Director of Special Events

JOB SUMMARY
The Director of Special Events and Corporate Partnerships serves as the strategic leader for all SOIN fundraising events and the centralized owner of the corporate sponsorship program. This role is responsible for the comprehensive management of signature events—Polar Plunge, Plane Pull Challenge, Golf Outing, and Breakfast of Champions—while serving as the primary portfolio manager and touchpoint for all corporate partnerships. The Director leads sponsorship prospecting, cultivation, negotiation, and fulfillment across all events, collaborating closely with the CDO/CEO on top-tier relationships and coordinating with Regional Managers and volunteers on relationship assignments. This position ensures consistent brand execution, standardized sponsorship tiers, documented lifecycle management, and strategic coordination with Marketing/Communications for benefit fulfillment. The Director supervises the Manager of Special Events who provides operational and logistical support for event execution, and works cross-functionally to drive revenue growth, strengthen corporate partnerships, and support county program fundraising initiatives.

PERFORMANCE DIMENSIONS AND TASKS (Time Spent)

1. Management and Strategic Leadership (15%)

• Supervise the Manager of Special Events, providing direction on event operations, logistics, and execution

• Develop and implement comprehensive strategies for special events and corporate sponsorship aligned with organizational revenue goals

• Gather, analyze, and assess relevant metrics to evaluate event effectiveness, sponsorship ROI, and drive ongoing improvements

• Lead cross-functional coordination with Marketing/Communications, Programs, and Regional Managers to ensure seamless execution

• Partner with the CDO to develop annual fundraising plans that integrate events and corporate partnerships

• Responsible for maintaining current donor and participant records through special events

2. Signature Special Events Strategy and Execution (35%)

• Serve as the primary lead for signature fundraising events: Polar Plunge, Plane Pull Challenge, and Champions Golf Outing

• Direct the strategic planning, timeline development, budget management, and execution of all statewide signature events

• Oversee the planning and implementation of additional events including Bocce Bash and other fundraising initiatives

• Coordinate all aspects of events from conception to completion, including venue selection, vendor management, participant experience, and risk mitigation

• Partner with Marketing/Communications on event promotion, digital campaigns, and storytelling to drive registration and engagement

• Recruit, train, and manage event volunteer leadership teams to ensure consistent, high-quality event execution

• Lead special event opportunities at sports competitions, including Summer Games Olympic Town

• Ensure standardization of event processes, procedures, and county program alignment with statewide goals

• Secure cash and in-kind donations to support event execution and reduce expenses

3. Corporate Sponsorship Portfolio Management (30%)

• Serve as the centralized owner and primary touchpoint for SOIN's complete corporate sponsorship program • Manage a portfolio of corporate sponsors, coordinating partnership assignments with the CDO/CEO for top-tier relationships and with Regional Managers/volunteers for local relationships

• Lead corporate sponsorship prospecting, research, cultivation, and qualification across all revenue streams

• Develop and maintain standardized sponsorship tier structures and benefit packages consistent across all events

• Prepare compelling sponsorship proposals, presentations, and contracts that align corporate objectives with SOIN mission and impact

• Negotiate multi-year partnership agreements and renewal terms that maximize value for both the organization and corporate partners

• Oversee the complete sponsorship lifecycle from prospecting through fulfillment and stewardship

• Document and implement clear constituent handoff protocols between Development, Marketing/Communications, Programs, and Events

• Ensure exceptional sponsor stewardship including relationship management, benefit delivery, recognition, and impact reporting

• Collaborate with Marketing/Communications on sponsor benefit fulfillment including logo placement, digital recognition, event activation, and promotional opportunities

• Track and report on sponsorship revenue, conversion rates, renewal rates, and partnership ROI

• Maintain clear separation of fundraising event ownership vs. program/sport ownership

4. County Program Fundraising Support and Peer-to-Peer (10%)

• Provide strategic guidance, resources, and toolkits to county programs for local fundraising events and initiatives

• Ensure consistent application of statewide standards for event execution, gift processing, cash handling, waiver management, and SOPs

• Coordinate with Regional Managers to align county-level events with statewide fundraising goals and brand standards

• Support county programs in securing local sponsorships and building community partnerships

• Develop and manage peer-to-peer fundraising campaigns and digital platforms across special events

• Create and implement incentive and recognition programs to motivate participants, teams, and top fundraisers

• Analyze peer-to-peer fundraising data to identify conversion opportunities and optimize campaign performance

5. Cross-Functional Collaboration and Systems Development (10%)

• Partner with Marketing/Communications to implement consistent brand execution, storytelling, and digital content strategies

• Collaborate with the Manager of Marketing on event marketing materials, social media campaigns, and promotional timelines

• Work with Programs team to coordinate event integration with sports competitions and athlete engagement opportunities

• Ensure coordination with the Director of LETR on Law Enforcement participation in signature events and LETR-specific fundraising initiatives

• Document sponsorship and event processes, workflows, and accountability structures to improve transparency and efficiency

• Participate in development team meetings, strategy sessions, and cross-departmental planning initiatives

• Support the Sr. Director of Individual Giving by identifying and facilitating warm handoffs for major donor prospects identified through events

QUALIFICATIONS

• Education: Bachelor's degree in event management, business, marketing, communications, nonprofit management, or related field required

• Experience: Minimum of 5-7 years of progressive experience in event planning and management. Demonstrated experience with corporate sponsorship sales, portfolio management, and partnership stewardship preferred. Nonprofit fundraising experience highly valued

• Skills: Strong strategic thinking and planning abilities; excellent verbal and written communication skills; proven relationship management and sales skills; ability to negotiate and close complex partnership agreements; exceptional organizational and project management capabilities; customer service excellence; time management and ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously; data-driven decision-making and analytical skills; self-starter with ability to work independently and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment

• Technology: Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook); experience with CRM/fundraising database systems (Raiser's Edge preferred); event management and registration platforms; digital fundraising and peer -to -peer tools; project management software.

SPECIAL DEMANDS / OPPORTUNITIES
The employee fulfilling this role acknowledges that SOIN is their primary place of employment. During regular business hours, they are available for in-person meetings and events and virtual meetings and events and are available via email and phone with internal and external audiences.

Significant travel (in and out of state) required; extensive evening and weekend work during event seasons; some physical set-up of venues and on-site event management; networking with Special Olympics organizations across the country and corporate partners statewide. In-service training provided

This position requires a high degree of flexibility and adaptability to respond to changing priorities, urgent sponsor needs, and time-sensitive event demands.

Job duties associated with this position require the use of a personal portable electronic device, such as a smart phone. Access to this personal device and any fees incurred during use will be the responsibility of the employee. See Employee Handbook for full policy information.

Final offer of employment is contingent on a successful background and credit check.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $60,000.00 - $65,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Education:

• Bachelor's (Preferred)

Experience:

• Events management: 3 years (Preferred)

Language:

• English, Spanish (Preferred)

Ability to Commute:

• Indianapolis, IN 46278 (Required)

Ability to Relocate:

• Indianapolis, IN 46278: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person