Director of Special Events

The Director of Special Events serves as the lead strategist and operational leader for all philanthropic, prospect and donor-facing events within the Central Philanthropy Office. This position provides vision, leadership, and oversight for a comprehensive portfolio of high-profile events that advance institutional priorities, strengthen donor relationships, and support fundraising and campaign objectives.

Working in close partnership with colleagues across Central Philanthropy and with academic and administrative units throughout the University, the Director ensures events are strategically aligned, seamlessly executed, and reflective of the University's mission, values, and brand. The Director will elevate donor experiences, strengthen collaboration across Central Philanthropy and campus partners, and integrate event strategy with broader fundraising and engagement goals. This role is critical to delivering consistent, high-impact donor experiences and supporting a culture of collaboration across a complex, decentralized campus.

This position includes evening events and travel.

Benefits: Exempt Regular

UMB offers a comprehensive benefits package that prioritizes wellness, work/life balance, and professional development, along with additional exciting perks that employees can take advantage of. This position participates in a retirement program (pension or optional retirement plan/ORP) that must be selected and is effective on your date of hire. Exempt regular staff receive a generous PAID leave package that includes over 4 weeks of vacation accrued each year, 15 paid holidays, 3 personal leave, unlimited accrual of sick time, and comprehensive health insurance; professional learning and development programs; tuition remission for employees and their dependents at any University System of Maryland school; and flexible work schedules and teleworking options (if applicable per job).

UMB is a public university and constituent institution of the University System of Maryland. All employees are expected to work primarily physically within the State of Maryland.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Serve as the primary leader for all Central Philanthropy events by setting strategic direction and overseeing execution of events including high-profile philanthropic events.
• Develop and implement a unified, high-impact events strategy that supports donor cultivation, stewardship, prospect engagement, and institutional visibility.
• Partner closely with the Vice President and leadership of Central Philanthropy to ensure events reinforce organizational priorities, campaign goals, and senior-level initiatives.
• Liaise with Chief Development Officers and University units to centralize events on behalf of the schools.

Event Portfolio Management & Execution

• Serve as the final quality checkpoint for event strategy, logistics, run-of-show, and executional details across the events portfolio.
• Ensure events are consistently branded, mission-forward, inclusive, and aligned with the philanthropic tone and values of the university.

Collaboration Across Central Philanthropy, Campus-Wide Partnership and Coordination

• Serve as a key liaison between Central Philanthropy and various University stakeholders. Ensure alignment of event goals, messaging, and participation.
• Translate fundraising strategies and donor objectives into meaningful, engaging event experiences.
• Act as a trusted partner to frontline fundraisers, ensuring events support relationship-building and next-step strategies.
• Build strong working relationships with campus partners to ensure clarity, consistency, and shared ownership of event outcomes.

Team Leadership & Oversight

• Assign projects, manage workflows, establish quality standards, and guide event planning processes across the team.
• Foster a collaborative, professional environment that emphasizes excellence, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Mentor and develop event staff, supporting growth, innovation, and best practices.

Budget, Vendor & Resource Management

• Develop and manage event budgets, ensuring responsible stewardship of University and donor resources.
• Negotiate and manage contracts with venues, caterers, production partners, and other vendors.
• Monitor expenditures, approve invoices, and identify efficiencies while maintaining high standards.

Evaluation and Continuous Improvement

• Establish and track metrics to assess event effectiveness, donor engagement outcomes, and return on investment.
• Incorporate feedback, data, and industry best practices to continuously refine event strategy and execution.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in a relevant field such as English, Journalism, Public Relations, Communications, or related field.

Experience: Six (6) years of experience in event or meeting management, fundraising or development, public, or client relations.

Preferred Experience: Experience managing special events including high profile, mission driven events preferred. Experience in higher education, healthcare, or nonprofit development environments strongly preferred.

Supervisory Experience: Three (3) years of direct supervision.

Certification/Licensure: Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) preferred.

Other: Clery act designated job as campus security authorities (CSA) member and will comply with Clery Act requirements.

Ability to maintain, troubleshoot, and utilize events platforms for event participant registration, reporting, attendee responses, etc.

Except for qualifications established by law, additional related experience and formal education in which one has gained the knowledge, skills, and abilities required for full performance of the work of the job class may be substituted for the education or experience requirement on a year-for-year basis with 30 undergraduate college credits being equivalent to one year of related experience. In instances where specific education and/or experience is required only directly related education and/or experience may be substituted.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strategic thinker with strong attention to detail and operational excellence.
• Exceptional project management and organizational skills; ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to lead through influence and collaborate across decentralized organizations.
• Ability to maintain, troubleshoot, and utilize events platforms for event participant registration, reporting, attendee responses, etc.
• Commitment to welcoming, and donor-centered event practices.
• Proven ability to work with senior leaders, major and principal gift donors, faculty, and external partners with discretion and professionalism.

Hiring Range: $98,500 - $105,000, commensurate with education and experience.