Are you a visionary events professional who thrives on transforming innovative concepts into flawlessly executed experiences? Williams College seeks a highly collaborative and organized individual to join our fast-paced Development team as the Development Special Events Manager (DSEM). This pivotal role is perfect for a creative thinker with exceptional project management skills, someone who can inspire philanthropic giving through meticulously planned and memorable donor engagement events.
As our DSEM, you will serve as a thought leader, shaping and elevating our event portfolio to underscore the profound impact of charitable contributions. Your creative ideas and meticulous attention to detail will be essential in crafting impactful experiences that deeply resonate with our guests, from college trustees and high-level donors to faculty, staff, and community members.
This full-time, 40-hour per week position is integral to our core fundraising efforts, advancing relationships with key donors, prospects, and volunteers to inspire philanthropic commitments and support stewardship. Reporting to the Director of Major Giving, you will be a key partner within the Development team, providing administrative and logistical management for dozens of donor-facing events each year, both on and off campus. You will collaborate closely with colleagues across Development, campus partners, and external constituents to ensure the successful execution of shared visions for these critical events.
We are looking for a flexible and responsive team player who excels at managing multiple complex, high-priority projects. The successful candidate will consistently develop and execute events to the highest standards, demonstrating an elevated degree of professionalism and customer service. You will continuously gather feedback and observations to inform and lead the team in constantly reimagining the most inspiring events, ensuring our programs remain innovative and impactful.
The ideal candidate will be the team’s thought leader, bringing current and emerging trends to the table, generating groundbreaking ideas, and refining concepts to create unforgettable moments.

Responsibilities:

• Serve as a creative thought leader for Development events, partnering with gift officers and the entire Development team to develop innovative and impactful programming
• Project manage the planning, organization, and execution of on- and off-campus event and programs from conception to completion.
• Provide logistical execution of events, including staffing events both on- and off-campus
• Establish close, collaborative relationships with College Relations partners, campus partners, and external constituents to ensure successful execution of shared visions for events
• Design and continually enhance processes and systems for the successful project management of high-level events, optimizing efficiency and impact.
• Orchestrate all event details, including guest list management, invitation processes, registration, comprehensive briefings, hotel room blocks, decor, donor gifts, strategic venue selection, and other critical tasks.
• Conduct thorough research and selection of vendors, skillfully negotiating contracts and pricing to ensure optimal value.
• Manage and maintain event budgets

Qualifications:

• Associate’s Degree plus 5 or more years of relevant experience required, or an equivalent combination of education and experience
• Direct experience planning and executing successful events and programs is required
• High level of organization and attention to detail
• Proven creativity and a strong aptitude for generating innovative ideas.
• Ability to communicate effectively and empathetically to a diverse population of students, faculty and staff; utilizing both written and verbal communication
• Strong customer service and ability to maintain highest level of confidentiality and discretion
• Multitasking and time management skills, working on multiple projects simultaneously with many moving parts
• Ability to take initiative, collaborate with various constituents, and work independently
• Ability to learn new software and databases quickly
• Occasional evening and weekend work and travel is required

For consideration, a cover letter is required. In your cover letter, please share an example of a time when you effectively balanced the high-level, creative thinking required to develop visionary events with the “in the weeds” operational tasks necessary to execute them flawlessly. Please attach your cover letter in your application as a separate document.
Application review will begin on October 3, 2025. Pay range is from $70,000 to $80,000, commensurate with experience.
Williams College is deeply committed to building a broadly diverse and inclusive community where members from all backgrounds can live, learn, and thrive.
Hybrid on-site/remote work arrangements may be available up to 2 days per week, with approval for employees based in NY, MA, CT, or VT; subject to review and revision as policy evolves.
This full-time position is eligible for Williams College’s robust benefits package designed to support you in your work and overall health and wellness. Please visit
http://careers.williams.edu
to apply.
Employment at Williams is contingent on the verification of background information submitted by the applicant, including the completion of a criminal record check, and education when applicable. Decisions regarding appointments, promotions, and conditions of employment comply with applicable federal or state law prohibiting discrimination based on race, color, sex, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, ancestry, or military service.
Beyond meeting fully its legal obligations for non-discrimination, Williams College is committed to building a diverse and inclusive community where members from all backgrounds can live, learn and thrive. As part of this commitment, we will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process please feel free to contact us via phone at (413) 597-2681 or email at
hr@williams.edu

• Serve as a creative thought leader for Development events, partnering with gift officers and the entire Development team to develop innovative and impactful programming
• Project manage the planning, organization, and execution of on- and off-campus event and programs from conception to completion.
• Provide logistical execution of events, including staffing events both on- and off-campus
• Establish close, collaborative relationships with College Relations partners, campus partners, and external constituents to ensure successful execution of shared visions for events
• Design and continually enhance processes and systems for the successful project management of high-level events, optimizing efficiency and impact.
• Orchestrate all event details, including guest list management, invitation processes, registration, comprehensive briefings, hotel room blocks, decor, donor gifts, strategic venue selection, and other critical tasks.
• Conduct thorough research and selection of vendors, skillfully negotiating contracts and pricing to ensure optimal value.
• Manage and maintain event budget