Date: 9/14/2026
Job Title: Associate Director of Development Events
Division / Department: Development
Location: Washington DC or Oklahoma City
FLSA: Exempt
Reporting Manager: Chief Development Officer
Schedule: Full-Time, to include evenings and weekends as required*
Travel: Up to 25%
POSITION SUMMARYThe Associate Director of Development Events plays a key role in advancing Museum of the Bible's philanthropic priorities by developing and executing high-impact fundraising and stewardship events integrated with donor-cultivation and partnership management in Washington, D.C., and other priority markets.
This position is responsible for supporting and overseeing exceptional experiences that deepen relationships with current and prospective donors and move them toward greater engagement and philanthropic support. The Associate Director will manage events from initial strategy through execution and follow-up, ensuring that each gathering has clear fundraising, cultivation, or stewardship objectives.
The ideal candidate is an accomplished relationship builder and event strategist who understands how to seamlessly execute event operations that create meaningful connections to the museum, while balancing strong representation of Museum of the Bible to our VIP partners as well as nurturing donor relationships to generate measurable philanthropic results.
Responsibilities:
Fundraising and Donor Events- Develop and execute a comprehensive annual strategy for fundraising, cultivation, and stewardship events in Washington, D.C., and selected priority markets.
- Lead the planning and execution teams of major fundraising events, including galas, dinners, receptions, briefings, unique donor experiences, and other special events.
- Establish clear objectives, audiences, revenue goals, sponsorship opportunities, engagement strategies, and follow-up plans for each event.
- Partner with development leadership and Development Officers to ensure events support donor acquisition, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies.
- Identify and recruit host committees, sponsors, table hosts, and other volunteer leaders.
- Collaborate with Institutional Gift Officer to create event sponsorship packages and secure corporate and individual event support.
- Coordinate event-related solicitations and ensure timely, personalized follow-up with attendees, hosts, sponsors, and prospective donors.
- Serve as lead manager and guide and direct the events team for things such as: event budgets, contract execution and fulfillment, project timelines, vendors, venues, production partners, guest lists, invitations, registration, seating, all collateral production, and on-site execution.
- Collaborate with Communications, Marketing, Hospitality, Operations, Finance, and other internal teams to ensure cohesive messaging and exceptional guest experiences.
- Track event performance, including revenue, expenses, attendance, donor engagement, new prospects, sponsorships, and post-event fundraising results.
- Ensure all events consistently reflect the museum's mission, brand standards, and commitment to excellence and hospitality.
Donor Cultivation and Relationship Management- Work with development leadership and Development Officers to identify the donors and prospective donors who should be strategically engaged through each event.
- Conduct meetings as needed with event leaders, sponsors, and other key stakeholders.
- Build relationships with influential individuals throughout the Washington, D.C. region who can help expand the museum's philanthropic reach.
- Serve as the Relationship Manager with VIP Talent (musical artists, keynote speakers, agents, etc.), inviting them to museum events and delivering exceptional white glove service during their experience.
- Represent Museum of the Bible at external events, conferences, networking opportunities, and community gatherings as needed.
- Prepare briefing materials, talking points, proposals, sponsorship materials, and follow-up communications for museum leaders and volunteer ambassadors.
- Work with development colleagues to create individualized engagement and follow-up strategies for priority event attendees.
- Maintain accurate and timely records of donor contacts, event participation, strategies, next steps, and fundraising activity.
- Perform other duties and special projects that advance the museum's fundraising objectives.
- Other duties as assigned
- Ensure compliance with company guidelines, deadlines, and design standards.
- Champion the Museum of the Bible's mission to invite all people to engage with the transformative power of the Bible.
- As required, inclusion in official or incidental photographs and videos for MOTB and/or guests.
- Other Duties as Assigned.
Performance Expectations- Success in this role will be measured by:
- Fundraising and sponsorship revenue generated through events; target 3:1 ROI for year one, reaching toward 10:1 ROI.
- Achievement of event attendance, revenue, expense, and donor engagement goals.
- Growth in the number of qualified donors and prospective donors engaged through events.
- Demonstrated movement of relationships from initial engagement to solicitation and long-term support.
- Quality of event execution and the experience provided to donors and guests as demonstrated in post-event guest survey.
- Timely follow-up and accurate database management.
- Strong and timely collaboration with colleagues across museum teams.
QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTSKnowledge:
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office and constituent relationship management systems; experience with fundraising databases (SalesForce, Wrike, Momentus, Cvent) is preferred.
- Bachelor's degree or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
- Five or more years of progressively responsible experience in development events, donor relations, or a related event planning field.
Skills:
- Excellent written, verbal, presentation, negotiation, and organizational skills including the ability to manage multiple complex projects, competing priorities, and detailed timelines.
- Highly organized and detail-oriented with the ability to prioritize and meet multiple concurrent deadlines
- Provide outstanding customer service to internal and external customers
- Self-driven and the ability to work individually or in a team with little supervision
- Previous successful planning and executing high-level fundraising events, while balancing collaboration alongside multiple executive team members.
- Proven financial ability and experience developing and managing event budgets.
- Strong professional relationship-building skills.
- Availability to work evenings and weekends and to travel as required.
Preferred Attributes
- Detail, details, details. Love the details!
- Highly relational both internally and externally and possess a strong emotional intelligence to serve partners and guests with excellence.
- Organizes strong post-event follow-up and manages subsequent wrap up details with the team. (The event isn't over when the "curtain goes down.")
- A genuine appreciation for the Bible's history, narrative, and impact and an ability to represent the mission of Museum of the Bible with authenticity and enthusiasm.
Abilities:
- Ability to stoop, stand, climb, and occasionally lift a minimum of 20 lbs. as required
- Ability to work collaboratively across departments while also taking initiative and working independently.
- Must be able to adapt and pivot to different duties, work schedules, or events as assigned, in accordance with operational needs and applicable wage and hour requirements.
Pay Range: $105,000 - $110,000 per year
