Development Associate

About the team:

The Development Associate, Events and Engagement plays a critical role in the planning, production, and execution of strategic donor cultivation events, webinars, and the Vera Annual Dinner. Working closely with colleagues on the development, leadership, communications, finance, legal, and initiative teams, the Associate will design and execute donor engagement opportunities that meet the strategic needs of the Development portfolio. The Associate owns the cultivation event planning and production processes, and will be responsible for driving this work from ideation to completion. Their work directly impacts Vera’s ability to cultivate and steward key funders, supporting the growth of the fundraising program and Vera’s mission to end mass incarceration.

About the role:

Planning

• Own event budget creation, maintenance, and approvals from VP of Development
• Independently research and evaluate vendors/venues, obtain cost estimates, negotiate contracts, and ensure alignment with event objectives
• Develop and manage event invitation lists with input from donor relationship managers
• Own event kickoff meetings and check-ins with Development Team and other stakeholders
• Develop and socialize event management procedures that efficiently and effectively achieve target outcomes

Production

• Manage creation of design assets or multimedia needs, collaborating with communications colleagues as needed
• Partner with finance department to ensure timely payment to vendors and maintain precise budget tracking
• Lead production calls with vendors, ensuring all deliverables are met and proactively addressing any issues
• Maintain seamless communications with internal event stakeholders across teams
• Prepare and manage staff attendees of the event, preparing for their logistical or strategic roles
• Lead and oversee day-of event execution, including setup, guest check in, run of show execution, and closeout
• Partner with Manager, Donor Engagement on logistical event consultant hiring and event planning collaboration

Donor Communications

• Lead event invitations and promotional outreach including mailings, email communications, social media, etc.
• Serve as primary event point of contact for invitees
• Orchestrate event stewardship outreach, including mass email communications in partnership with communications team, as well as personalized individual outreach from leadership for VIP attendees

Data

• Manage quality control and procedure around event data and recordkeeping in CRM, Sharepoint, etc.
• Partner with operations colleagues to ensure all event and outreach data is thoroughly recorded in CRM
• Create and disseminate event attendance reports to stakeholders
• Support Donor Engagement Manager on event data synthesis and analysis, gathering quantitative and qualitative data to evaluate outcomes, record learnings, and inform recommendations to Department leadership for future event efficacy

Other relevant duties as assigned by Manager, Donor Engagement

What qualifications are we looking for?

• An undergraduate degree in related field and/or 4+ years of experience in event planning, donor cultivation and/or related fundraising work
• Excellent organizational and interpersonal skills.
• Strong verbal and written communications skills.
• Prior administrative work experience, preferably in a development or non-profit context.
• Ability to take initiative and remain flexible under tight deadlines while working in a fast-paced and complex organization.
• Ability to work well both independently and collaboratively within a tight-knit team dynamic.

Preferred:

• Strong and demonstrated interest in justice reform and fundraising.
• Excellent data management knowledge and excel.
• Technologically savvy.
• Donor research experience, particularly utilizing LexisNexis and iWave.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities you'll bring:

• Excellent proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite
• Strong Excel data management and analysis skills
• Proficiency in CRM database management

Technical knowledge helpful for this role:

• Microsoft Office Suite
• Every Action CRM
• Zoom and/or Microsoft Teams
• LexisNexis and iWave

Location:

Please note this role will report to our Brooklyn, NY, office. Vera employees adhere to a hybrid schedule and are in-office on an alternating schedule that generally amounts to 10 days per month.

Compensation and Benefits:

The compensation range for this position is $77,000 - $81,000. Actual salaries will vary depending on factors including but not limited to experience and performance. The salary range listed is just one component of Vera Institute’s total compensation package for employees. As an employer of choice in our field, supporting Vera staff - both personally and professionally - is a priority. To do this, we invest in the well-being of our staff through other rewards including merit pay, generous paid time off, a comprehensive health insurance plan, student loan repayment benefits, professional development training opportunities and up to $2,000 annual for education costs and fees relevant to Vera work, employer-funded retirement plan, and flexible time. To learn more about Vera’s benefits offerings, click here.

Applications may also be faxed to:

ATTN: People Resources / Development Associate, Events & Engagement
Vera Institute of Justice
34 35th St, Suite 4-2A, Brooklyn, NY 11232
Fax: (212) 941-9407
Please use only one method (online, mail or fax) of submission.
No phone calls, please. Only applicants selected for interviews will be contacted.

In order to ensure a healthy and safe work environment, Vera Institute of Justice is requiring all employees to be fully vaccinated and provide proof of their COVID-19 vaccine before their start date. Employees who cannot receive the vaccine because of a disability / medical contraindication or sincerely held religious belief may request an accommodation (e.g., an exemption) to this requirement.

Vera is an equal opportunity / affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without unlawful discrimination based on race, color, creed, national origin, sex, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, military status, prior record of arrest or conviction, citizenship status, current employment status, or caregiver status.

Vera works to advance justice, particularly racial justice, in an increasingly multicultural country and globally connected world. We value diverse experiences, including with regard to educational background and justice system contact, and depend on a diverse staff to carry out our mission.

For more information about Vera, please visit www.vera.org.