Sr. Manager II, Events - Knoxville, TN

American Chemical Society; Oregon; Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off

Benefits package

Job summary

The American Cancer Society is seeking a results-driven fundraising professional to lead a home-based portfolio focused on donor engagement and event fundraising. You will build high-impact relationships, drive revenue growth, and expand pipelines while coordinating with volunteers and partners.

This role requires at least a bachelor’s degree and 2 years of fundraising experience; strong analytical skills, the ability to influence others, and exceptional relationship building are essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in related field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum 2 years successful experience in fundraising and relationship development.

Responsibilities

• Builds and elevates relationships with high-impact donors, sponsors, and volunteer leaders to drive revenue and retention.
• Leads complex event portfolios, ensuring strong execution, financial performance, and participant experience.
• Develops and implements strategies to grow revenue, expand donor pipelines, and increase long-term engagement.
• Aligns event partners and participants to broader cultivation strategies, advancing movement through the donor pipeline.
• Analyzes performance trends and identifies opportunities for growth and optimization.
• Provides guidance and leadership to peers or project teams as needed.

Skills

Relationship-building

Donor engagement

Analytical thinking

Influence without authority

Problem-solving

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Job description

At the American Cancer Society, we're working to end cancer as we know it, for everyone. Our employees and 1.3 million volunteers are raising the bar every single day. We are a culture comprised of diverse backgrounds and experience, to better serve our communities. The people who work at the American Cancer Society focus their diverse talents on our lifesaving mission. It is a calling. And the people who answer it are fulfilled.

This position is a home-based role with the expectation that the selected candidate resides in Knoxville, TN.

Responsible for leading the strategy, planning, and execution of a $750,000+ event fundraising portfolio. Drives revenue growth through advanced relationship management, strategic donor engagement, and volunteer leadership development. Expands impact by strengthening pipelines and aligning event fundraising with broader organizational priorities.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Builds and elevates relationships with high-impact donors, sponsors, and volunteer leaders to drive increased revenue and retention. 35%
• Leads complex event portfolios, ensuring strong execution, financial performance, and participant experience. 20%
• Develops and implements strategies to grow revenue, expand donor pipelines, and increase long-term engagement. 20%
• Aligns event partners and participants to broader cultivation strategies, advancing movement through the donor pipeline. 10%
• Analyzes performance trends and identifies opportunities for growth and optimization. 10%
• Provides guidance and leadership to peers or project teams as needed. 5%

EXPERIENCE/QUALIFICATIONS:

• Minimum Degree Required: Bachelors in related field and/or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Preferred Degree:
• Certificate(s) or License(s): None
• Years of experience: 2 years successful experience in fundraising and relationship development

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITY:

• Demonstrated success managing larger, more complex fundraising portfolios.
• Advanced relationship-building and donor engagement skills.
• Ability to develop and implement growth strategies.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to influence without authority and lead through others.
• Strong financial and performance management skills.
• Ability to identify and act on opportunities to expand impact.

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS:

• Travel varies depending on the portfolio assignment and event staffing model
• Must be able to attend evening and weekend meetings, events and programs either remotely or in-person depending on the portfolio assignment

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Some lifting may be needed as part of event set up activities

The starting rate is $70,000 to $80,000. The final candidate's relevant experience/skills will be considered before an offer is extended. Actual starting pay will vary based on non-discriminatory factors including, but not limited to, geographic location, experience, skills, specialty, and education.

ACS provides staff a generous paid time off policy; medical, dental, retirement benefits, wellness programs, and professional development programs to enhance staff skills. Further details on our benefits can be found on our careers site at: jobs.cancer.org/benefits.

We are a proud equal opportunity employer.