Job / Position Title: Development & Events Manager

Supervisor: Director of Development

Status & Classification: Full-Time & Non-Exempt

Together, we create life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. From our humble beginnings with one boy’s wish to be a police officer, we have evolved to be one of the world’s leading children’s charities, serving children in every community in the United States and its territories. With the help of generous donors and nearly 400 volunteers, Make-A-Wish Central & Northern Florida granted 453 wishes last year.

Position Summary

The Development & Events Manager is instrumental in creating meaningful, high‑impact experiences that advance the mission of Make‑A‑Wish Central and Northern Florida. This role provides strategic logistical oversight and hands‑on fundraising support for internal events, overseeing planning, vendor and donor partnerships, and seamless collaboration across the development team. As the primary liaison to internal event committees, the Manager brings ideas to life with energy, creativity, and precision—driving strong results while striving to meet and exceed fundraising goals.

Duties and Responsibilities

Provide oversight for and implementation of the chapter’s internal fundraising events in the central region including but not limited to the annual Walk for Wishes (spring), and Wishmakers Ball (spring).
Meet and exceed budgeted fundraising goals for internal events related to ticket sales, raffles, silent auctions, donations, individual fundraising, and other nonsponsorship streams of event revenue.
Lead the recruitment, engagement, and performance of volunteer event committees composed of Orlando‑area business leaders and influencers, strengthening participation through consistent communication and relationship management.
Manage event planning operations by overseeing committees and interns, partnering with committee chairs to set timelines, goals, agendas, and expectations that drive efficient coordination and successful event execution.
In collaboration with the Managers of Corporate and Community Partnerships, timely followup once sponsorship is committed to ensure sponsorship benefits are delivered accurately and on time. Ongoing tracking including invoicing and payment collection of benefit completion and any outstanding needs
Assistance with solicitation of new and returning event sponsors as needed.
Plan, implement, track, and manage event fundraising initiatives and subsequent marketing/promotional campaigns.
Serves as a liaison for all vendors and partners before, during, and after all internal events.
Participate in and/or lead internal and external eventrelated meetings.
Oversee all aspects of walker team recruitment and fundraising for the Orlando Walk for Wishes, including conducting kickoffs, lunch and learns, and registration drives.
Serves as the primary contact and fundraising coach to answer queries and requests from Walk for Wishes event constituents.
Manage all in‑kind goods and services donations for the Wishmakers Ball by cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding donors; prospecting and evaluating new donation opportunities; and overseeing all details of the silent and live auctions, including item procurement, packaging, display, and coordination.
Creates multievent asks and proposals when appropriate for prizes, food, alcohol, auction items, etc.
Event budget tracking and reconciliation for all internal events, including processing of donated items upon receipt, data entry, tracking, and organization.
Creates collateral for all internal events including but not limited to: event signage, programs, flyers, invitations, etc.
Creates scripting, event timelines, and program slides for all internal events. Oversee the run of show on event days to ensure smooth execution.
Works with Wish Alumni Manager to coordinate attendance of wish families at Orlando Internal Events. This includes recruitment, sending itineraries, and assigning points of contact for wish families.
Works with Volunteer Manager and in collaboration with the volunteer chairperson for events to ensure an appropriate number of volunteers are recruited and job descriptions are updated for all internal events.
Follows internal bidding process to acquire professional goods and services & contract negotiations.
Event website creation and management for all internal events, including the management and organization of Facebook Event pages, TeamRaiser and OneCause sites.
Email creation and scheduling for internal events that follow a timeline and strategic email plan.
Utilize the features of Salesforce in providing a moves management approach to donors and prospects, continuously summarizing facetoface visits, outreach, communication, and proposal details
Design and implement short and longterm fundraising plans and budgets to support strategic goals
Other duties as assigned.

Knowledge and Abilities

Excellent verbal and written communication
Ability to ask for donations and event participation.
Ability to work and communicate with a wide range of people including families, volunteers, corporate executives, vendors, and community officials.
Highly motivated, goaloriented selfstarter with the ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks and responsibilities; a team player who can work independently and as part of a team
Ability to effectively work in a demanding, fastpaced, and deadlinebased environment
Able to efficiently develop and coordinate a variety of activities and programs, working effectively with other staff, volunteers, interns, and donors
Experience in team setting and ability to work well with others, with demonstrated evidence of strong communication skills
Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail, as well as the ability to manage time, adhere to deadlines, and respond to partners in a timely manner.
Evidence of strong initiative, selfdirection, flexibility, and ability to complete tasks in a timely manner
Ability to lift 40 pounds
Willingness and ability to perform all other duties as assigned, including weekends and evenings as needed

Desired Qualifications

Minimum experience of 23 years in nonprofit development with a demonstrated track record of managing fundraising efforts and events, peertopeer fundraising, and/or new business development
Proven success in cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of event sponsors and inkind donations.
Demonstrated ability to form and leverage relationships with prospects and supporters
Experience in volunteer management and recruitment preferred
Must possess an outgoing and positive personality, collaborative working style, and an enthusiasm for building bridges between and among key stakeholders
Must be able to clearly articulate the case for supporting MakeAWish Central & Northern Florida (oneonone and in audiences of all sizes)
Possess integrity, maturity and ethical awareness; ability to handle sensitive information and maintain strict confidentiality
Proficient in computer skills including Microsoft Office products and donor software (Raiser’s Edge and/or Salesforce preferred)
Commitment to the MakeAWish mission

Working Conditions

This position is in Maitland, FL. The position requires the individual to work in an office environment in a shared office space. The individual must have the ability and willingness to travel regionally as required in this position. Incumbent must be willing to travel and work some nights/weekends.

Rewards and Benefits

Comprehensive benefit package: Medical, Vision, Dental
100% employer paid: Long Term Disability and Life Insurance
Annual incentive potential
401(k) Retirement Savings Plan: up to 3% Match
15 PTO days, 10 Paid Holidays, and 2 Personal Days
Maternity and Paternity Leave (12 weeks total, 6 weeks paid)
Quarterly Team Outings
Early Release Fridays
Individual and Leadership Development
Employee Rewards and Recognition Programs

Join Our Team of Inspired People Transforming Lives

We are more than a great place to work - our work is life-changing. We are an inclusive and diverse group of people who, through a mosaic of backgrounds, thoughts and experiences are united in purposeful work. We are fueled and guided by our values - values that are represented in the inspired people we work with and the transformational work we do every day.

We respect and ensure equal opportunity, regardless of race, religion, ethnicity, national origin, age, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, perceived disability and other legally protected characteristics.

Development and Events Manager - Central Region

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