Senior Director of Donor Experiences

Job Description

Job DescriptionDescription:

Position Summary:

The Senior Director, Donor Experiences provides vision, leadership, and strategic oversight for the Events Services department, managed by its own Director. This senior role ensures the Federation’s live experiences—ranging from intimate gatherings to high-profile community-wide events—are aligned with campaign goals and donor engagement strategies.

This position champions a donor-centered approach to event planning, ensuring each event is shaped by the strategic vision of the lead fundraiser (who understands the intended audience) in collaboration with the Federation’s Marketing team and Information Technology Services (ITS). All events must advance fundraising priorities, deepen relationships, and reflect the values and mission of Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Event Strategy & Oversight

• Provide vision and strategic direction to the Events Services department, led by its own Director, ensuring consistency, continuity, and alignment with fundraising priorities.
• Guide the development of a diverse portfolio of events—virtual, hybrid, and in-person—across the campaign calendar, including marquee events, briefings, recognition gatherings, and cultivation opportunities.
• Oversee development and use of a planning framework and calendar for all major Federation events and all events within the Philanthropy & External Affairs division.
• Ensure all events are designed through a donor-centered lens—where every detail is shaped by audience insight, development strategy, and impact storytelling.
• Coordinate proactively with Marketing and ITS to ensure all audiovisual, branding, messaging, and technology elements are aligned and executed with excellence.

Stakeholder Engagement & Cross-Team Collaboration

• Collaborate with Development Officers, volunteer leaders, program partners, and senior staff to ensure events reflect philanthropic strategy and mission alignment.
• Serve as the primary liaison between the Events Services department and other Federation teams—supporting strong planning conversations, clear goal-setting, and transparent execution.
• Partner with Marketing and ITS on all major events to ensure consistency across messaging, AV experience, and impact reporting.

Operations, Budgeting & Execution

• Oversee budgeting, vendor selection, contract negotiation, and financial reporting for events in partnership with Finance and Operations.
• Maintain a high standard of quality control and risk management for all events and public-facing programs.
• Support documentation and reporting systems to evaluate outcomes, track attendance, and inform future planning.

Team Leadership & Culture

• Lead and mentor the Director of Events Services and serve as a strategic thought partner in managing and growing a high-performing team.
• Foster a culture of professionalism, partnership, creativity, and accountability.
• Create systems for continual learning and evaluation—using post-event debriefs, participant feedback, and team reflection to inform future strategy.

Qualifications and Success Factors:

• Minimum of 8 years of experience leading events, donor relations, or external affairs efforts in a complex organization, with at least 3 years managing staff.
• Proven success designing events that drive philanthropic results, strengthen donor relationships, and reflect brand identity.
• Strong project management and cross-functional leadership skills.
• Experience working with high-level stakeholders and volunteers.
• High emotional intelligence, exceptional communication skills, and the ability to work collaboratively across departments.
• Proficiency with CRM systems (Microsoft Dynamics is a plus), event platforms, and digital tools.
• Experience in a nonprofit, university, hospital, or mission-driven institution preferred.

You’ll Thrive in This Role If You...

• Bring a donor-first mindset and understand how to translate philanthropic priorities into compelling event experiences.
• Are energized by cross-departmental collaboration and navigating complex stakeholder needs.
• Have an eye for both vision and execution—balancing strategy with meticulous planning.
• Are skilled in diplomacy, creative problem-solving, and navigating fast-paced environments.

Work Environment:

Position is eligible to work from home occasionally in accordance with Federation policies. When working from home, employee must:

· Follow all Federation policies and procedures,

· Be available to other employees during Federation’s normal business hours,

· Not work from a public place (e.g., coffee shop, library, etc.) and/or join a public, unsecure wi-fi network when working with sensitive or confidential information,

· Coordinate with IT department to maintain appropriate computer equipment and connectivity.

Pay Rate:

In addition to benefits, we benchmark our salary ranges for new hires in relation to the role, level, and role location; however, we consider a multitude of factors, to include relevant experience, skills, and education/training, to determine compensation within the identified range.

The Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

The duties and responsibilities described are not a comprehensive list and additional tasks may be assigned to the employee from time to time at the Federation’s discretion. Employment is at-will, and this job description is not an employment contract, and nothing herein shall be deemed to create in any way whatsoever an employment contract.

Requirements: