The Carter Center: Sr. Associate Director, Lead - Development Events, Development
Job Overview
Employment Type
Full-time
Work Schedule
Flexible
Benefits
Health Insurance
Dental Insurance
Paid Time Off
Retirement Plan
Professional development opportunities
Flexible work schedule
Remote work option
Job Description
Emory University is a prestigious research university renowned for its commitment to academic excellence and innovation. Located in Atlanta, Georgia, Emory attracts world-class talent and fosters a vibrant academic community dedicated to advancing knowledge and preparing future leaders. The university promotes an inclusive culture that values diverse perspectives and contributions from faculty, staff, and students alike. Emory University offers a dynamic work environment with opportunities for professional growth and engagement across various disciplines. The institution emphasizes collaboration, innovation, and public service, making it an ideal place for individuals committed to making a positive impact locally and globally.
Within Emory University, The Carter Center serves as a cornerstone of humanitarian efforts and global development. Founded in 1982 by former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and his wife Rosalynn in partnership with Emory University, The Carter Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization headquartered in Atlanta. The Center is dedicated to improving the lives of millions worldwide by promoting peace, fighting disease, and fostering human rights. With initiatives spanning over 80 countries, The Carter Center is involved in conflict resolution, democratic development, and health improvement programs driven by a commitment to alleviate human suffering.
The role of Senior Associate Director, Lead (SAD, Lead), Development Events at The Carter Center offers a unique opportunity to lead the global Development Events strategy designed to expand the Center’s reach and deepen donor relationships. This strategic leadership role is integral to supporting the fundraising goals of the Development team through the planning and execution of high-impact events across domestic and international platforms. The SAD, Lead will oversee all aspects of event strategy, production, budget management, and team supervision to ensure exceptional execution that aligns with the Center's mission and values.
As the primary leader of the Development Events team, the Senior Associate Director is responsible for innovating and elevating event experiences across multiple formats including in-person, virtual, and hybrid events. This person establishes long-term goals and success metrics, evaluates event outcomes using analytics, and implements continuous improvements in project management and technology application. The role requires close cross-functional collaboration with Development colleagues and other Center departments to integrate event planning with organizational priorities, marketing efforts, and donor engagement strategies.
The SAD, Lead also manages the detailed logistical and creative elements that ensure memorable and impactful event experiences. Responsibilities include guiding space and stage design, audio-visual and virtual production enhancements, and integrating sustainable practices and interactive technologies. Furthermore, this role serves as the key liaison among the Development team, donors, and other stakeholders, ensuring alignment on revenue and engagement objectives, seamless communication, and responsive follow-up.
This leadership position includes budget oversight and vendor negotiation, requiring the SAD, Lead to work closely with finance teams to monitor revenues, expenses, and ensure compliance with organizational policies and procedures. Managing a team of Development Events staff, as well as volunteers and interns, the role involves mentorship, goal setting, and fostering a collaborative and high-performing culture.
The position requires a flexible approach to remote and on-site work, including periodic international travel, potentially to challenging environments necessitating Hostile Environment Awareness Training. Candidates must demonstrate strong expertise in event management, donor relations, team leadership, and strategic execution to successfully drive the Center’s fundraising initiatives through impactful events.
Emory University and The Carter Center are committed to equal opportunity, diversity, and inclusion, providing reasonable accommodations and support for qualified individuals with disabilities. This role offers the chance to contribute meaningfully to a globally respected organization dedicated to peace, health, and human rights while advancing your professional career in a mission-driven environment.
Within Emory University, The Carter Center serves as a cornerstone of humanitarian efforts and global development. Founded in 1982 by former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and his wife Rosalynn in partnership with Emory University, The Carter Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization headquartered in Atlanta. The Center is dedicated to improving the lives of millions worldwide by promoting peace, fighting disease, and fostering human rights. With initiatives spanning over 80 countries, The Carter Center is involved in conflict resolution, democratic development, and health improvement programs driven by a commitment to alleviate human suffering.
The role of Senior Associate Director, Lead (SAD, Lead), Development Events at The Carter Center offers a unique opportunity to lead the global Development Events strategy designed to expand the Center’s reach and deepen donor relationships. This strategic leadership role is integral to supporting the fundraising goals of the Development team through the planning and execution of high-impact events across domestic and international platforms. The SAD, Lead will oversee all aspects of event strategy, production, budget management, and team supervision to ensure exceptional execution that aligns with the Center's mission and values.
As the primary leader of the Development Events team, the Senior Associate Director is responsible for innovating and elevating event experiences across multiple formats including in-person, virtual, and hybrid events. This person establishes long-term goals and success metrics, evaluates event outcomes using analytics, and implements continuous improvements in project management and technology application. The role requires close cross-functional collaboration with Development colleagues and other Center departments to integrate event planning with organizational priorities, marketing efforts, and donor engagement strategies.
