IDEA Public Schools Careers

Sponsorship and Events Manager

Mission:

The Sponsorship and Events Manager plays a vital role in advancing IDEA Public Schools’ donor engagement and fundraising strategy through the seamless execution of high-impact events and active management of IDEA’s national sponsorship portfolio under $10K.

Reporting to the Director of Donor Experience, this role manages the planning, coordination, and on-site execution of IDEA’s fundraising and stewardship events—including the Annual Gala, College Signing Day VIP receptions, and other donor experience programs throughout the year. The Manager oversees event logistics, vendor coordination, and guest experience operations while ensuring every event reflects IDEA’s brand, mission, and culture of gratitude.

In partnership with the Director of Donor Experience and broader fundraising team, the Manager cultivates and stewards corporate and individual sponsors, secures auction and raffle contributions, and supports the engagement of IDEA’s National Event Committee. This role is both operational and revenue-generating—ensuring that IDEA’s events deliver an exceptional donor experience and meet their fundraising goals with excellence, creativity, and professionalism.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

None

Location:

This is a full-time position based in Texas, with preference given to candidates who live in Austin, El Paso, Houston, Permian Basin (Midland/Odessa), Rio Grande Valley, San Antonio, and Tarrant County (Fort Worth), or who are willing to relocate.

Travel Expectations:    

The ideal candidate is expected to attend donor engagement events across the state of Texas to support on program execution and logistics.  Approximately, 20–25% annually, with higher volume during peak fundraising periods (e.g., College Signing Day, Annual Gala, and other donor engagement events).

What You’ll Do – Accountabilities

Essential Duties:

·          Lead the planning, coordination, and on-site execution of IDEA’s national and regional fundraising and stewardship events, including the Annual Gala, College Signing Day VIP receptions, and other donor experience programs.

·          Manage event logistics, vendor relationships, contracts, timelines, and run-of-show execution to ensure events are delivered seamlessly and align with IDEA’s brand and donor experience standards.

·          Oversee event data and systems, including Salesforce and event management platforms, to ensure accurate tracking of guest lists, seating, registration, reconciliation, and post-event reporting.

·          Manage and grow a portfolio of national sponsorships under $10K by cultivating relationships, securing renewals and upgrades, and ensuring timely fulfillment of sponsor benefits.

·          Identify, solicit, and secure new sponsorships, auction items, and raffle contributions that support IDEA’s fundraising goals and enhance donor engagement at national events.

·            Lead the planning and execution of IDEA’s Annual Gala auction and raffle, including item procurement, valuation tracking, donor stewardship, and revenue performance.

·          Collaborate cross-functionally with the Director of Donor Experience, Major Gift Officers, Finance, and Operations to ensure accurate gift processing, budget reconciliation, ROI tracking, and consistent sponsor stewardship.

Additional Duties and Responsibilities:

In addition to the essential duties outlined above, the Manager of Sponsorships and Events supports continuous improvement of IDEA’s event and sponsorship processes by identifying efficiencies, contributing to planning and forecasting, and supporting special donor engagement initiatives as needed. This role may also assist with cross-departmental coordination, leadership briefings, and post-event analysis to inform future strategy, enhance donor experience, and strengthen the overall effectiveness of IDEA’s fundraising events and sponsorship programs.

Knowledge and Skills – Competencies

• Make Strategic Decisions: This team member makes informed decisions by gathering reliable information, asking clarifying questions, and evaluating multiple options. They thoughtfully align their choices with team objectives, current responsibilities, and the broader mission of the organization.

• Manage Work and Teams: This team member sets clear, measurable goals and regularly reflects on progress, adjusting actions as needed. They prioritize work aligned with their goals using a task management system and consistently meet deadlines through effective time management.

• Grow Self and Others: This team member demonstrates self-awareness by actively seeking and thoughtfully responding to feedback with curiosity and a growth mindset. They identify development areas, implement feedback when appropriate, and pursue opportunities to build their knowledge and skills.

• Build a Culture of Trust:  This team member proactively builds strong personal and professional relationships with individual stakeholders and regularly seeks feedback to improve their work experience. They create a supportive environment where others feel safe to take risks and learn from mistakes without fear of retribution.

• Communicate Deliberately: This team member communicates clearly and professionally, delivering concise messages tailored to their audience. They actively listen, engage in dialogue by asking and clarifying questions, and follow up to ensure shared understanding in both individual and group settings.

Additional Skills:

·          Proven success managing event logistics and sponsorship programs with measurable revenue results.

·          Demonstrated ability to cultivate and steward donors, sponsors, and partners—building authentic relationships that inspire continued giving.

·          Experience securing and managing corporate and individual sponsorships, including benefit fulfillment, acknowledgment, and renewal.

·          Strong project management skills with the ability to manage multiple events, priorities, and timelines simultaneously.

·          Exceptional organizational and problem-solving skills; thrives in dynamic, deadline-driven environments.

·          Proficiency using CRM systems (Salesforce preferred) and event management platforms to track guests, gifts, and ROI metrics.

·          Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to represent IDEA’s mission and values in donor-facing settings.

·          Collaborative mindset with the ability to partner effectively across departments (Finance, Communications, Operations) and with volunteers or event committees.

·          Creative eye for event design and donor experience details—ensuring all aspects of IDEA events reflect brand alignment and a culture of gratitude.

·          Strong personal alignment with IDEA’s mission and belief in the potential of all children to succeed in college and life.

·          Willingness to work a flexible schedule, including occasional evenings and weekends during peak fundraising periods; must be comfortable working independently while traveling

Required Education and Experience:

·          Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and directly relevant experience in fundraising, event management, or development.

·          3–5 years of progressive experience in fundraising and event management

Preferred Education and Experience:

·          CFRE/CFRM

Physical Requirements:

·          Ability to sit or stand for extended periods of time while working at a computer, attending meetings, or supporting on-site donor engagement and fundraising events.

·          Ability to travel periodically and move throughout event venues, including walking, standing, and navigating indoor and outdoor spaces during event setup, execution, and breakdown.

·          Ability to lift, carry, or move light to moderate materials (up to approximately 25 pounds), such as event supplies, signage, auction materials, or presentation equipment.

What We Offer:

Compensation & Benefits:

Salaries for people entering this role typically fall between $68,800 and $79,900, commensurate with relevant experience and qualifications and in alignment with internal equity. This role is also eligible for performance pay based on organizational performance and goal attainment.

Additionally, we offer medical, dental, and vision plans, disability, life insurance, parenting benefits, flexible spending account options, generous vacation time, referral bonuses, professional development, and a 403(b) plan. You can find more information about our benefits at https://ideapublicschools.org/careers/benefits/.

* IDEA may offer a relocation stipend to defray the cost of moving for this role, if applicable.

Application process:

Submit your application online through Jobvite. Please note that applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis until the position is filled. Applicants are encouraged to apply as early as possible.

Learn more about IDEA

At IDEA the Staff Experience Team uses our Core Values to promote human connection and a culture of integrity, respect, and belonging for all Team and Family members.  Learn more about our Commitment to Core Values here: https://ideapublicschools.org/our-story/#core-values