Manager, Advancement Events

Lindenwood; United States; On-site; USD 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Lindenwood University in the United States seeks an experienced Manager, Advancement Events to lead strategic planning, promotion, and execution of alumni, donor, and constituent events on campus, regionally, or online.

This role collaborates with Advancement leadership to deliver high-quality experiences, manage contracts, budgets, invitations, and post-event analysis, while aligning with fundraising goals and the University’s reputation.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in marketing, business, communications, hospitality management or related field.
• Minimum of 4 years experience in event planning, alumni relations, nonprofit management, hospitality, or a related field.
• Demonstrated success in conceptualizing, planning, and executing engagement, stewardship, or fundraising events from conception to completion.
• Experience managing budgets and vendor relationships.
• Ability to work evenings and weekends as event schedules require.
• Occasional travel to regional events may be required.
• Experience with Blackbaud Raiser's Edge NXT or similar CRM or event management software preferred.

Responsibilities

• Collaborates with advancement and unit colleagues to plan and execute events that support the institution’s advancement priorities, including fundraising, stewardship, and constituent engagement.
• Designs and executes a comprehensive calendar of alumni and donor events, including campaign events, homecoming events such as the annual gala, class and affinity reunions, regional engagement events, donor events, scholarship receptions, and online events, that tell the Lindenwood story and are aligned with institutional advancement priorities and campaign milestones.
• Develops a complete strategic plan for events, including but not limited to budget development and adherence, procurement, invitation strategies, event design and timeline, and post-event reporting and analysis.
• Oversees all event logistics, including venue selection, invitations, catering, décor, entertainment, transportation, registration, seating charts, attendee reports, technology and audiovisual needs, invitations, signage, guest management, speaker remarks, setup, and teardown.
• Ensures all event data is properly recorded in Blackbaud Raiser's Edge NXT
• Researches and analyzes venues and vendors to ensure competitive services and pricing
• Establishes data-driven KPIs and event-specific benchmarks, leveraging analytical oversight to balance donor experience with organizational advancement goals
• Partners closely with advancement colleagues, including strategic engagement, development officers, prospect research, and communications teams to ensure alignment of strategic priorities as well as seamless integration between advancement functional areas
• Ensures compliance with University policies related to contracts, purchasing, insurance, risk management, and event safety
• Serves on University committees, such as the homecoming committee
• Job may require other duties as assigned

Skills

Event planning

Budgeting

Vendor management

Project management

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in marketing, business, communications, hospitality management or related field

Tools

Blackbaud Raiser’s Edge NXT

Job description

Benefits of Being a Lindenwood Employee

Upon hire, employer-paid tuition benefits for bachelor’s (employee, spouse, and dependent) and master’s degree programs (employee and spouse only). Tuition discounts for doctoral programs (employee only). Comprehensive benefits plan: medical, dental, vision, life insurance, disability insurance, and retirement options. Paid holidays: MLK Jr. day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving break (Wednesday – Friday), and winter break (Dec. 23 – Jan. 1). Free lunch Fridays: LU employees are eligible for a free meal on Fridays at the Evans Commons Dining Hall or Spellman Dining Hall; Chick-fil-A and Qdoba included. Professional development opportunities through the Lindenwood Learning Academy.

Job Title Summary

Job Title: Manager, Advancement Events

Department: University Advancement

Evaluation Group: Staff

FLSA Status: Exempt

Reports To: Associate Vice President, Advancement Operations

Positions Supervised: N/A

Job Summary

The advancement events manager is responsible for the strategic planning, promotion, implementation, and assessment of alumni, donor, and constituent events, whether on campus, local, in a different state, or online. This position collaborates with Advancement leadership and colleagues and campus partners to create high-quality experiences that strengthen constituent relationships, increase engagement, support fundraising initiatives, and elevate the University's reputation. This position is responsible for all event details, including event planning, contracting and purchasing, event communications, invitation and reservation processes, pre-event and day of logistics, and post-event analysis.

Essential Job Functions and Performance Indicators

The intent of this job description is to provide a representation of the types of duties and level of responsibility that will be required of positions given this title. This job description shall not be construed as a declaration of the total of the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position. Employees may be directed to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.

