loves creating exceptional experiences but also understands why they matter. You can manage the details, build the run-of-show, work with vendors, welcome guests, support volunteers, and make the room feel effortless—but you are also thinking about the bigger picture:

Who should be here? How do we deepen their connection to Groves? What happens after the event? And how can this experience help grow the community of people investing in our mission?

If that sounds like the way you think, we would love to meet you.

About Groves

Groves Learning Organization exists to empower every learner to discover their brilliance.

Through specialized education, diagnostic services, tutoring, literacy partnerships, and other learning supports, Groves serves students and families who experience learning differences and helps educators bring evidence-based literacy instruction to more learners.

Our work changes trajectories—and philanthropy helps make that work possible.

What You'll Do

Build experiences with purpose

You will develop and execute an annual strategy for events and experiences that supports Groves' fundraising, donor engagement, sponsorship, and community-building goals.

Every gathering should have a reason for existing—and you'll help us be intentional about the audience, experience, desired outcome, follow-up, and measures of success.

Bring the details together beautifully

You will lead event planning from idea through execution, including:

• Timelines and project plans
• Registration and guest experience
• Vendors and production partners
• Budgets and expense management
• Invitations and event communications
• Volunteers and host committees
• Run-of-show
• Post-event follow-up and evaluation

You will be the person who can see both the hundred small details that make an event successful and the larger strategy those details are serving.

Turn engagement into relationships

Our goal isn't simply for someone to attend a Groves event.

We want them to leave more connected to our mission than when they arrived.

You will partner with our fundraising team to strengthen relationships with existing donors and sponsors while helping us welcome new supporters, corporate partners, community connectors, volunteers, and prospective donors into the Groves community.

You'll help ensure that the energy created during an event continues afterward through thoughtful stewardship and intentional follow-up.

Grow sponsorship and philanthropic opportunity

You’ll help identify, cultivate, and steward event sponsors and community partners.

You’ll also work closely with colleagues across Advancement to connect event participation with annual giving, major gifts, institutional relationships, sponsorship opportunities, and volunteer leadership.

Know what's working

We want to learn from what we do.

You’ll help track outcomes such as:

• Event and sponsorship revenue
• Net revenue and return on investment
• Attendance and engagement
• New donor and prospect relationships
• Sponsor acquisition and renewal
• Follow-up and conversion
• Growth of Groves' philanthropic network

You’ll use that information—not simply to report results—but to make the next experience even stronger.

You’ll Work With People Across Groves

This role reports to the Director of Development and works closely with Advancement colleagues responsible for individual giving, annual giving, institutional giving, data and insights, and marketing.

You’ll also collaborate with leaders throughout Groves, including Finance, program teams, executive leadership, volunteers, vendors, community partners, and members of our Board.

We believe the strongest experiences happen when people work across boundaries toward a shared purpose.

You Might Be a Great Fit If You...

• Are highly organized without losing sight of the bigger picture.
• Can manage multiple timelines, vendors, personalities, and priorities without dropping the ball.
• Understand that hospitality is fundamentally about relationships.
• Are energized by meeting donors, sponsors, community leaders, volunteers, and new people.
• Think beyond "the event" to what happens before and after it.
• Can manage a budget and care about both impact and return on investment.
• Enjoy building something—not simply maintaining what already exists.
• Are comfortable working collaboratively across departments.
• Take initiative, solve problems, and remain steady when plans inevitably change.
• Care deeply about creating experiences that reflect the mission and values of the organization you represent.

Experience We're Looking For

We are most interested in what you can bring to the role.

A bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and relevant experience is preferred, along with approximately three or more years of experience in areas such as:

• Nonprofit or fundraising events
• Donor experiences
• Hospitality
• Constituent or community engagement
• Development or Advancement

Experience managing vendors, budgets, volunteers, timelines, and complex event logistics is especially helpful.

Because events occasionally happen outside the traditional workday, this position requires some evening and weekend availability.

What Success Looks Like

• Create more intentional experiences.
• Strengthen the connection between events and philanthropy.
• Grow sponsorship and community partnerships.
• Deepen relationships with current supporters.
• Introduce new people to our mission.
• And build clearer pathways from participation to investment.

Most importantly, you'll help people experience Groves in a way that makes them want to become part of what comes next.

How We Work

Our values guide how we show up for students, families, donors, partners, and one another:

Authenticity — We communicate honestly and build trust.

Collaboration — We work across teams toward shared outcomes.

Compassion — We recognize and value the humanity, strengths, and experiences of others.

Discovery — We stay curious, learn, and continually improve.

Tenacity — We persist with purpose, especially when the work is difficult.

At Groves, we believe meaningful work happens when talented people bring their ideas, their strengths, and their whole selves to a shared mission.

If you're excited by the idea of creating experiences that build community, strengthen relationships, and ultimately help more learners discover their brilliance, we hope you'll apply.