Director of Special Events

ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION 

The Ali Forney Center (AFC) protects LGBTQ+ youth from homelessness and helps them build the tools needed to live independently. Founded in 2002, AFC provides housing, healthcare, and educational support to thousands of youth each year. AFC creates an affirming, supportive environment where LGBTQ+ youth can thrive. 

SCHEDULE:  Monday - Friday Hours, 9am-5pm

LOCATION:  Manhattan 

WORKPLACE FLEXIBILITY: In Person, 1 day remote

POSITION SUMMARY

This position is responsible for conceptualizing and executing AFC’s special events, fundraising efforts and client events. This position will work closely with the Chief Development Officer to meet the fundraising goals of the organization with a focus on fundraising through special events and management of existing signature events and other third party events. Overall, this position is responsible for managing and growing the revenue from our signature events and building a vision of how we can continue to grow the scope and impact of our revenue generating events.
 

The focus of this role is taking our events to the next level. Knowledge of scaling the fundraising prowess while reducing expenses is critical. This individual will mobilize lay leadership and community to prospect leadership, co-chairs, host committee and multipliers who can bring in new sponsors and ticket buyers. This role will collaborate closely with the Directors on the team to integrate events and attendees into overall fundraising strategies.

This role will be strategy based, analyzing the revenue and expenses of our existing events and identifying ways to significantly increase revenue. 

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead the vision, strategy, and execution of AFC's signature events, fundraising events, and client-centered events, ensuring each event aligns with organizational priorities, mission, and revenue goals.
• Develop and implement a long-term strategy to grow event revenue, strengthen return on investment (ROI), and elevate the quality and overall experience of AFC's event portfolio.
• Independently assess event performance, revenue, expenses, audience engagement, and pipeline potential to identify opportunities for optimization, cost management, and revenue growth.
• Develop new event concepts, formats, and partnership opportunities that expand AFC's reach, diversify revenue opportunities, and strengthen the donor and supporter pipeline.
• Establish event goals, timelines, priorities, and success measures and independently drive projects from concept through completion.

• Lead revenue-generation strategies related to events, including sponsorships, ticket sales, tables, donations, and other event-related opportunities.
• Establish revenue targets and develop strategies and systems to meet or exceed established goals.
• Grow and deepen revenue generated through AFC's existing signature events and identify new event opportunities that contribute to the organization's financial sustainability.
• Collaborate with the Chief Development Officer to integrate event donors, attendees, and sponsors into broader fundraising strategies, including cultivation, engagement, and stewardship.
• Identify and pursue opportunities to develop corporate partnerships, sponsorships, in-kind support, and other strategic revenue relationships.

• Recruit, mobilize, and empower volunteer leadership, including event co-chairs, host committees, table captains, prospectors, and community ambassadors, to expand each event's reach and impact.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with supporters who can connect AFC to new sponsors, donors, corporations, foundations, community partners, and prospective event participants.
• Serve as a key connector between AFC and the broader community, positioning events as opportunities for meaningful engagement and long-term philanthropic support.
• Represent AFC professionally and authentically with external stakeholders, community leaders, corporate partners, donors, and supporters.
• Foster inclusive and culturally responsive event experiences that reflect AFC's mission and the communities it serves.

• Independently oversee all aspects of event production from concept through execution, including timelines, budgets, venues, vendors, contracts, communications, collateral, program development, guest experience, and run-of-show.
• Manage event budgets with discipline, ensuring appropriate expense control, strategic investment, and strong ROI.
• Negotiate vendor contracts and manage vendor relationships to secure high-quality services, control costs, and maximize value.
• Anticipate operational and logistical challenges and develop solutions and contingency plans to ensure successful event execution.
• Ensure events reflect AFC's mission, values, and culture, including appropriately uplifting client voices and showcasing AFC's impact.
• Manage all event staff, including the Special Events Manager.

• Partner closely with Development leadership and directors across the organization to ensure events support donor cultivation, institutional giving strategies, communications goals, and community engagement.
• Work closely with Communications to ensure consistent branding, messaging, creative assets, marketing, and promotion across all events.
• Coordinate with Program teams to create meaningful client-centered events that honor youth experiences and strengthen community connection.
• Maintain proactive communication with internal stakeholders while independently managing day-to-day event responsibilities and decisions.
• Provide leadership with timely updates regarding progress, revenue performance, risks, challenges, and matters requiring organizational input.

• Use event, donor, audience, and financial data to sharpen event strategy and identify opportunities for growth and improvement.
• Track progress toward revenue goals and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs), including revenue, expenses, attendance, sponsorships, engagement, and ROI.
• Provide timely and accurate reporting to Development leadership and Executive Leadership.
• Evaluate each event following completion, documenting outcomes, lessons learned, challenges, and opportunities for improvement.
• Create and maintain systems, processes, and feedback loops that improve event planning, execution, accountability, and organizational knowledge.
• Proactively identify opportunities to improve efficiency, strengthen revenue performance, and enhance the overall event experience.

Event Production and Project Management

• Independently oversee all aspects of event production from concept through execution, including timelines, budgets, venues, vendors, contracts, communications, collateral, program development, guest experience, and run-of-show.
• Manage event budgets with discipline, ensuring appropriate expense control, strategic investment, and strong ROI.
• Negotiate vendor contracts and manage vendor relationships to secure high-quality services, control costs, and maximize value.
• Anticipate operational and logistical challenges and develop solutions and contingency plans to ensure successful event execution.
• Ensure events reflect AFC's mission, values, and culture, including appropriately uplifting client voices and showcasing AFC's impact.
• Manage all event staff, including the Special Events Manager.

QUALIFICATIONS

• High school diploma or equivalent required
• Minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in special events, event production, sponsorships, partnerships, business development, fundraising, community engagement, hospitality, experiential marketing, or a related field.
• Demonstrated ability to independently manage complex events and projects with minimal to no day-to-day supervision.
• Demonstrated experience generating revenue, securing sponsorships, developing partnerships, increasing participation, or achieving measurable event or business objectives.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, fundraising database experience, and other related computer skills

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Associate or bachelor's degree in a related field, preferred but not required
• Strong writing and verbal communication skills.  
• Cultural consciousness and competency required. Experience in development, fundraising, special events within the LGBT community is highly desired but not required

WORK ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Work is performed primarily in an office and event environment. This position requires occasional evening/weekend work, standing/walking during events, and the ability to lift or carry event materials up to 25 pounds. 

CORE & ROLE-SPECIFIC COMPETENCIES

BENEFITS & TOTAL REWARDS

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• 401(k) with up to a 5% employer match (vested after five years)
• Generous Paid Time Off, Sick Leave, Personal Leave, and 12 Paid Holidays
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Professional Development Opportunities
• Mission-driven, inclusive workplace culture

Thank you for your interest in the Ali Forney Center. Due to the high volume of applications received, only candidates selected for further consideration will be contacted. We encourage you to apply for any positions for which you meet the qualifications .

Ali Forney Center is an equal opportunity employer committed to a workplace where all employees feel respected, supported, and able to thrive. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected status.