Overview

The Director of Strategic Events oversees the development and implementation of philanthropic events and meetings to engage donors and enhance the image and reputation of Hackensack Meridian Health and HMHF. Strategic Events include but are not limited to the planning and oversight of meetings, signature events, stewardship events, specific committees, internal events and board events. The Director maintains close and collaborative working relationships with system and hospital leadership, philanthropy leadership, department administrators, board members and committee leadership in support of philanthropic objectives.

Responsibilities

A day in the life of a Director of Strategic Events at Hackensack Meridian Health includes:

• Strategizes and communicates with foundation board members and leadership on events to maximize revenue and reduce workload.
• Creates an annual strategic plan for HMHF events within his/her area of responsibility, including fundraising and cultivation events, board events and meetings, internal events and retreats, stewardship events, and other meetings and events such as third party events, that increase efficiency and reduce redundancy.
• Drives individual event/meeting strategies to ensure that program and content align to philanthropic goals and objectives.
• Develops metrics and measurement tools to assess ROI and refine programs to better leverage resources and improve attendance, costs, and program content. Assesses programs to ensure the cost per attendee aligns with the event objectives.
• Manages strategic events team members and assigns team members to specific responsibilities in order to maximize revenue and optimize efficiencies.
• Helps create and manage an overall events and meetings calendar to coordinate dates across the system, minimize overlap/competition, coordinate leadership involvement/attendance, program event content, and maximize audience attendance.
• Oversees event vendors including venue contracts and third party vendors to ensure costs are managed and HMH is protected against liability.
• Develops and oversees virtual and in-person event tools including run of show timelines, programs and speaker content, invite criteria, and speaker coaching and presentation development to ensure concise and engaging programming that drives philanthropic results and donor engagement. Crafts remarks and talking points for key speakers and works with the Communications team to collaborate on all event content needs.
• Develops event business plans to achieve fundraising goals for events that have established philanthropic goals.
• Oversees the management and execution of in-person and virtual events and key meetings, including venue design, run of show/program, digital assets, invitation criteria, response tracking and event marketing. Ensure programs are benchmarked and provide competitive differentiation to set first class standards for events and meetings.
• Crafts event messaging and content as needed including events materials, presentation content, speech writing and remarks, video scripts, and other events and meeting related content as needed.
• Collaborates with relevant team members to secure sponsorship opportunities and support fundraisers as appropriate. Assists in the development of sponsorship levels and recognition benefits that align with fundraising goals. Works with donor relations to steward sponsors and ensure sponsorship benefits align to brand standards.
• Oversees event committees to engage donors, meet fundraising goals and cultivate prospects.
• Develops guidelines for third party events and provides support as appropriate.
• Works in a multi-disciplinary, team-oriented environment.
• Other duties and/or projects as assigned.
• Adheres to HMH Organizational competencies and standards of behavior.

Qualifications

Education, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required:

• Baccalaureate degree from an accredited four-year college or university required.
• A minimum of 7 - 10 years of experience in major event fundraising at a hospital, educational institution or large not-for-profit organization.
• Experience in high-level event planning, collaborating with board members and executives and delivery of luxury events to diverse clientele.
• Ability to establish goals and operate within established budgets.
• Management experience and skills in coaching and guiding team members.
• An articulate, genuine touch; professional enthusiasm; ability to innovate and be resourceful; a strong work ethic; superior oral and written communication skills; and excellent interpersonal skills.
• Collegial team player able to interact effectively with diverse internal and external constituencies.
• Effective in a fast-paced environment and eager to contribute to the collaborative goals of an organization.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple assignments and deadlines.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficient computer skills that include but are not limited to Google Suite and/or Microsoft Office platforms.

Education, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Preferred:

• Working knowledge of fundraising principles and practices is desirable.

Starting Minimum RateMinimum rate of $133,120 Annually