Director of Special Events
Published: 07/22/2025
The Pastoral Center Development Corporation, located in Miami Shores, Florida, is hiring a full-time Director of Special Events. This person is responsible for establishing, implementing and supervising all annual Archdiocesan development events. The Director will take a leadership role to determine the best strategies for effective stewardship of donors through donor recognition events, engagement of the Catholic community through friend-raising events, and development support by fundraising through sponsorships of events designed to support the funding priorities of the Archdiocese of Miami. The Director is also responsible for sustaining positive and mutually-rewarding relations between the Archdiocese of Miami and its donors as well as the parishes and programs through special events. This position performs all duties and responsibilities in alignment with the mission, vision and values of the Catholic Archdiocese of Miami.
Responsibilities include:
- Design, execute and supervise all annual Archdiocesan development events.
- Work with Development Services and Donor Communications to establish and manage information tracking processes regarding acknowledgement, recognition, ongoing communication and continued cultivation of past and current major donors to special events.
- Fiscal oversight of the events budget.
- Create and sustain positive and mutually rewarding relations between the Archdiocese of Miami and its donors as well as the parishes, schools and other entities, and programs.
- Responsible for identifying, cultivating and soliciting donors for the purpose of event sponsorship and financial support of the funding priorities of the Archdiocese.
- Identify prospects for hosting special events at their homes.
- Responsible for soliciting gifts in-kind to offset the expenses of hosting special events, such as alcohol, rentals, audiovisual, and more.
- Establish and implement methods to identify, track and cultivate event participants and move them through the continuum of giving.
- Work closely with the Donor Relations Manager to ensure proper and timely briefing of the President and Archbishop of all external events.
- Organize, plan and supervise all aspects of all Archdiocesan donor recognition events.
- Provide consulting event services to parishes, schools and other entities, and programs as assigned by the President.
- Ensure prompt and accurate gift acknowledgement, stewardship and recognition for gifts obtained through special events.
- Design and disseminate event materials, including invitations, sponsorship decks, and more.
- Provide exemplary customer service to all internal and external constituents who contact the Development Corporation by phone, email, fax or in person and all attendees at events.
- Supervise events staff and volunteers.
- Crosstrain staff to provide coverage in the event of absences.
- Collaborate with other offices, programs and parishes within the Archdiocese as assigned on projects.
- Regularly evaluate events and special projects, both in the formative stages and post-cycle, report results to President.
- Continuously seek improvements and efficiencies in programs and procedures to obtain better results.
- Other duties as assigned.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree and five (5) years’ experience in development/non-profit environment and/or event planning required.
- Master's degree and seven (7) years’ experience in development/non-profit environment and/or event planning, preferred.
- Experience in a Roman Catholic environment is a plus.
- Skilled at negotiation; knowledge of RFP process and ability to evaluate and make good recommendations.
- Knowledge of fundamentals of project management preferred.
- Ability to gain commitment of volunteers and delegate effectively.
- Skilled in supervision of personnel / team.
- Excellent customer service skills required.
- Excellent relationship-building and interaction skills.
- Demonstrated positive outlook and enthusiasm for the mission.
- Good time management skills, including ability to manage several projects at the same time is required.
- Proficiency in MS Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint is required.
- Proficiency with Raiser’s Edge is strongly preferred.
- Good computer literacy, including ability to navigate the World Wide Web.
- Type at least 60 wpm with 90% accuracy.
- Good spelling and grammar are required.
- Good oral and written English-language communication skills is a must, including a clear speaking voice.
- Good Spanish-language spoken and written communication skills strongly preferred.
- Good Haitian Creole-language spoken and written communication skills is a plus.
- Must be supportive of the mission and tenets of the Roman Catholic Church; knowledge of the basic tenets of Catholic Church and parish structures.
- Must have professional demeanor.
To apply: send cover letter with resume address to Katie Blanco Bourdeau, at [email protected] and [email protected]
Subject line should read: Director of Special Events.
