Director of Events

Job Title:	Director of Events
Reports to:	Senior Director of Visitor Services
FLSA Status:	Exempt
Classification:	Full Time
Compensation:	$65,000 per year

About the Museum

The Children's Museum of Pittsburgh provides innovative and inclusive museum experiences that inspire kindness, joy, creativity and curiosity for all learners. We forge connections with artists, community partners and neighbors to work on behalf of children, youth and families. We have a vision to transform education. We believe people of all ages can benefit from different types of learning experiences.

Benefits:

We are proud to offer a comprehensive benefits package to eligible employees that includes: Medical, Dental, Vision, Flexible Spending Account. Paid Time Off (Vacation, Sick, Holidays, and Floating Holidays). 403(b) Savings Retirement Plan. Life Insurance, Short Term and Long Term Disability. Free Museum membership. Parking at a discounted rate.

Position Summary:

The Director of Events provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for the organization's event portfolio, including fundraising events, facility rentals, donor cultivation events, internal and external organizational functions, and the birthday party program. This role encompasses a broad range of responsibilities, from developing and implementing innovative sales and marketing strategies to overseeing the planning and execution of all events, ensuring seamless coordination among internal departments and external vendors.

The Director plays a critical role in maximizing revenue streams, enhancing the guest experience, and ensuring the long-term financial success of the Events Department while upholding the highest standards of quality and service. A core responsibility of this position is planning and executing the annual gala. The Director works closely with the Senior Director of Philanthropy to establish strategic goals for fundraising and donor engagement events, develop and manage budgets, and strengthen constituent relationships.

This position requires a demonstrated ability to build relationships, manage complex projects, achieve revenue goals, and collaborate effectively across departments.

Supervisory Responsibilities: Events Managers, Senior Birthday Associate, Events Staff, Birthday Associate

Essential Job Duties:

• Provide strategic leadership and operational oversight for all organizational events, including fundraising events, facility rentals, donor cultivation and stewardship events, exhibit openings, internal functions, and the birthday party program.
• In collaboration with the Senior Director of Visitor Services develop, manage, and monitor annual departmental budgets, revenue targets, expenses, and key performance indicators.
• Manage all event-related financial transactions and reporting, ensuring accuracy, accountability, and compliance with organizational policies.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with internal stakeholders, clients, vendors, community partners, volunteers, board members, and committees.
• Recruit, train, lead and mentor staff, fostering a collaborative, inclusive, and high-performing team culture.
• Oversee the planning, coordination, and execution of all events from concept through completion, ensuring seamless operations, exceptional guest experiences, and alignment with organizational goals.
• Develop and implement event logistics, including timelines, staffing plans, schedules, budgets, vendor management, risk management, and operational procedures.
• Serve as the primary staff liaison for fundraising, cultivation, stewardship, and signature events, ensuring effective communication and execution across all stakeholders.
• Lead monthly cross-department planning meetings to coordinate upcoming events, programming requests, space utilization, and scheduling priorities.
• Maintain organization-wide event scheduling systems, including the master calendar and facility reservation platforms.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable permits, regulations, safety standards, and operational guidelines.
• Develop and implement innovative sales, marketing, and business development strategies to increase event, rental, and birthday party revenue.
• Establish and review pricing structures for facility rentals, event packages, and birthday party offerings to maximize profitability and market competitiveness.
• Pursue new business opportunities through networking, community partnerships, client outreach, and relationship management.
• Collaborate with Marketing, Advancement, and other departments to create promotional campaigns, event materials, website content, and social media initiatives.

Gala Leadership

• Lead the planning, coordination, and execution of the organization's annual Gala and other signature fundraising events in partnership with the Executive Director, Senior Director of Philanthropy, Board members, committees, and volunteers.
• In collaboration with the Senior Director of Philanthropy establish event goals, budgets, timelines, sponsorship fulfillment plans, and fundraising strategies to achieve revenue objectives.
• Oversee all Gala logistics, including planning meetings, vendor coordination, production schedules, run-of-show execution, load-in, event operations, and post-event follow-up.

Additional Responsibilities:

• Ensure exceptional client service through proactive communication, personalized support, and attention to detail.
• Oversee contract negotiations, proposals, event confirmations, billing coordination, and issue resolution.
• Serve as the escalation point for complex client concerns, service recovery situations, and contractual matters.
• Continuously evaluate event offerings, client feedback, and industry trends to improve services and drive organizational success.
• Maintain a professional and positive attitude when interacting with visitors, clients, volunteers, community partners, and colleagues.
• Support the museum's educational and family-focused mission through event and birthday party programming.
• Set and review pricing structures for all birthday party packages and facility rental tiers to maximize profitability and market competitiveness.
• Stay informed of emerging trends, best practices, and innovations in the events, hospitality, fundraising, and museum industries.
• Participate in required public-facing events and represent the organization at community functions as needed.
• Serve periodically as Director on Duty on weekends.
• Follow the Collective Bargain Agreement and ensure compliance.
• Issue progressive discipline in accordance with the Collective Bargain Agreement and HR Policy Handbook.
• Monitor payroll and approve timesheets for team members.
• Adhere to all organizational policies, procedures, and safety requirements.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time based on business needs and in support of the mission of Children's Museum of Pittsburgh.

Job Qualifications:

Education: Bachelor's Degree in a related field preferred. Substitution of years of experience may be considered equivalent to formal educational training.

Experience:

• 3-5 years of experience managing events or fundraising activities
• Demonstrated successful management experience of large events (200+ guests)

Skills:

• Strong knowledge of visitor engagement theory and practice, including current research on emerging technologies in museum environments.
• Ability to work effectively with interdisciplinary teams; strong interpersonal and communication skills; diplomatic and collaborative work style.
• Ability to cultivate and maintain strong relationships with diverse internal and external stakeholders and partners; strong understanding of community assets, resources, and interests.
• Ability to think creatively and strategically, as demonstrated through the implementation of innovative ideas or approaches.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment.
• Ability to establish priorities, manage competing demands, delegate appropriately, and oversee multiple time-sensitive projects with competing deadlines.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to create accessible and engaging content for diverse audiences across multiple platforms; strong editing skills.
• Ability to adapt to the evolving needs of the organization and its employees.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite and related software.

Physical Requirements & Equipment Usage:

• Ability to occasionally lift, carry, push, or pull materials and event-related supplies weighing up to 25 pounds.
• The person in this position frequently communicates with staff, guests, and partners. Must be able to exchange accurate information.
• Constantly operates a computer and other office equipment.

The physical demands and work environment characteristics are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Work Environment, Hours of Work, and Travel Requirements:

• Essential duties of this position are performed in a museum environment and other community-based settings, with regular interaction with the public, children, and families and exposure to children and families.
• In office work. Hours may vary. Ability to work evenings and weekends is required.

Clearances:

• FBI fingerprints (Department of Human Services), PA Child Abuse History Certificate (Act 33), and PA State Criminal Record Check (Act 34) are required.

If you are interested in applying for this position, please complete our online application found at:

https://pittsburghkids.org/about/careers-opportunities/careers/

Children's Museum of Pittsburgh provides equal employment opportunities without regard to race, color, ancestry, national origin, gender, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, marital status, religion, age, disability, gender identity, results of genetic testing, veteran or military status, or any other characteristic or trait protected by local, state, or federal law.