Special Events & Stewardship Manager

Job Description

Job DescriptionDescription:

Join McAlister Institute, a 48-year beacon in San Diego's Recovery Community.

McAlister Institute is expanding its Development team during a pivotal moment—an active capital campaign and a renewed focus on strengthening annual philanthropic support. We are seeking a skilled and mission-driven Special Events & Stewardship Manager to lead high-impact events and donor engagement efforts that elevate McAlister’s visibility, deepen community partnerships, and grow our philanthropic revenue.

This role also intersects with McAlister’s contributed and earned income efforts—including the Bingo Hall and Thrift Store—creating rich opportunities for storytelling and engagement. Exposure to these participatory programs, their participants, and donor-facing events helps expand visibility and supports both philanthropic growth and fee-for-service business development.

Benefits for YOU:

• 13 paid annual holidays, including your birthday; 12 paid vacation days, paid sick leave
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness eligibility
• 403(b) Retirement Plan + up to 6% Employer Match
• Health Insurance available the first of the month following 30 days of employment (Sharp)
• EAP

Position Summary

The Special Events & Stewardship Management is responsible for planning, executing, and evaluating McAlister Institute’s fundraising events and donor stewardship activities. This role leads our signature events—including the Miracles of Recovery Luncheon and Walk for Sobriety—as well as events tied to the capital campaign and annual operations. The Manager also supports donor engagement, recognition, and communications strategies that strengthen relationships across McAlister’s philanthropic community.

Key Responsibilities

Special Events (50%)

• Plan, coordinate, and execute mission-aligned fundraising events, conferences, trainings, receptions, and community engagements.
• Identify, solicit, retain and steward event sponsors, underwriters and partners.
• Design and produce high-quality events that reflect McAlister’s mission and meet fundraising goals.
• Manage event logistics, timelines, budgets, vendor relationships, and post-event evaluation.
• Collaborate with internal teams, board members, volunteers, and community partners to deliver effective and engaging events.
• Communicate clearly and professionally with diverse stakeholders, including donors, sponsors, elected officials, and organizational leadership.
• Utilize event planning software, project management tools, and Microsoft Office Suite to organize and track event progress.
• Maintain high standards of productivity despite interruptions; manage multiple deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Oversee safety protocols, crowd management considerations, and emergency procedures for events of varying sizes.
• Exercise sound judgment and independent decision-making, escalating issues when appropriate.
• Train and guide volunteers, ensuring successful event support and donor hospitality.

Stewardship (40%)

• Develop and implement comprehensive stewardship strategies that strengthen donor relationships across all giving levels.
• Produce personalized touches, impact reports, recognition opportunities, and engagement activities for donors, sponsors, foundations, and partners.
• Coordinate donor acknowledgments, recognition programs, and communications across email, mail, phone, and visits.
• Support leadership with tailored cultivation, stewardship plans and specialized reporting for major donors.
• Plan donor-focused events, tours, and meetings that advance engagement and giving.
• Ensure compliance with development policies, including gift acceptance and recognition guidelines.
• Work with internal partners to monitor the use of restricted funds and ensure accurate donor reporting.
• Track all stewardship activity in CRM databases and respond promptly to donor inquiries.
• Manage an annual stewardship and events budget.

Organizational Collaboration (10%)

• Serve as a partner to the Development and Communications Department and agency leadership on the organization’s overall development plan.
• Stay current on trends, tools, and best practices in fundraising to optimize effectiveness and innovation.
• Serve as a team member to help strengthen the organization’s fundraising infrastructure, supporting future initiatives and fostering cross-departmental collaboration.

Requirements:

Required Skills & Experience

• 3–5 years of experience in fundraising, donor relations, event planning, communications, or related nonprofit work.
• Proven track record managing successful fundraising events and donor engagement initiatives.
• Strong writing, editing, and storytelling skills across multiple platforms.
• Excellent relationship-building, interpersonal, and communication skills.
• Proficiency with CRM systems (DonorPerfect or similar) and Microsoft Office Suite.
• Strong organizational and project-management skills with high attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and work efficiently in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.
• Ability to work effectively with diverse populations, including those we serve (those with chronic substance use and/or mental health challenges).
• Exceptional interpersonal skills, written and verbal communication, adaptability, and professionalism.
• Exudes a calm and competent manner, listens to others without interrupting; effectively regulates emotions, especially under stress; remains open to others' ideas and tries new things.
• Proficiency with software and/or equipment (e.g., Microsoft Office applications including Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint; job-related technologies).
• Commitment to McAlister Institute’s mission and values, including a belief in equity, dignity, and recovery for all.
• Must possess a valid and unrestricted California Driver's License, with a good driving record, free of any major infractions.
• Ability to travel across San Diego County and for donor related communications/meetings.
• Ability to pass all pre-employment screening, including references, education verification, a criminal background check with at least one year clear of probation or parole, a drug test, and a negative TB test.

Equal Opportunity Employer:

McAlister Institute is committed to creating a diverse environment and we are proud to be an equal-opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, ancestry, medical condition (cancer and genetic characteristics), genetic information, or denial of medical and family care leave, any other non-job-related factors, and other characteristics protected by local, state, or federal anti-discrimination law covering employment.

Reasonable Accommodations:

McAlister Institute is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to applicants as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA). Qualified individuals with disabilities who need a reasonable accommodation during the application or selection process should contact the jobs@mcalisterinc.org., for more information. Please include your name and position you are applying for.

Work Authorization Requirement: Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of application. McAlister Institute does not participate in visa sponsorship programs, including H1-B visas, and will not provide sponsorship for any employment-based visas.

Pre-Employment: All employment offers are contingent upon successful completion of pre-employment requirements including a criminal background investigation, which involves fingerprinting. (A felony or misdemeanor conviction may disqualify the applicant from McAlister Institute employment as we are subject to County of San Diego contractual hiring requirements). A pre-employment physical examination, and post-offer background check is required. Candidates must have at least one year clear of probation or parole, a drug test, and a negative TB test.

General Information & Considerations:

Placement on the pay range is based on multiple factors including, but not limited to, relevant years of experience and qualifications.

Current McAlister Institute employees may receive priority consideration for positions when they meet essential qualifications.

To Staffing and Recruiting Agencies: We do not solicit staffing or agency contacts for our recruitment needs. Our careers site is only for individuals seeking a job at McAlister. Staffing and recruiting agencies and individuals being represented by an agency are not authorized to use this site or to submit profiles, applications or resumes. Any such submissions will be considered unsolicited and will be ignored to prioritize our own process. We are sure you do amazing work and can give us data to support your sell. We, however, are a non-profit, and are mindful agents of our resources. We do not accept unsolicited resumes or applications from agencies. Please do not forward resumes to us, or email us individually. McAlister Institute is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes/applications.