Manager, Community Engagement & Events

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 ResponsibilitiesDesign, 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.QualificationsA 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 RequirementsFull-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.J-18808-Ljbffr