Jobs at Jewish Federation of Detroit
Director, Events and Special Projects
Location: Bloomfield Hills, MI
Type: Full Time
Min. Experience: Experienced
About the Jewish Federation of Detroit:
As the primary instrument of Jewish philanthropy and engagement in the Detroit area, we are a community-driven organization committed to taking care of the needs of the Jewish people and building a vibrant Jewish future, in metropolitan Detroit, in Israel and around the world.
About the Director, Events and Special Projects Position:
The Director of Events and Special Projects leads the Events and Special Projects Department (ESP) to provide conceptual, strategic and logistic support to events and experiential programs across all areas within the Federation. The core objective of the ESP Dpt. is to elevate the impact of events and programs, creating experiences that engage our audience, enhance campaign participation and strengthen relationships with Federation. The ESP Dpt. serves as the organization’s internal center of excellence for event planning, and partners with departments in a variety of levels, ranging from consultation and support to full event management, based upon the unique needs of each program.
Who are we looking for?
• A highly creative and entrepreneurial individual who is driven to succeed
• A team-player who can work well with a passionate group of professionals, lay leaders and vendors
• A self-starter who can manage a variety of tasks and details while serving a big-picture goal
• A dynamic and innovative programmer who can plan and oversee a slate of events and programs
Primary responsibilities:
As the primary instrument of Jewish philanthropy and engagement in the Detroit area, we are a community-driven organization committed to taking care of the needs of the Jewish people and building a vibrant Jewish future, in metropolitan Detroit, in Israel and around the world.
About the Director, Events and Special Projects Position:
The Director of Events and Special Projects leads the Events and Special Projects Department (ESP) to provide conceptual, strategic and logistic support to events and experiential programs across all areas within the Federation. The core objective of the ESP Dpt. is to elevate the impact of events and programs, creating experiences that engage our audience, enhance campaign participation and strengthen relationships with Federation. The ESP Dpt. serves as the organization’s internal center of excellence for event planning, and partners with departments in a variety of levels, ranging from consultation and support to full event management, based upon the unique needs of each program.
Who are we looking for?
• A highly creative and entrepreneurial individual who is driven to succeed
• A team-player who can work well with a passionate group of professionals, lay leaders and vendors
• A self-starter who can manage a variety of tasks and details while serving a big-picture goal
• A dynamic and innovative programmer who can plan and oversee a slate of events and programs
Primary responsibilities:
- Event development, management and assessment:
- Event Creation and Development: Partner with department staff to design and execute innovative, high‑quality programs and events that meaningfully engage and connect donors and community members, balancing creativity with thoughtful stewardship of resources.
- Event Strategy: Collaborate with departmental leaders to shape and implement an integrated event strategy that advances Federation goals and campaign objectives, ensuring cohesion across offerings and awareness of the wider community’s event ecosystem
- Event Intake and Assessment: work with lead staff to evaluate event and program needs, providing initial strategic and tactical insight and evaluating areas of support needed for success.
- Event Management and Support: As needed, offer a range of event support to department staff including recommendations and resourcing, vendor relations and on-site event assistance.
- Post-event analysis: Leads post-mortem sessions and reviews feedback surveys to assess results. Manages learnings to improve future events.
- Department and team management:
- Create and oversee department budget and specific event budgets
- Work with Federation department leads to manage insurance, marketing timelines, etc.
- Supervision of Associate/Senior Associate including portfolio management and direction, serve as a leader and mentor to program staff
- Supervises event support staff, contractors and vendors as needed.
- Management of Federation events calendar
- Develop event processes and protocols that create efficiency, consistency and excellence in event planning organization-wide
- Vendor and Resources Management: With other department professionals, oversee the JFMD database of event vendors and other key resources.
- Event Knowledge Base Management: Manage a centralized base of best-practices, developing and maintaining documentations such as event check-lists, run-of-show templates, budget templates, post-event surveys, etc.
- Volunteer Relationship Management: Partner with volunteer leaders across the organization, build and maintain relationships that enhance engagement and campaign participation.
- Participation in Federation’s Annual Campaign through telethons, individual conversations or other
- Bachelor’s Degree
- Prior event planning experience preferred
- Strong team player
- Strong interpersonal, communication and organizational skills
- Strong knowledge of local venues, vendors, and the regional event landscape, with the ability to identify unique spaces that enhance the guest experience.
- An ability to handle multiple projects efficiently and effectively
- Must be able to work some evenings and some weekends
- Familiarity with Jewish culture and the Jewish community
