Specialist, Development and Events

Position Summary:

 Cure SMA is dedicated to advancing research, supporting families, and improving quality of life for individuals affected by spinal muscular atrophy. We host more than 80 fundraising events each year including Walk-n-Rolls, galas, golf tournaments, and endurance events that power our mission. 

We’re seeking a detail-oriented and mission-driven Fundraising & Events Specialist to help deliver exceptional experiences for the SMA community. This role plays a key part in the day-to-day operations of Cure SMA’s fundraising event line and ensures every event runs smoothly, efficiently, and in alignment with our mission.  The ideal candidate will collaborate closely with colleagues across fundraising, finance, and marketing while modeling and fostering a culture that values staff and volunteer partnerships. This includes upholding Cure SMA’s values of respect, compassion, collaboration, innovation, balance, and determination. 

Minimum Education Required: BA/BS and preferred field of study include Non-Profit Management, Communications, Marketing, Business, or 3-5 equivalent experience will be considered in lieu of a degree. 

Minimum Experience/Skills/Competencies Required:

• Two years of experience in special event logistics and planning preferred.
• Knowledge of working in fundraising non-profit is strongly preferred.
• Experience working successfully in a goal-driven environment.
• Ability to manage multiple projects with overlapping deadlines.
• Experience working with committees and/or event volunteers is highly desired.
• Excellent organizational, planning and project management skills.
• Ability to be an effective, contributing team member and to work collaboratively across departments at all levels of the organization.
• Skilled communicator, with superior interpersonal, verbal, and written skills.
• Ability to effectively articulate Cure SMA’s mission and impact.
• A strong work ethic with a drive to succeed and a willingness to learn, essential for a demanding environment that continually strives for excellence.
• Excellent time management and problem-solving skills with a high level of detail orientation and accuracy.
• Proficiency of MS Office required. Experience working in Salesforce CRM, OneCause and DonorDrive databases strongly preferred.
• Ability to travel up to 25% to fundraising events. Travel for business and operate a vehicle/drive (must maintain licensure and comply with fleet policy).
• Work in an office/home office and/or remote setting, as well as in the field; adhere to requirements.
• Work flexible hours; work occasional evenings or weekends for events.

Problem-Solving and Decision-Making:

The position requires strong analytical, communication, and negotiating skills, good judgment in making decisions independently, and an ability to establish and maintain positive professional working relationships with a wide range of internal and external partners.

Physical Demands/Work Environment:

• Work is generally sedentary in nature, but requires walking, sitting, traveling, and occasionally standing, bending, reaching, lifting boxes, and unloading supplies. Requires ability to lift 25 pounds or less.
• The physical environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The pay range for this position is $45,000 to $52,000, annually. The actual base pay offered may vary depending on multiple factors including job-related knowledge/skills, experience, business needs, geographical location, and internal equity.

This requisition is expected to stay active for 45 days but may close earlier if a successful candidate is selected or business necessity dictates. Interested candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible to ensure consideration.

Essential Functions:

• Manages relationships and acts as lead to contracted vendors supporting Cure SMA, including, but not limited to, venue and hotel contacts, A/V support, entertainment vendors, and all other major vendors necessary for peer-to-peer fundraising and special events.
• Ensures comprehensive research and contract negotiation for all development events, including venue contracts, event services, and onsite management. Collaborate with the Manager of Development Business Operations to ensure all contracts, and vendor agreements meet Cure SMA policies, keeping expenses in budget and risk to a minimum.
• Contributes to the event logistics budgets and maintains detailed reporting on all logistics financials.
• Manage event budgets, timelines, and best practice implementation for all logistics within the department.
• Collaborates with internal event leads to execute logistics details for all fundraising events.
• Prospects and secures in-kind donations for key special events markets.
• Build successful relationships with key vendors, contractors, and community leaders as well as existing and new corporate partners.
• Ability to handle sensitive information and maintain confidentiality.
• Ensure compliance with Cure SMA policies, including employment, event and cash handling, and financial controls.
• Ability to work with diverse communities and demonstrate inclusion.

Responsibilities:

• Ensure effective use of Cure SMA resources.
• Participate in required education programs and meetings.
• Perform other responsibilities as assigned to support Cure SMA and the Development Team.
• This position job description identifies the key responsibilities and expectations for performance. It cannot encompass all specific job tasks that an employee may be required to perform. Employees are required to follow any other job ¬related instructions and perform job ¬related duties as may be reasonably assigned by their supervisor.

Responsibility for Managing Resources:

This position will be responsible for managing and executing on event budgets, handling organizational funds, and controlling organizational resources.