Associate Director, Special Events

Action Against Hunger leads the global movement to end hunger. We innovate solutions, advocate for change, and reach 24 million people every year with proven hunger prevention and treatment programs. As a nonprofit that works across 50 countries, our 8,300 dedicated staff members partner with communities to address the root causes of hunger, including climate change, conflict, inequity, and emergencies. We strive to create a world free from hunger, for everyone, for good.

Action Against Hunger USA is part of the Action Against Hunger International network. As an independent NGO, Action Against Hunger USA currently manages operations in 8 countries: Kenya, South Sudan, Somalia, Tanzania, Uganda, Ethiopia, Zambia, and Haiti. Action Against Hunger-USA has over $100 million in programs and approximately 1,800 permanent staff based in New York City, Washington D.C, Nairobi, and country offices. Additional growth is anticipated.

Job Summary

Action Against Hunger’s External Relations Department is seeking a dynamic and experienced professional to join our team as a Special EventsAssociate Director. This leadership role offers an exciting opportunity to shape, elevate, and execute impactful special and strategic events that contribute to the overall success of our organization.

The Associate Director of Special Events will be responsible for implementing an annual engagement calendar designed to accelerate ACF’s strategic goals. They will execute a varied events strategy intended to raise revenue, acquire new supporters, increase brand visibility, enable advocacy opportunities, support board leadership, or facilitate moments of appreciation for our community.

This plan includes signature events such as our annual gala and our 'Together Against Hunger' event. This role will oversee the strategic approach for all events, including assessing event success and engagement.

Purpose: This leadership position is designed to harness creativity and strategic thinking to drive the planning and implementation of events that align with our mission and elevate our brand.

Engagement: Engage with internal and external stakeholders and teams to develop and execute a productive and comprehensive events strategy across the Action Against Hunger US and Global audience.

Delivery: Set the direction of our Special Events portfolio, driving innovation and ensuring the success of high-impact events that align with our organizational goals.

Essential Job Duties

Strategic Leadership:

• Develop and implement a comprehensive Special Events strategy aligned with ACF's goals and values.
• Be the visionary leader of the events team, guiding the planning of events that elevate our brand and engage diverse stakeholders.
• Oversee the development and management of event budgets, ensuring fiscal responsibility and alignment with organizational objectives.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure effective coordination and seamless execution of events.

Stakeholder Engagement:

• Cultivate and maintain relationships with key stakeholders, including donors, sponsors, and community partners.
• Act as the face of the organization at events, ensuring strong connections with external stakeholders and enhancing partnerships.

Strategic Marketing and Promotion:

• Work closely with the communication and marketing team to develop and execute strategic promotional plans for events, maximizing attendance and impact.
• Utilize various channels, including social media, press releases, and email campaigns, to enhance the visibility of our events.

Post-Event Evaluation:

• Conduct thorough post-event evaluations to assess success, gather feedback, and identify areas for improvement.
• Prepare comprehensive reports on event outcomes, including return on investment and key performance indicators.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• This role supervises the Special Events Officer.

Physical Demands

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and talk or hear. During event prep, execution and breakdown, the employee frequently is required to walk. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move more than 50 pounds.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to sit for long periods and to concentrate on work, including typing, and turn out heavy volumes of work accurately, within short time frames under stressful situations in the context of a moderately noisy office with many interruptions. Must be able to proofread their own work accurately so that only minor corrections are needed on an infrequent basis.
• To travel to the field, the employee must attest to a level of physical fitness capable of enduring physically difficult, highly stressful situations which may include the necessity to walk long distances, carry a backpack or other equipment of up to 50 pounds, to ride long distances over very poor road/water conditions, to eat a limited diet and/or to reside in potentially uncomfortable housing or tents.
• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Working Conditions, Travel and Environment

• The duties of the job require regular job attendance five days per week. Must be available to occasionally work outside normal office hours or on the weekends as required by contact with the missions, mission security, or other obligations.
• Must be able to travel as required for standard domestic and international business travel as well as to the missions if appropriate. While visiting the field, the employee may be exposed to precarious settings under high security risks and/or very basic living conditions and outside weather conditions, as well as to infectious diseases.

Gender Equality Commitments & Zero Tolerance to Abuse

• Foster an environment that reinforces values of people of all genders, and equal access to information.
• Provide a work environment where people of all genders must be evaluated and promoted based on their skills and performance.
• Promote a safe, secure, and respectful environment for all stakeholders, particularly for children, people we serve, and members of staff.
• Help to prevent any type of abuse including workplace harassment and sexual abuse and exploitation.
• Respect the people we serve regardless of gender, sex orientation, disability, religion, race, color, ancestry, national origin, age, or marital status.
• Value and respect all cultures.

Required Qualifications and Professional Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Public Relations, Event Management, or a related field; Master’s degree is advantageous.
• Proven leadership experience (8+ years) in planning and executing successful Special Events in the NY and DC areas.
• Experience and ability to work effectively with CEO, executives, board leadership, donors, and staff.
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage effectively with diverse stakeholders.
• Experience in international development, humanitarian work, and nonprofit events desired.

Required Skills & Competencies

• A deep understanding of charitable giving, nonprofit event development, organizational event branding, and creating cohesive event strategies.
• Strong project management skills with the ability to lead a team in an intense-paced environment.
• Creativity, adaptability, and tenacity in pursuit of executing polished and inspiring Special Events.
• Domestic and international travel (10%-25%).