Community // Job Opportunities

Special Events Manager

Music Academy of The West
posted 1/7/2012

Position: Special Events Manager
Organization: Music Academy of the West
Location: Santa Barbara, California
Status: Full Time

The Music Academy of the West seeks a dynamic professional with significant experience in event planning and volunteer management to serve as Special Events Manager.

As an integral member of the Music Academy’s fundraising team, the person in this position will partner with active volunteer committees and a professional staff to plan and implement all donor-related events. Primary responsibilities include conceptualizing, planning, and implementing all Academy fundraising, donor recognition, and donor cultivation events throughout the year. The Special Events Manager is responsible for managing all event-related budgets and event fundraising goals to meet the Academy’s institutional needs. This position manages all required personnel, including internal staff and contract employees, for the successful execution of all special events.

Direct responsibilities:

  • Plan and implement two annual fundraising benefit events that gross $630,000 to support the Academy’s annual fundraising goal.
  • Conceptualize, plan, and implement a year-round calendar of 20-plus donor recognition and cultivation events.
  • Develop and manage all event budgets and operate within the overall fundraising department budget.
  • Oversee all event timelines and deliverables associated with Academy fundraising, donor recognition, donor cultivation, and summer events to achieve departmental objectives.
  • Cultivate and solicit monetary and in-kind event sponsorships from individuals and corporations in collaboration with fundraising colleagues.
  • Manage various volunteer committees for specific fundraising and donor recognition events.
  • Manage production timelines for all event-related print materials, such as invitations, event programs, and patron letters.
  • Manage strategic alliances and cultivate new relationships with key vendors and corporate partners, such as hotels, rental companies, graphic designers, and caterers.
  • Manage all logistics associated with patron event attendance, such as invitation list management, RSVP tracking, and guest seating.

Qualifications include:

  • A minimum of three to five years’ experience in event planning and volunteer management
  • Demonstrated success managing special events and budgets
  • Proven success in achieving revenue goals
  • Strong organizational and planning skills
  • Superior written and oral communication skills
  • Ability to work collaboratively and creatively as part of a team
  • Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university
  • Knowledge of and passion for music preferred

Reporting Structure:
The Special Events Manager reports directly to the Director of Principal Gifts and Special Projects.

Competitive salary and benefits package, commensurate with experience.

Please send current resume, letter of interest, and references to:
Music Academy of the West, Attn: Sheri Broedlow, 1070 Fairway Road, Santa Barbara, CA 93108;
Fax: 805.565.9316; sbroedlow@musicacademy.org. No phone calls please.

Founded in 1947, the Music Academy of the West is among the nation’s preeminent summer schools and festivals for gifted young classical musicians. The Academy provides these promising instrumentalists and vocalists with the opportunity for advanced study and frequent performance under the guidance of internationally renowned faculty and guest artists. Academy alumni are members of major symphony orchestras, chamber orchestras, ensembles, opera companies, and university and conservatory faculties throughout the world. Many enjoy careers as prominent solo artists. Based in Santa Barbara, the Music Academy of the West presents more than 200 public events annually. For more information, visit www.musicacademy.org.