the client Associate Vice President (AVP) of Events oversees the conceptualization, design, and management of donor events, exhibition openings, campaign events, and museum fundraisers, both on and off campus. The role also manages the facility rental program and provides a distinctive, comprehensive event experience that cultivates and engages donors and guests. The AVP partners on event planning and execution related to major gallery openings and will support ongoing event programming following the opening.
Key responsibilities include leading and mentoring the events team, setting goals, and fostering creativity, accountability, and collaboration. The AVP conceives, designs, and executes or supervises development-related events, which may include fundraising galas, committee events, exhibitions and lender events, leadership and membership events, board meetings and dinners, and other annual programming (approximately 250 events annually). The role manages aspects of event operations end-to-end, including budgeting, invitation list development and design, venue selection and layout, timelines, event production and design, menu planning, staffing schedules, vendor negotiations and contracts, financial reporting, and top-level management of corporate rental programs.
The AVP will develop and launch a robust facility rental program, provide financial oversight of departmental budgets (including forecasting and strategic planning with relevant internal partners on program dates), ensure quality control across the annual event calendar, and analyze facilities rental opportunities to support revenue generation for a new campus. The role also monitors trends in event design, sustainability, and technology; establishes best practices for planning, production schedules, guest management, and post-event reporting; and serves as a liaison between Development and other museum departments to execute events. Qualifications include a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field and typically at least 8 years of experience managing large, complex events with at least 5 years in supervisory roles, along with strong fundraising execution, event logistics expertise, and the ability to collaborate with curatorial, education, and development teams.