Job Responsibilities and Execution

• Collaborates with advancement and unit colleagues to plan and execute events that support the institution’s advancement priorities, including fundraising, stewardship, and constituent engagement
• Designs and executes a comprehensive calendar of alumni and donor events, including campaign events, homecoming events such as the annual gala, class and affinity reunions, regional engagement events, donor events, scholarship receptions, and online events, that tell the Lindenwood story and are aligned with institutional advancement priorities and campaign milestones
• Develops a complete strategic plan for events, including but not limited to budget development and adherence, procurement, invitation strategies, event design and timeline, and post-event reporting and analysis
• Oversees all event logistics, including venue selection, invitations, catering, décor, entertainment, transportation, registration, seating charts, attendee reports, technology and audiovisual needs, invitations, signage, guest management, speaker remarks, setup, and teardown
• Ensures all event data is properly recorded in Blackbaud Raiser’s Edge NXT
• Researches and analyzes venues and vendors to ensure competitive services and pricing
• Establishes data-driven KPIs and event-specific benchmarks, leveraging analytical oversight to balance donor experience with organizational advancement goals
• Partners closely with advancement colleagues, including strategic engagement, development officers, prospect research, and communications teams to ensure alignment of strategic priorities as well as seamless integration between advancement functional areas
• Ensures compliance with University policies related to contracts, purchasing, insurance, risk management, and event safety
• Serves on University committees, such as the homecoming committee
• Job may require other duties as assigned

Service Excellence

• Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with faculty, staff, colleagues, vendors and students
• Strives to provide exceptional hospitality and service for all event participants and stakeholders
• Creates welcoming and engaging experiences that foster meaningful connections with the University
• Provides on-site presence and support during events to ensure event coordination and success, proactively handling arising issues and troubleshooting emerging problems
• Supports the mission of the University and serves as an ambassador of the Q2 culture of service excellence
• Models, supports, and holds others accountable to the University’s values

Communication, Teamwork and Collaboration

• Collaborates with advancement and University colleagues, vendors, contractors, volunteers, and event venue staff to execute seamless events
• Partners with operations, IT, and other campus departments to reserve event spaces and coordinate logistical needs
• Gathers feedback and analyzes event effectiveness
• Maintains a collaborative and solutions-oriented approach while managing multiple priorities and deadlines
• Works with marketing and communications colleagues to promote Lindenwood events
• Collaborates with advancement colleagues to plan events on an annual basis

Required Qualifications

• An equivalent combination of education, training and experience will be considered. Additional requirements may be designated by position.
• Bachelor’s degree in marketing, business, communications, hospitality management or related field
• Minimum of 4 years experience working in event planning, alumni relations, nonprofit management, hospitality, or a related field
• Demonstrated success in conceptualizing, planning, and executing engagement, stewardship, or fundraising events from conception to completion
• Experience managing budgets and vendor relationships
• Ability to work evenings and weekends as event schedules require
• Occasional travel to regional events may be required
• Experience with Blackbaud Raiser’s Edge NXT or similar CRM or event management software preferred

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with individuals from diverse communities and cultures
• Demonstrated commitment to designing and implementing creative and innovative events
• Strong project management, event planning, and organizational skills
• Excellent customer service and relationship-building skills
• Ability to remain calm and professional during crisis and through the high pressure of an event in progress
• Strong negotiation, budgeting and vendor management skills
• Problem-solving skills to quickly resolve issues as they occur during events
• Ability to manage multiple projects independently

Work Environment

Environmental or atmospheric conditions commonly associated with the performance of this job’s functions.

General office setting

Frequent work at on-campus and off-campus events

Varied hours, including nights and weekends, based on event schedule and demands

Loca and occasional regional travel may be required

Physical Abilities

Standard Flex Physical Abilities – The physical demands described below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform this job’s essential functions.

• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
• Ability to work effectively at a computer for up to eight hours daily
• Ability to sit, stand, and walk for extended periods of time
• Ability to carry, lift and move event materials weighing up to 25 points
• Ability to assist with event setup, operation, and teardown
• Regular attendance is a necessary and essential function

Equal Opportunity Employer

Lindenwood University is an Equal Opportunity employer. The University complies with appropriate federal, state, and local laws and provides equal employment opportunities and access to educational programs without regard to race, color, religion, gender, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, disability, or any other protected status to all qualified applicants and employees. Lindenwood University is committed to a policy of non-discrimination and dedicated to providing a positive discrimination-free educational work environment. The Human Resources Division's purpose is to support the University's efforts in providing a quality education and experience for all Lindenwood students. We achieve this by facilitating and supporting the selection and retention of highly qualified and diverse employees to serve our students and by providing for the professional success and the personal wellness of our employees.