Senior Manager, Events and Experiences, Global Development and Communications

This is a hybrid position which requires 8 days/month in the office. You can be based in our office in Washington DC. Existing work authorization is required at the time of application submission as WRI is unable to sponsor any visa work sponsorship for this position. To be eligible for this position in US, you must be a resident of DC, Maryland or Virginia at the start of employment.

About the Program:

Now is the time to move from commitments to action on climate change—WRI is at the forefront of this urgent transition. WRI has the knowledge, convening power and tools to drive change.

This role will sit in WRI’s Communications and Global Development functions with a unique opportunity to optimize existing programming and co-create, propose and launch new events, meetings and experiences around the world.

The Individual Philanthropy Sector is part of WRI’s broader Global Development Program, which coordinates all fundraising for WRI. Individual Philanthropy Sector builds relationships with Individuals and Family Foundations to help the Institute deliver results and bring about a more equitable and sustainable world.

Communications is crucial to WRI’s ability to bring about rapid, systemic changes to the health of society and the planet. The WRI Communications team works to expand WRI’s reach, reputation, and impact, and oversees strategy and outreach for the Institute in support of WRI leadership, programs and country/regional offices.

Job Highlight:

This is a new position to champion and elevate WRI’s high-impact donor and stakeholder engagements. You will draw on your proven record of success across at least 10 years in event strategy, end-to-end design, implementation and project management.

This position supports the Communications team 50% and the Individual Philanthropy team 50%.

As a leader for the Individual Philanthropy function, you will be responsible to deliver highly curated, dynamic, impactful and inspiring events and experiences ranging from small-scale gatherings or donor field trips to 300+ person receptions and gatherings that enable out-the-door fundraisers to advance funder and prospect relationships and elevate WRI’s profile and brand.

Working closely alongside the Impact Philanthropy and Executive office teams, you will play a key role in bringing plans to fruition for Individuals, Family Foundations, and Family Offices who currently make or have the capacity to make six-figure and transformational gifts. You will be a key partner to ensure not only the guest experience, but also to marry the vision and experience of event co-hosts with WRI strategy, objectives and brand.

As leader on WRI’s Communications team you will be working with the team which provides global institutional communications leadership and support. WRI’s Events team supports events in our global headquarters and brings consistency and excellence to our major global events series at Climate Week in New York and COP, for example. We aim to build more profile, better engagement and a more strategic approach to our convenings. You will collaborate with cross-departmental teams, interface on highest-level functional issues, and provide recommendations with full understanding of cross organizational impact and needs.

You will be supported by the Individual Philanthropy, Executive office and Board teams as well as the Events Team. You will report to the Chief Communications Officer and the Senior Advisor, Impact Philanthropy. 

What will you do:

High-Impact and Prestige Event Strategy and Optimization (20%): -

DEVELOPMENT

• Partner with the Director of Principal Gifts, Director of Major Gifts and Programmatic teams to identify and define new event and experience opportunities, utilizing the fail-fast principle to test new ideas
• Develop and manage an event and engagement calendar that aligns with donor-specific solicitation and stewardship cycles
• Work with the Director of Principal Gifts, the Executive office and Board team to leverage select premier external gatherings [e.g.: WEF Annual Meetings in Davos, Aspen Institute] to expand our network of ultra-high net wealth individuals and influencers

COMMUNICATIONS

• Partner with communications leadership on strategically aligned, high-impact events to optimize for greater engagement, Institutional impact and brand raising
• Work with Communications to optimize WRI’s joined-up event strategy for events such as: Climate Week New York, Climate Week London, COP Biodiversity Conventions, COP Climate Conventions, Spring meetings of the IMF and World Bank

Event Development & Implementation (60%):

• Best-in-Class Experiences: Establish and maintain consistent, high standards for events and experiences. Develop, manage and facilitate all aspects of event and experience planning, including maintaining detailed workplans, timelines, and checklists; site selection, vendor negotiation, event registration, marketing, global travel logistics, insurance, onsite staffing, and post-event reporting
• Strategic Alignment: Collaborate with Development, Executive Office, Program & Communications teams to ensure alignment across strategies and to maximize funder engagement to drive greater giving
• Management: Provide assignments, direction, and support to colleagues supporting the facilitation of events and experiences; prepare and distribute materials; and maintain effective communication with teams and stakeholders.
• Vision: Propose and implement new ideas to improve the event planning and execution process
• Analytics and Optimization: After events, synthesize event metrics, and adapt future event strategies by conducting postmortem assessments
• Budget: Build and manage budgeting for events and experiences associated with the Campaign for People, Nature and Climate
• Communications: Prepare, oversee, and coordinate with communication and design colleagues and relevant development leadership on event materials including invitations, brochures and to arrange photography, videography, or other necessary elements.

