Director of Special Events

Join a Team That Changes Lives

For more than 170 years, Elwyn has been leading the way in supporting children, teens, and adults with autism, intellectual and developmental disabilities, and behavioral health challenges. As a mission-driven nonprofit, we're here to create real change - helping people lead meaningful, fulfilling lives.

Now, we're looking for passionate team members to join us. Here, your work will change lives - including your own. You'll make an impact every day, find purpose in what you do, and grow in a career that truly matters.

At Elwyn, we take care of you while you care for others. We offer:

• Generous Paid Time Off
• Comprehensive Medical/Dental/Vision Benefit Packages
• Earned Wage Access/On-Demand Pay
• Paid On-the-Job Training
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Career Advancement Opportunities and Growth
• Flexible Schedules
• Retirement Savings Plan

Join us and be a part of something bigger. Apply today.

Elwyn seeks a Director of Special Events to be responsible for planning, executing, and evaluating strategic events that advance Elwyn's mission and support donor engagement, cultivation, and stewardship. This role plays a key part in deepening relationships with donors and prospects while increasing the organization's visibility through impactful, mission-driven events. The Director ensures all events are aligned with Elwyn's goals and delivers meaningful experiences that strengthen community support and drive philanthropic outcomes.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Lead planning and production for all fundraising and stewardship events, including Elwyn Day, Ski-A-Thon, the Elwyn Ball, cultivation and stewardship events, and ribbon cutting ceremonies.
• Oversee all aspects of event logistics, including venue selection, timelines, run-of-show, guest lists, invitations, registration, seating, catering, and onsite execution.
• Solicit event support, including ticket sales, sponsorships and donations.
• Hire and oversee vendors, including caterers, AV, decor, entertainment, venues, and rental companies.
• Negotiate contracts and manage event budgets to ensure cost-effectiveness and adherence to financial goals.
• Collaborate with the Marketing Department to create invitations, event webpages and produce event collateral.
• Develop compelling fundraising copy and manage peer-to-peer fundraising platforms, such as Qgiv, to support fundraising goals and enhance donor participation.
• Develop and execute the strategy for the Elwyn Ball's "mission raise" moment, including scripting, timing, use of multimedia elements, and coordination of the digital giving thermometer to maximize audience participation and fundraising impact.
• Utilize fundraising CRM (Donor Perfect) for planning, tracking, and reporting.
• Conduct post-event evaluations, compile metrics, and prepare reports.
• Recommend improvements to enhance future events and donor experience.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree required.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in special events, with background in a fundraising, nonprofit environment preferred.
• Proven track record in planning and managing special events from conceptualization to production.
• Experience in dealing successfully with high profile individuals including business or institutional executives.
• Excellent interpersonal communication skills, strong organizational skills, and an ability to manage multiple tasks and projects under deadline.

Elwyn is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Elwyn does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, ancestry, pregnancy status, medical condition, gender, gender identity or expression, genetic information, sexual orientation or identity, age, national origin, citizenship, handicap status, marital or family status, mental or physical disability, perceived disability, military or veteran status, political activities or affiliations, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state or local law, ordinance, or regulation.