Senior Donor Experience Manager, Events

About the California Academy of Sciences

The California Academy of Sciences is a globally renowned scientific and cultural institution located in the heart of San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park. Home to a world-class planetarium, aquarium, research center, and natural history museum—all under one living roof—our mission is to regenerate the natural world through science, learning, and collaboration.

Our extensive collections span plants, animals, fossils, and cultural artifacts from across the globe and throughout history. We are a diverse team of leading biodiversity scientists, educators, storytellers, designers, and communicators who work collaboratively to advance knowledge and inspire action through science and storytelling.

When you join the California Academy of Sciences, you become part of a mission-driven community that values curiosity, collaboration, and innovation. Whether you're working behind the scenes in research or engaging the public on the museum floor, your work will help connect people to the natural world and empower them to protect it.

About the Opportunity

The Senior Donor Events Manager oversees and leads the execution of both small and large-scale events including event logistics, donor cultivation, budgeting, and marketing while working closely with the Donor Events team within the Advancement department to raise critical funds for the California Academy of Sciences.

Reporting to the Senior Associate Director of Donor Experience, Events, the Donor Experience Manager, Events is responsible for all aspects of their portfolio of Eastwood Associate, Academy Adventures, and Donor Stewardship events. The Donor Experience Manager, Events will also guide key aspects of the Academy’s broader roster of donor events, including two fundraising events: Big Bang Gala and SuperNatural Halloween. 

Organizational CultureJoin a team dedicated to the Academy’s mission, vision and values! Currently, the Academy has a new strategic plan including three initiatives – Hope for Reefs, Thriving California, and Islands 2030 – that leverage biodiversity science, environmental learning, and collaborative engagement to regenerate fragile ecosystems around the world. Learn more at https://www.calacademy.org/about-us/major-initiatives.

We hope you are inspired by what we do and are excited to contribute to our mission. The mission of the California Academy of Sciences is to regenerate the natural world through science, learning, and collaboration. The Academy is looking for candidates who do great work, and we know they may come from a number of different backgrounds and experiences. We encourage you to apply even if you do not believe you meet every qualification for the position.

This position is based in San Francisco, California. Staff are currently expected to work from the Academy offices at least 3 times per week, which may fluctuate based on business needs. .Individuals receiving a conditional offer of employment from the California Academy of Sciences will be provided the full text of the vaccination policy.

POSITION DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Event Management (45%)

• Plan and manage a wide range of donor events, including the Academy’s two major fundraising events (Big Bang Gala and SuperNatural Halloween), as well as cocktail receptions, dinners, meetings, tours, salons, and other donor stewardship events. Responsibilities span from large-scale events of up to 3,000 attendees to intimate gatherings of fewer than 50 participants.
• Independently lead all events for the Eastwood Associates legacy giving program, Friends Circle, as well as other assigned donor stewardship events. Collaborate and assist with additional Advancement events, as needed.
• Design innovative event programs that engage donors and align them with the Academy’s mission.
• Proactively collaborate with diverse vendors and partners, and deliver programming that expands perspectives across all events.
• Staff events (some evenings and weekends), including fundraising events, which may fall outside of normal business hours, including Academy Day (April), Big Bang gala (April), and SuperNatural (October).

Program Administration (35%)

• Manage creative asset requests, updates, and receivables as the primary point of contact with Creative Studios for large fundraising events and sponsor fulfillment.
• Strategize on marketing and communications for guest solicitation and stewardship, liaising with Creative Studios, Email Marketing, Marketing, Digital Engagement, and other internal teams.
• Maintain budgets for fundraising events, including expense allocation, revenue streams, and invoice processing. 
• Oversee event vendor and partner contracting, liaising between the Academy’s legal department and internal/external event vendors.
• Prepare direct mailings for fundraising events, ensuring lists include strategic audience segmentation, are up-to-date, and are reconciled across communication pieces.
• Request, produce, and circulate donor audience lists for all stewardship events. 
• Manage and update event webpages, create and implement event registration pages in GoFundMe Pro, write event copy, and collaborate on communications timelines for all events. 
• Respond to fundraising and donor stewardship event email/phone inquiries.

Data Management (20%)

• Create and manage elevated event listings in Tessitura (CRM) to keep all event records updated.
• Track donor engagement and event attendance in Tessitura and GoFundMe Pro (Event Platform) to keep donor records updated.
• Utilize donor management tools, including internal and external resources, to research donors and prospects, recording a summary of findings into the Tessitura donor database.
• Perform other job-related duties as assigned.

EXPERIENCE and/or EDUCATION:

Required and Preferred:

• Minimum five years of progressive experience in leading special events, development, marketing, or transferable experience from the corporate sales/business sector required.
• Experience working within complex, multi-layered organizations is a plus.
• Demonstrated database experience, particularly Tessitura, is a plus.
• Experience with managing volunteers and membership programs is a plus.
• Proven success at managing events.
• Frequent nights and weekend availability are required.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES:Required and Preferred: 

• Passion for events/event production with a sense of humor, strong work ethic, and willingness to get the job done.
• Ability to work both independently and as a team member.
• Superior written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills to foster a collaborative and cooperative work environment and maintain good working relations at all organizational levels.
• Excellent writing and proofreading skills.
• Able to maintain the confidentiality of sensitive information and use good judgment.
• Must possess a calm demeanor, especially under pressure.
• Demonstrated experience in MS Office products and Google suite, proficiency in Tessitura software is desirable.

Compensation and Benefits:The salary range for this position is $82,202 - $88,982 Actual compensation will be commensurate with the final candidate's qualifications and experience, including skills, knowledge, relevant education, certifications and aligned with the internal peer group. We believe in fair and equitable compensation practices and are committed to providing competitive salaries within the industry and market standards. The Academy offers a total compensation package that emphasizes both base salary and comprehensive benefits based on the hours per week worked. Further details regarding compensation and benefits will be discussed during the interview process.

Schedule: Full-time  40 hours per week

How to Apply:

Interested candidates should submit a resume and application through our Careers Page portal.

The California Academy of Sciences will give full consideration for employment to all qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance (SF Police Code, Article 49).