AVP, Community Events; Southeast

Overview

The National Multiple Sclerosis Society mobilizes people and resources to drive research for a cure and to address the challenges of everyone affected by MS. To fulfill this mission, the Society funds cutting-edge research, drives change through advocacy, facilitates professional education, collaborates with MS organizations around the world, and provides programs and services designed to help people with MS and their families move their lives forward.

We partner with volunteers to accomplish our work. Staff members engage volunteers through effective and timely communications, facilitating meaningful opportunities, and continually seeking and providing feedback for reciprocal growth and learning.

The Assistant Vice President, Community Events provides strategic leadership and vision for the organization’s campaign event fundraising portfolio in the Southeast US region
, overseeing planning, execution, and long-term growth for Walk MS, Hike MS and Climb to the Top. This role manages a team of 10-18 market-based fundraising professionals, sets revenue targets, and drives innovation to expand reach, deepen donor engagement, and maximize impact. As a leader, the AVP collaborates cross-functionally with executive leadership, marketing, and development teams to align event strategies with organizational priorities and mission outcomes.

The AVP is accountable for team performance, staff development, donor stewardship, and ensuring campaign alignment with national strategy and regional priorities.

• Provide strategic leadership and oversight for a regional portfolio of fundraising events aligned to a specific campaign (Community, Endurance, or Signature Events).
• Supervise a team of 10–18 market-based fundraisers, setting clear goals, managing performance, and fostering a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.
• Set clear expectations, delegate effectively, and ensure accountability for team performance and goal achievement
• Ensure team structure and staffing are optimized for performance, balancing workloads and aligning talent to campaign needs
• Provide coaching, feedback, and development support to staff at all levels, creating growth pathways and building fundraising capacity
• Collaborate with Vice Presidents and regional leadership to align campaign execution with national strategy and local priorities
• Monitor and analyze team performance using KPIs and CRM data to drive coaching, planning, and course-correcting strategies to ensure regional success
• Partner with Individual Giving and Corporate Partnerships teams to deepen donor relationships, activate sponsors, and grow revenue from institutional funders.
• Contribute to revenue forecasting, budgeting, and planning processes for DIY fundraising
• Champion innovation, cross-team collaboration and operational efficiency by encouraging idea-sharing and adopting best practices across markets
• Represent the region and campaign at organizational meetings and collaborate cross-functionally to advance strategic goals.

• 3+ years’ experience managing a team
• Thorough knowledge of functional area and department processes.
• Proven ability to align regional strategies with national campaign goals and drive event-based fundraising growth.
• Experience using data analytics and CRM tools (e.g., Salesforce) to inform decisions and improve campaign outcomes; able to communicate data and set direction to team.
• Demonstrated success managing complex event portfolios, budgets, and logistics with strategic innovation.
• Strong leadership skills, including coaching, performance management, and workload balancing across teams.
• Skilled in donor stewardship and relationship management, in partnership with individual giving and major gifts teams.
• Experience growing and activating corporate sponsor ships through strategic partnerships and collaboration.
• Track record of identifying revenue opportunities through effective prospecting and donor engagement.
• Commitment to continuous improvement and operational excellence in fundraising processes and participant experience.
• Effective communicator with the ability to foster cross-functional…