Special Events Manager

The Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee; Sarasota (FL); On-site; USD 55,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

The Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee is seeking a Special Events Manager in Sarasota, FL to drive donor engagement and produce impactful events. This role leads planning, vendor management, and on-site execution while collaborating with staff and volunteers to deliver exceptional experiences for giving societies and supporters.

With a focus on creative direction, budgets, and post-event analytics, the position plays a pivotal role in shaping the Federation's donor relations and community

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant/related field.
• 2–5 years of event experience or related work.
• Commitment to strong staff culture and team values.
• Excellent planning and organization.
• Exceptional research abilities.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and collaborate across diverse personalities.
• Outstanding negotiation skills.

Responsibilities

• Oversee and execute all annual development events (10–100+ guests) including donor appreciation events, annual luncheon, and specialized events for giving societies.
• Develop and manage sponsorship giving structure and solicitation (with Director of Engagement).
• Manage portfolio of Lions of Judah and Pomegranate Societies’ events (committees/chairs, pin process, liaise ahead of bi-annual conference).
• Collaborate with staff and volunteer leaders to coordinate events.
• Plan major events with volunteer leaders or lead staff.
• Set event strategy and marketing.
• Conduct research, site visits, and resource finding.
• Create and track event budgets and ensure adherence.
• Review/negotiates/approve vendor proposals, contracts, and invoices.
• Coordinate and monitor event timelines and deadlines.
• Serve as vendor liaison.
• Help determine creative direction (including design work as needed).
• Work closely with Marketing and other staff on marketing timeline.
• Coordinate staff roles, event job descriptions, and training.
• Provide on-site day-of event management.
• Complete post-event follow-up (contracts, payments, etc.).
• Enhance onsite Federation branding.
• Measure event results and analytics.
• Learn and adapt to evolving systems as the organization grows and shifts.

Skills

Event planning

Donor engagement

Sponsorships

Budget management

Vendor negotiation

Marketing coordination

Team collaboration

Project management

Education

Bachelor's degree in a related field

Job description

Special Events Manager - Sarasota, FL

Reports to: Director of Engagement

Summary: Plays a pivotal role in ensuring strong donor engagement and is often the first point of introduction for a donor to the Federation. Strategic leader who creates donor event experiences and opportunities to thank and celebrate donors at all levels.

Essential Responsibilities

• oversee and execute all annual development events (10–100+ guests) including donor appreciation events, annual luncheon, and specialized events for giving societies
• develop and manage sponsorship giving structure and solicitation (with Director of Engagement)
• manage portfolio of Lions of Judah and Pomegranate Societies’ events (committees/chairs, pin process, liaise ahead of bi-annual conference)
• collaborate with staff and volunteer leaders to coordinate events
• plan major events with volunteer leaders or lead staff
• set event strategy and marketing
• conduct research, site visits, and resource finding
• create and track event budgets and ensure adherence
• review/negotiates/approve vendor proposals, contracts, and invoices
• coordinate and monitor event timelines and deadlines
• serve as vendor liaison
• help determine creative direction (including design work as needed)
• work closely with Marketing and other staff on marketing timeline
• coordinate staff roles, event job descriptions, and training
• provide on-site day-of event management
• complete post-event follow-up (contracts, payments, etc.)
• enhance onsite Federation branding
• measure event results and analytics
• learn and adapt to evolving systems as the organization grows and shifts

Preferred Qualifications

• bachelor’s degree in a relevant/related field
• 2–5 years of event experience or related work
• commitment to strong staff culture and team values
• excellent planning and organization
• exceptional research abilities
• excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• ability to manage multiple projects and collaborate across diverse personalities
• outstanding negotiation skills

JFSM is committed to an inclusive culture, positive and growth-oriented work environment, excellent staff benefits, and professional development opportunities.