POSITION: Manager, Donor Engagement & Special Events

REPORTS TO: Director of Philanthropy

ABOUT KESEM

We are a nationwide community, driven by passionate college student leaders, that supports children through and beyond their parent’s cancer with innovative, fun-filled programs that foster a lasting community.

About the Position

Kesem seeks a creative, outgoing, problem-solving, detail and process-oriented Manager, Donor Engagement & Special Events who can successfully support a national fundraising portfolio consisting of four galas and one to two parlor events. A key entry point for many of Kesem's major donors, these national events should collectively raise over $700,000 annually and encompass a continuum of touchpoints to engage with our mission. The Manager, Donor Engagement & Special Events will also plan and implement other national meetings and training as needed, in person or virtually. The Manager, Donor Engagement & Special Events will report to the Director of Philanthropy. Additionally, this person will lead the implementation and growth of a year-round donor experience and stewardship program focused on event supporters and major donor constituents.

This individual is a key internal and external-facing member of the organization and must be comfortable interacting with National Board members, regional board members, senior management, vendors, and colleagues cross-departmentally.

Kesem’s Values

The Manager, Donor Engagement & Special Events must uphold and build a culture that continues to support and strengthen the following behaviors to help us realize our vision:

Continuous learning - We operate with curiosity and a willingness to try new things, and we see our successes and setbacks as opportunities for growth.
Accountability - We are individually and collectively responsible for advancing our mission.
Resilience - We empower and support each other through challenges while fostering a spirit of joy and hopefulness.
Empathy - We seek to understand and appreciate other perspectives and experiences.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

Donor Stewardship and Relationship Management (60%)

Leverage national events as strategic opportunities to build and strengthen relationships with major donors and corporate sponsors, aligning engagement efforts with best practices in identification, cultivation, and solicitation.
Develop and implement innovative fundraising strategies, including sponsorship packages, peer-to-peer fundraising opportunities, and tiered giving levels, to maximize revenue from distinguished events.
Build partnerships with corporate sponsors and community leaders to secure event underwriting, in-kind donations, and matching gift opportunities.
Integrate mission-focused programming, such as keynote speeches, impact panels, or live testimonials, into events to inspire giving and demonstrate organizational impact.
Develop and execute a comprehensive, year-round stewardship plan that emphasizes relationship-building and personal engagement, ensuring donors feel deeply connected to Kesem’s mission and impact.
Equip front-line fundraisers with tools, resources, and tailored strategies to implement meaningful stewardship efforts at a national level.
Collaborate with the marketing team to create compelling, donor-facing content that adheres to Kesem’s branding standards, including impact stories, personalized summaries, testimonials, photos, and invitations to program activities like camp visits and mission-focused events.
Oversee the national stewardship calendar, coordinating cross-departmentally to ensure seamless execution of key initiatives, including fundraiser recognition, Camp Visitors Day, Friends + Family Day, and Regional Kesem events.
Prioritize personalized donor touchpoints, such as milestone recognitions, handwritten notes, or exclusive updates, to strengthen relationships and foster long-term engagement.
Collaborate with program and development teams to ensure stewardship efforts align with Kesem’s priorities and reflect its mission and values.
Support stewardship of the Regional, National, and Alumni Boards, fostering strong relationships through personalized communications, recognition efforts, and mission-focused engagement opportunities.

National Event Logistics & Management (40%)

Plan, coordinate, and execute national events, ensuring alignment with Kesem’s mission, values, and milestones, such as the 25th Anniversary. Collaborate with the Brand Team on event concepts, marketing strategies, and design.
Manage all aspects of logistics, including guest lists, sponsorship solicitations, fundraising platforms, vendor contracts, venues, food and beverage, audiovisual needs, and travel arrangements.
Oversee donor and attendee data integration into CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce) for tracking engagement and preferences, and provide post-event ROI assessments and feedback reports.
Recruit, train, and manage event leads and volunteers, secure speakers and entertainment, and oversee rehearsals to highlight Kesem’s impact and story.
Ensure sponsorship deliverables are fulfilled, lead on-site event production, and manage post-event activities, including acknowledgments, sponsor recaps, tax receipts, and communications.
Support logistics for other key meetings and gatherings, such as the National Leadership Summit and board meetings, ensuring alignment with strategic goals

Qualifications

A minimum of five years of experience in donor stewardship, relationship management, and large-scale fundraising event logistics, aligning engagement strategies with organizational goals.
Skilled in vendor and sponsorship management, strategic event planning, data analytics, and optimizing ROI, with proficiency in tools like Salesforce, Classy, and Hive.
Strong communicator with expertise in writing, presentations, and cross-functional collaboration to deliver cohesive, mission-aligned events and donor experiences.
Experienced in training and managing event volunteers or staff, incorporating DEI principles, and leveraging digital and hybrid technologies to expand reach.
Entrepreneurial problem solver with a deep passion for empowering children and fostering impactful relationships; professional certifications (CFRE or CSEP) are a plus.

Job Environment

The Manager, Donor Engagement & Special Events role is a full-time and remote position, with responsibilities that require at least 40 hours of work per week, with some weeks requiring more.
It is expected that the Manager,Donor Engagement & Special Events will be available for all staff calls, volunteer meetings, Board meetings, donor events, which may occur outside of normal work hours.

Location & Travel

Location for this role is flexible, with no preference for geography. The Manager, Donor Engagement & Special Events should expect to travel 8-10 times per year, all within the United States. Travel includes national fundraising events, market prospecting, National Leadership Summit, Board meetings, camp-related gatherings and staff retreats if applicable.

DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION STATEMENT

Kesem’s mission of supporting children through and beyond a parent’s cancer, and our vision of ensuring that every child impacted by a parent’s cancer is never alone, can only be realized through an ongoing, steadfast commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in every part of our organization. To that end, Kesem makes the following commitments:

To continually expand the communities we support and work with - our camper families, volunteers, staff, alumni, partners, donors, and boards - with attention to engaging communities we are not currently reaching.
To strive for equity in delivering a transformative, fun, and empowering community that recognizes and embraces our differences.
To aspire to create shared spaces that are safe for every member of the Kesem community to feel valued and respected.
Kesem will engage in continued meaningful learning in order to better support our mission and our growing Kesem community.

Kesem is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Kesem National

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