Special Events Manager

Duchesne Academy Of The Sacred Heart; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Duchesne Academy is seeking a Special Events Manager to lead fundraising events, manage donor engagement, and oversee project timelines and budgets. Join a passionate team dedicated to making a significant impact through innovative event planning and execution.

Benefits

Collaborative Work Environment

Opportunities for Innovation and Advancement

Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience in event planning or nonprofit development.
• Proven success in planning large-scale fundraising events.

Responsibilities

• Support planning and execution of fundraising events.
• Cultivate relationships with major donors and sponsors.
• Coordinate event committees and volunteers.

Skills

Project Management

Communication

Interpersonal Skills

Organizational Skills

Multitasking

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Tools

Fundraising Platforms

Job description

Description

Summary:

At Duchesne Academy, we are dedicated to educating girls in the 200+ year tradition of Sacred Heart as envisioned by St. Madeleine Sophie Barat and St. Philippine Duchesne, our namesake. We believe that a transformational education begins with strong community support…and that’s where you come in. We are seeking a dynamic and strategic Special Events Manager to assist in the planning and execution of high-impact fundraising and stewardship events that inspire donors, engage supporters, and drive critical revenue for our mission. The Special Events Manager role requires an expert project manager who excels in donor engagement, vendor management, budget oversight, and event storytelling.

Why Join Us

• Be a part of a passionate team making a real impact.
• Learn and grow under the guidance of experienced fundraising professionals.
• Collaborative work environment with opportunities for innovation and advancement.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Support the planning and execution of all fundraising events, including the annual Extravaganza dinner and auction, the Sporting Clay tournament, and a host of donor receptions.
• Develop detailed project timelines, budgets, and logistical plans, and add them to the shared Advancement calendar.
• Identify and secure venues, vendors, entertainment, and sponsors.
• Collaborate with the communications team to promote events and ensure consistent messaging via social media, videos, emails, and parent DASHboards.
• Cultivate relationships with major donors, sponsors, and community partners.
• Coordinate event committees and volunteers; serve as primary point of contact for all event-related communications.
• Assist in the production of Advancement Committee and Board Reports and prepare minutes for each Advancement Committee meeting.
• Stay current on industry trends and bring innovative ideas to elevate event experiences.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Minimum Education/Prior Experience/Qualifications Required:

• 3+ years of experience in event planning, fundraising, nonprofit development, or a related field.
• Proven success in planning large-scale events with fundraising goals.
• Exceptional project management and organizational skills.
• Strong interpersonal and communication abilities; comfortable with donor and sponsor engagement.
• Ability to multitask in a fast-paced environment and manage competing priorities.
• Familiarity with fundraising platforms.
• Flexibility to work evenings and weekends as needed.

Upon Hiring

• Successful completion of criminal offenders’ records information and sexual offender registry checks.
• Successful completion of CMG Safe Environment Training.
• Current CPR certification.

Essential Expectations

All faculty and staff members at Duchesne Academy of the Sacred Heart are expected and required to do the following:

• Overtly support and act in accordance with the Goals and Criteria of the Society of the Sacred Heart; this expectation includes attendance at and applicable participation in faith-based practices.
• Foster a safe, predictable, and supportive environment.
• Interact with colleagues in a respectful and collegial manner that contributes to a healthy school culture.
• Demonstrate appropriate planning and preparation and fulfill routine responsibilities in a thoughtful and timely manner.
• Uphold professional standards of personal presentation, professional courtesy, discretion, punctuality and attendance at all required meetings and events.
• Appropriately carry out specific duties as determined by the Head of School and/or supervisor.
• Maintain professional credentials and complete required training. Participate in and provide documentation for at least one professional development opportunity per year in addition to those required and provided by the school.
• Respect the confidentiality of the school, its employees, students, and families.
• Comply with the policies and procedures as articulated in the faculty and staff handbook.
• Authentically engage in the school’s self-reflection process that requires written goals and measured progress towards them.

Nothing in this Job Description restricts Duchesne’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this position at any time. This position is at will, which means that either the employee or Duchesne may terminate the employment relationship at any time, with or without notice and for any reason or no reason.

Duchesne Academy of the Sacred Heart is committed to providing equal opportunity in all of its employment practices, including selection, hiring, promotion, transfer, and compensation, to all qualified applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex (gender), age, national origin, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law.