Manager, Signature Events & Partnerships (Washington DC Metro Area)

Manager, Signature Events & Partnerships

Cancer Support Community (CSC) is seeking an ambitious and detail-oriented individual who is passionate about making a difference in the lives of people impacted by cancer for our Manager, Signature Events & Partnerships position. 

The Manager, Signature Events & Partnerships, is responsible for the planning and execution of Cancer Support Community’s (CSC) signature fundraising events, with a focus on driving revenue through corporate partnerships and delivering high-quality donor and participant experiences.
This role manages day-to-day event operations and partnership activation across CSC’s event portfolio—including the Sunburst Gala, Cocktails for a Cause, Broadway at Barbara’s, and key DMV-based events—ensuring strong financial performance, elevating brand visibility, and deepening relationships with corporate partners and donors.
The Manager is directly responsible for generating event-based partnership revenue and ensuring events serve as effective entry points for deeper engagement with CSC. This role oversees a signature event portfolio generating approximately $500K annually.

JOB SUMMARY:

The Manager, Signature Events & Partnerships, is responsible for the planning and execution of CSC’s signature fundraising events, with a focus on driving revenue through corporate partnerships and delivering high-quality donor and participant experiences. This role manages day-to-day event operations and partnership activation across CSC’s event portfolio—including the Sunburst Gala, Cocktails for a Cause, Broadway at Barbara’s, and key DMV-based events—ensuring strong financial performance, elevating brand visibility, and deepening relationships with corporate partners and donors. This position is directly responsible for generating event-based sponsorship revenue and ensuring events serve as effective entry points for deeper engagement with Cancer Support Community. This role is responsible for a signature event portfolio generating approximately $500k annually, including the Sunburst Gala ($350,000), Broadway at Barbara’s ($50,000), and Cocktails for a Cause ($40,000), representing a significant portion of CSC’s annual development revenue.

SIGNATURE EVENT STRATEGY, PLANNING, AND EXECUTION

• Lead the planning and execution of CSC’s signature fundraising events, ensuring alignment with revenue goals,brand strategy, and donor engagement priorities.

•Serve as the primary lead for signature events, including the Sunburst Gala, Cocktails for a Cause, Broadway atBarbara’s, and DMV-based events.

•Oversee all aspects of event execution, including venue coordination, vendor management, contracts, timelines,run of show, and post-event follow-up.

•Manage event budgets, ensuring strong financial performance and return on investment.

•Deliver mission-driven event experiences that inspire action, deepen connection, and strengthen long-term engagement with CSC.

SIGNATURE EVENT PARTNERSHIPS & REVENUE GROWTH

•Lead the development and execution of event-based partnerships as a core revenue stream.

•Own and achieve partnership revenue goals across CSC’s event portfolio.

•Build and manage a pipeline of partners, including prospect identification, outreach, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.

•Own and actively manage a portfolio of event-related partners, including corporate sponsors, in-kind partners, and key vendors.

•Develop customized partnership opportunities aligned with CSC’s mission.

•Identify opportunities for cause marketing, in-kind support, and other event-related partnerships.

•Ensure sponsors receive appropriate recognition, visibility, and engagement before, during, and after events.

DONOR & PARTNER ENGAGEMENT

•Leverage events as a strategic entry point for engaging new and existing donors and corporate partners.

•Collaborate with the Development team to align event participation with broader fundraising and engagement strategies.

•Support pathways for continued involvement by connecting event attendees, sponsors, and partners to ongoing giving and engagement opportunities.

•Ensure timely and coordinated post-event follow-up and stewardship to strengthen long-term relationships and retention.

CROSS-FUNCTIONAL COLLABORATION

•Partner with Digital Marketing and Communications teams to align event messaging, timelines, and campaign integration.

•Collaborate with Executive Leadership Team to ensure coordinated engagement opportunities.

•Work across internal teams to ensure consistency in brand, messaging, and event experience.

OPERATIONS AND REPORTING

•Manage event timelines, budgets, and deliverables across multiple projects simultaneously.

•Track and report on event performance, including revenue against established targets, sponsorship growth, and engagement metrics.

•Partner with Development team members to ensure accurate tracking of sponsorships, revenue, and donor engagement within CRM system.

•Coordinate with internal staff, vendors, and external partners to support successful event execution.

•Maintain organized records of event plans, sponsor deliverables, and post-event outcomes.

Performs other duties as requested by management

SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
•Demonstrated ability to execute revenue-generating events and manage corporate partnerships.
•Strong relationship-building skills with the ability to cultivate, steward, and retain sponsors and partners.
•Excellent project management skills with the ability to manage multiple events, timelines, and priorities simultaneously.
•Strong organizational skills and attention to detail across logistics, budgets, and deliverables.
•Effective communicator with strong written and verbal skills; able to represent CSC professionally with partners and stakeholders.
•Ability to work cross-functionally and collaborate effectively across Digital Marketing and Communications teams
•Solutions-oriented with the ability to problem-solve in fast-paced, event-driven environments.
•Passion for CSC’s mission with a commitment to equity, inclusion, and community-building.

TECHNICAL SKILLS:
•Proficiency with donor CRM systems (e.g., Virtuous, Salesforce, Raiser’s Edge).
•Experience with event and fundraising platforms (e.g., BetterUnite, Classy, or similar tools).
•Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
•Experience with Canva or similar design tools for event materials preferred.

WHAT SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE:
•Signature events are executed seamlessly, delivering high-quality experiences for attendees, sponsors, and partners.
•Event revenue goals are consistently met or exceeded, with strong growth in sponsorship and partnership support.
•A healthy and growing pipeline of event partners and sponsors, with strong retention and renewal rates.
•Events serve as effective entry points for new donors and partners, supporting broader development goals.
•Sponsor and partner deliverables are executed accurately and on time, ensuring a positive and professional experience.
•Cross-functional teams are well-coordinated, resulting in aligned messaging, strong participation, and successful event outcomes.
•Event data, revenue, and engagement metrics are accurately tracked and reported.

EDUCATION: Bachelor’s degree preferred

EXPERIENCE: 5+ years of progressive experience in nonprofit development with demonstrated success in event fundraising, including planning and executing high-quality, large-scale, or signature events, as well as donor relations and stewardship.

WORK LOCATION: This is a remote role, with a preference for candidates based in the Northeast region, particularly the DMV area (Washington, D.C., Maryland, Virginia). In-person attendance is required for events, with occasional travel for meetings and partner engagement as needed.

SALARY AND BENEFITS: Dependent on experience. In addition to a competitive base salary, we offer a generous benefits package. 

HOW TO APPLY: Please submit an original cover letter and resume.

*Applications are accepted and considered on a rolling basis.

*Applications without a cover letter will not be considered.

ABOUT CANCER SUPPORT COMMUNITY

The mission of the Cancer Support Community (CSC) is to uplift and strengthen people impacted by cancer by providing support, fostering compassionate communities, and breaking down barriers to care. Backed by evidence that the best cancer care includes social and emotional support, CSC offers a menu of personalized services and education for patients and families affected by all types of cancer. CSC provides the highest quality emotional and social support through a network of over 200 locations in 50 markets worldwide, including CSC and Gilda's Club centers as well as healthcare partnerships. These locations, along with a toll-free helpline, digital services, and award-winning education materials, provide more than $50 million in free support services to patients and families each year. We believe in equity for all, including in health care, and fight every day to ensure that all people are treated with dignity and respect and have the opportunity to live healthy and safe lives — physically, mentally, and emotionally.

For more information, visit www.CancerSupportCommunity.org

Cancer Support Community is an Equal Opportunity Employer