This position is responsible for designing, managing, and executing a portfolio of programs and events that deepen patron engagement, welcome new audiences, and cultivate a culture of philanthropy among donors and prospects.
At the Grand Rapids Ballet (GRB), the Advancement & Engagement department is responsible for the revenue-generating and community-facing functions of the organization.
The Manager of Community Engagement & Events plays a vital role in advancing GRB’s mission by building meaningful, lasting connections between the organization and the diverse communities it serves. Reporting to the Senior Director of Advancement & Engagement, this position is responsible for designing, managing, and executing a portfolio of programs and events that deepen patron engagement, welcome new audiences, and cultivate a culture of philanthropy among donors and prospects. This role sits at the intersection of audience development, community outreach, and development, serving as a key collaborator across the Advancement & Engagement and Artistic departments.
Key Responsibilities
• Design, manage, and evaluate patron engagement programs including pre-performance events, post-show discussions, open rehearsals, and behind-the-scenes experiences.
• Develop and implement initiatives that introduce new and diverse audiences to the ballet, with attention to accessibility and inclusion.
• Serve as the primary liaison for community partnerships, including collaborations with schools, civic organizations, cultural institutions, and neighborhood groups.
• Represent the company at community events, networking functions, and external meetings to build visibility and relationships.
• Plan and execute a calendar of donor cultivation and stewardship events, including opening night receptions, donor appreciation events, intimate salon gatherings, and annual fundraising events.
• Partner closely with other members of the Advancement & Engagement team to align event strategy with fundraising goals, prospect pipelines, and donor recognition priorities.
• Create meaningful event experiences that deepen donor relationships, communicate organizational impact, and inspire increased philanthropic investment.
• Develop and manage event sponsorship opportunities in coordination with other members of the Advancement & Engagement team.
• Collaborate with the Senior Manager of Marketing & Communication on event promotion, digital communications, and content for social media and the company website.
• Manage event-related revenue and expense budgets, ensuring goals are met while maintaining financial stewardship.
• Implement and oversee the volunteer program, including developing recruitment and training procedures, coordinating volunteer assignments for administrative activities, and overseeing the volunteer assignments and day-of coordination for performances and events.
• Manage event logistics from concept through execution, including venue selection, vendor management, catering, AV/production, volunteer coordination and assignments, invitations, and on-site coordination.
• Maintain accurate records of event participation, community partnerships, and donor engagement activity in the organization's database(s).
• Prepare post-event reports including attendance, revenue, expense summaries, and qualitative outcomes.
• Manage part-time staff, volunteers, and event contractors as needed.
Qualifications
• A passionate commitment to the Ballet’s mission, vision, and values as well as the role of arts organizations in general.
• Bachelor's degree in business, communications, hospitality/event management, or a related field (or a combination of education and equivalent experience).
• Minimum of 3 to 5 years of progressive experience in event planning, community engagement, development, or a related field; experience in a nonprofit arts organization strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated success managing donor or patron events with a range of scales and formats.
• Experience working collaboratively across departments and with senior leadership, board members, and high-profile donors or volunteers.
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to build warm, professional relationships with patrons, donors, community leaders, and staff at all levels.
• Strong project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience managing event budgets and working within financial parameters.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office 365 suite of applications (Teams, Word, Powerpoint, Copilot, Outlook, Excel)
Position Requirements
• Full-time position, weekdays (9am to 5pm) plus evenings and weekends as necessary to work at Ballet performances and events
• Occasional travel
• Valid driver's license
$50,000 - $58,000 per year