Communications Management (20%):

• Management: Provide assignments, direction, and support to colleagues supporting the facilitation of events and experiences in the US and globally; supervise colleagues managing in-person and virtual events, establish appropriate guidelines and standards, and provide coordination for a global network
• Budget: Build and manage budgeting for events and experiences for the Communications team and establish clear charging guidelines. Manage contracting for additional event support and supervise subscriptions and payments

What will you need:

• Education: You have a completed a bachelor’s degree in Communications, Marketing, Public Relations, Hospitality, or related field. Relevant work experience in lieu of degree is accepted
• Experience: You have a minimum of 10 years of relevant experience in planning, managing, and executing events. Global experience preferred. Experience in fundraising events preferred. Experience in managing high-level stakeholders in high profile events essential
• Proven project management and organizational skills; able to develop a strategic work plan, deliver on milestones, lead complex projects, and take ideas from conception to execution
• Experience handling multiple projects, setting priorities, problem-solving and meeting deadlines in a fast-paced and complex environment
• Experience managing staff, budgets, financial and legal aspects of events and donor trips
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to collaborate effectively across teams, and effectively and diplomatically with external stakeholders
• Must be able to travel 4-6 times per year domestically and 4 times per year internationally
• Experience with both collaborative and independent work.
• Experience with and knowledge of Microsoft Office 365, Asana, or other project management and event management tools
• Languages: Proficiency in verbal and written English
• Requirements: Existing work authorization is required where this position is based. WRI is unable to authorize visa work authorization

Potential Salary: US salary range is between 116,000 and 139,000 USD. Salary is commensurate with experience and other compensable factors.

How to Apply: Please submit a resume with a required cover letter by the date of 18 December 2024. We may close for applications sooner if we receive a high volume of qualified applications.

We are unable to consider your application without a cover letter in addition to your resume.

You must apply through the WRI Careers portal to be considered.

What we offer:

• Access to the WRI global network with the opportunity to exchange with and learn from passionate colleagues working at the cutting edge of their fields across Asia, Africa, Europe, Latin America and the US
• The chance to have an impact and to develop your career within a mission driven organization with access to varied learning and training opportunities. 
• A workplace that strives to put diversity and inclusion at the heart of our work
• The opportunity to join and get involved in different working groups and affinity groups to shape the future of WRI
• Commitment to hybrid working model with flexible working hours
• Generous leave days that increase with tenure
• Medical Coverage, Dental Coverage, Vision Coverage, retirement plan access and employer contribution

About Us:

Founded in 1982, World Resources Institute (WRI) is an independent, nonprofit global research organization that turns big ideas into action at the nexus of environment, economic opportunity, and human well-being. We are working to address seven critical challenges that the world must overcome this decade to secure a sustainable future for people and the planet: climate change, energy, food, forests, water, sustainable cities, and the ocean. WRI has a global staff of over 1,800 people with work spanning 60 countries. We have offices in Africa, Brazil, China, Europe, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Colombia and the United States, as well as a growing presence in other countries and regions.

The foundation of our work is delivering high-quality research, data, maps, and analysis to solve the world’s greatest environment and international development challenges and improve people’s lives. We work with leaders in government, business, and civil society to drive ambitious action and create change on the ground. Equally important, we bring together partners to develop breakthrough ideas and scale-up solutions for far-reaching, enduring impact.

Our mission and values:

WRI’s mission is to move human society to live in ways that protect Earth’s environment and its capacity to provide for the needs and aspirations of current and future generations.

Our values are shared ideals that bind us together: Integrity, Innovation, Urgency, Independence and Respect.

Our culture:

WRI is committed to advancing gender and social equity for human well-being in our mission and applies this principle to our organizational and programmatic practices. We are committed to providing equal opportunities in employment; we embrace all diversity and encourage women, the LGBTQ+ community, persons with disabilities, Afro-descendants, and Indigenous people to apply. Recognizing our strong commitment to gender equality, WRI has also been awarded EDGE certification.

Our team in Human Resources carefully reviews all applications.