Manager, Event Operations

Position Summary

The Manager of Event Operations plays a key role in planning, producing, and evaluating high-impact events that drive Food Bank For NYC's success. They will lead with innovation by reimagining how NYC experiences non-profit events, creating bold, mission-driven storytelling moments that transform philanthropy.

Reporting to the Director of Donor Relations, this role serves as the main project manager for events and works closely with colleagues across multiple teams to ensure every event aligns with fundraising goals and donor engagement priorities. The Manager oversees logistics, production, and vendor relationships, while also coordinating staff and volunteer involvement to deliver a seamless and meaningful experience across Food Bank's portfolio of events.

Each event should reflect and advance Food Bank For New York City's mission while strengthening our brand identity and creating opportunities for meaningful engagement. This role demands strong project management, cross-department collaboration, and a storytelling mindset to design experiences that clearly connect our mission to our events. The Manager ensures a diverse portfolio of events that are accessible at every giving level, offering meaningful opportunities for connection and engagement.

Strategic Collaboration

• Partner with organizational leadership to define event goals, audiences, and key messages.
• Serve as clearing house and resource for organization-wide event planning and strategies and ensure events are on-brand and support our overall objectives.
• Develop strategies to cultivate deeper donor engagement to optimize future fundraising efforts that will contribute to campaign outcomes.
• Participate in list development and segmentation in coordination with the Campaign Manager and Director of Fundraising Operations.
• Collaborate across teams to ensure events align with Food Bank's mission, brand, and values.

Event Planning and Execution

• Develop and implement comprehensive event plans, including timelines, run-of-show documents, staffing plans, and coordination of logistics.
• Secure venues and manage vendor contracts (catering, A/V, decor, transportation).
• Lead on-site execution, including setup, donor check-in, staff coordination, and issue resolution.
• Serve as primary point of contact for external consultants supporting signature Food Bank events, including Gotham Ball and Eat For Good dinners, ensuring consistent execution and brand representation.
• Support third-party and Junior Board events by providing guidance and oversight to external partners and young professionals hosting mission-aligned events that build future leadership pipelines.
• Assist with donor experiences such as Mission Engagement Tours, Friends and Family Repacks, and Philanthropy Dinners providing logistic support, staffing, and other needs as required.
• Provide event expertise, strategic input, and planning tools to other teams managing their own events, acting as a consultative partner, not direct event lead, for activities such as community, partner, or program events.

Project and Data Management

• Oversee event technology platforms (NXT Events, Classy); create registration sites, track metrics, and ensure data accuracy across systems. Continuously improve processes to support efficiency.
• Analyze event performance and report updates to the CDO and key stakeholders.
• Use Teams and  to manage workflows, timelines, and deliverables across departments.
• Collaborate with Senior Manager of Donor Communications and Engagement, Campaign Manager, and Mar Comm team on pre-event materials and messaging, event-day collateral, and post-event outreach including Gratavid videos, thank-you notes, and impact reports.
• Collect feedback, capture insights, and contribute and file event debriefs.

Budget Oversight

• Manage event budget in partnership with the Senior Administrative Manager, ensuring accurate tracking of revenue and expenses.

Qualifications

• 3 - 5 years of experience in event planning.
• Strong project management skills, with the ability to manage up and across to ensure deadlines are met.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills for donor cultivation and event promotion.
• Collaborative, detail-oriented, and adaptable in fast-paced environments.
• Experience planning and executing complex events across diverse teams.
• Demonstrated ability to design innovative event experiences that connect audiences to mission and impact.
• Familiarity with donor-centered fundraising and campaign strategy.
• Bring fresh, creative ideas to enhance donor engagement and recognition.
• Proficiency with fundraising databases (Raiser's Edge NXT preferred) and Microsoft Office Suite.
• Comfortable working with high-level stakeholders including board members, major donors, and senior executives.
• Collaborative, proactive, and solution oriented.
• Occasional evening and weekend availability is required based on event needs.
• Travel across NYC boroughs to various venues is expected.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 lbs. of event supplies and…