The SAD, Lead also manages the detailed logistical and creative elements that ensure memorable and impactful event experiences. Responsibilities include guiding space and stage design, audio-visual and virtual production enhancements, and integrating sustainable practices and interactive technologies. Furthermore, this role serves as the key liaison among the Development team, donors, and other stakeholders, ensuring alignment on revenue and engagement objectives, seamless communication, and responsive follow-up.
This leadership position includes budget oversight and vendor negotiation, requiring the SAD, Lead to work closely with finance teams to monitor revenues, expenses, and ensure compliance with organizational policies and procedures. Managing a team of Development Events staff, as well as volunteers and interns, the role involves mentorship, goal setting, and fostering a collaborative and high-performing culture.
The position requires a flexible approach to remote and on-site work, including periodic international travel, potentially to challenging environments necessitating Hostile Environment Awareness Training. Candidates must demonstrate strong expertise in event management, donor relations, team leadership, and strategic execution to successfully drive the Center’s fundraising initiatives through impactful events.
Emory University and The Carter Center are committed to equal opportunity, diversity, and inclusion, providing reasonable accommodations and support for qualified individuals with disabilities. This role offers the chance to contribute meaningfully to a globally respected organization dedicated to peace, health, and human rights while advancing your professional career in a mission-driven environment.
Job Requirements
- Bachelor's degree
- Eight years of experience leading special events for nonprofits, development, or fundraising
- Equivalent combination of education, training, and experience
- Preferably experience in a nonprofit environment
- Ability to travel internationally periodically
- Authorization to work in the United States
- Residence within the state of Georgia for non-exempt employees
- Ability to work remotely with flexible commuting to The Carter Center
- Hostile Environment Awareness Training (HEAT) if required due to travel locations
Job Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree
- Eight years of experience leading special events for nonprofits, development, fundraising, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience
- Experience preferably in a nonprofit environment
- Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) or similar event management certification (preferred)
- Working knowledge of event management software and capabilities (preferred)
- Excellent written and oral presentation skills
- Strong experience with donor cultivation and stewardship strategies through events
- Demonstrated ability to lead teams and manage complex event logistics, including vendor negotiation, budget oversight, and on-site execution for both in-person and virtual fundraising events with diverse audiences and attendance sizes
Job Duties
- Leads the Development Events unit in planning and executing domestic and global events, setting strategy to maximize outreach, engagement, and revenue across in-person, virtual, and hybrid formats
- Establishes long-term event goals and success metrics, reviews and leverages post event analytics to evaluate performance and guide continuous improvement
- Enhances event project management, technology, and service delivery by overseeing implementation of improvements
- Partners cross functionally to align event strategy with organizational priorities and drive effective marketing and attendance growth
- Leads the creation and management of project timelines, procedures, and plans, as well as the design and delivery of all technical, creative, and logistical elements of an event, focusing on the on-site or virtual presentation and overall attendee experience
- Responsible for ensuring that the delivery of technical elements create a memorable and engaging experience for diverse and evolving audiences
- Works with Development teams and the broader organization to define revenue and engagement goals supported by events
- Coordinates audience selection for events with team leaders and relationship managers to ensure outreach, revenue, and engagement goals are met
- Drives the integration with donor systems to ensure efficient event data management and reporting
- Manage and coordinates communications and serves as the liaison between the donor events staff and other Carter Center departments
- Debriefs leadership on event outcomes
- Assists the Director with the annual plan and budgeting process by preparing revenue and expense budgets for signature Development events
- Negotiates contracts with vendors and works with the Finance department to review periodic reports on the status of revenues and expenses
- Ensures invoices are submitted for processing according to Finance's policies and procedures
- Supervises a team of Development Events staff and may supervise or direct volunteers and interns
- Provides leadership, mentorship, and guidance to event staff, volunteers, and interns to foster a collaborative and high-performing team environment
- Designs strategies and sets implementation goals and objectives for direct reports of the Development Events team
- Oversees communications to constituents, partners, donors, and prospective donors from the Development Events team
- Ensures appropriate audience targeting and tone
- Ensures all events comply with relevant local, regional, and country laws, regulations, and organizational policies
- Develops efficient procedures for event activities and, in collaboration with TCC Security, designs, develops, and maintains event safety protocols for on-site and off-site events
- Maintains professional growth and development of self and Development Events staff by identifying educational/training programs, professional organizations, and resources to stay current on best practices, trends, and leading-edge expertise
- Performs other related duties as required
Job Criteria
Experience
Expert Level (7+ years)
Job Location
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