Fast Facts

The Development Specialist, Events is responsible for coordinating donor engagement events and supporting the marketing and communication strategies within the Institutional Advancement team, ensuring successful fundraising and sponsorship activities.

Responsibilities: Key responsibilities include coordinating and executing donor events, managing logistics, collaborating across teams, and developing communication strategies for donor engagement.

Skills: Required skills include excellent communication, organizational abilities, proficiency in Microsoft Office and Salesforce, and experience in nonprofit fundraising.

Qualifications: Preferred qualifications include a BA/BS degree or equivalent experience, three years of fundraising experience, and knowledge of science education or arts.

Location: This job is located in San Francisco, CA, and requires some on-campus presence as well as occasional nights and weekends.

Compensation: $37 - $39 / Hourly

SUMMARY

The Development Specialist plays a key role on the Institutional Advancement (IA) team, supporting the coordination and execution of tasks and projects related to donor fundraising, stewardship, comprehensive campaign, and sponsored events. The position also supports the implementation of comprehensive and strategic communication and marketing plans. Collaboration with various teams within the organization is essential for success in this role. This position reports to the Director, Fundraising Events.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Coordination and Implementation

• Assist staff and key volunteers with the coordination and execution of annual donor engagement events, sponsored programs, and corporate prospecting events, such as fundraisers, stewardship dinners, and exhibition opening receptions
• Work with Corporate Sponsorship team to track contributions and coordinate corporate sponsor recognition with Marketing, Visitor Engagement, and Media Studio teams
• Work with Corporate Sponsorship team to assure benefit fulfillment for corporate members and corporate sponsors
• Solicit and oversee the tracking and acknowledgement of corporate in-kind donations
• Coordinate the organization and distribution of event documentation, including guest lists, attendee, tracking, key donor interactions, and donor research; conduct event debrief meetings to capture best practices and lessons learned
• Assist in managing logistics for lead-up and day-of event support including guest list research and development, RSVP tracking, timeline creation, vendor management, registration list and name tag production, etc.
• Coordinate event staffing with colleagues across teams including AV, Rentals, Public Programs, Visitor Engagement, and others
• Aid in set-up and break-down of each event and manage space-booking for all events
• Serve as liaison to and collaborate with teams across the institution to execute events, including Marketing, Rentals, Operations, Media Studio, and Public Programs

Communications

• Act as a liaison between the IA team and in-house creative studio and marketing teams, developing schedules for and implementing design and communication strategies
• Write and route copy for stewardship event communications, including invitations, reminders and thank you emails
• Communicate with corporate donors of fundraising events to confirm table guests, sponsorship assets, and pledge reminders
• Execute design email communications strategy for event and donor communications
• Maintain events calendars, coordinating team discussions around priorities and strategies for the annual event schedule
• Willingness to work nights and weekends as needed
• Perform additional duties as assigned

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• BA/BS degree or equivalent combination of education and work experience
• Three years of fundraising experience in a nonprofit, educational or museum environment
• Knowledge of best practices in fundraising and event planning
• Ability to work well in a team environment and to liaise effectively with staff members in departments throughout the museum
• Excellent written and verbal communication; outstanding interpersonal skills
• Ability to work independently, prioritize, and manage multiple projects
• Highly organized and detail-oriented
• Possession of excellent problem-solving skills
• Able to exhibit tact and diplomacy in a confidential environment
• Excellent computer skills (Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Salesforce, Google Suite); proficiency with database systems
• Knowledge of science education, arts and education helpful
• Experience dealing with high level volunteers and board members a plus

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENT

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Ability to move from place to place, can bend, twist, reach, and grasp
• Ability to use telephone and work at computer up to 85% of time
• Hybrid role; requires time spent on campus and to work nights and weekends as needed

APPLICATION DEADLINE

This position is open until filled

HOW TO APPLY

This is a regular, full-time (37.5 hours per week), non-exempt, union position that includes benefits. The starting range for this role is $37.69 to $39.92. This range represents steps 1-3 on a 6 step union pay scale. Please, no phone calls in regards to this job. To apply, please visit the Exploratorium job page.

The Exploratorium is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and values diversity, inclusion and respect. We welcome and strongly encourage applicants from all backgrounds. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment.

Exploratorium

Piers 15/17, San Francisco, CA 94111

Website: https://www.exploratorium.edu/about/jobs. No phone calls, please

The Exploratorium is committed to an inclusive workforce.