ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION
Founded 25 years ago in honor of Pete Bossow, For Pete’s Sake Cancer Respite Foundation has grown into a nationally recognized organization with a dedicated 15 person staff, engaged Board leadership, and three core programs: the Travel Respite Experience, the Staycation Respite Experience, and Respite Reinforced, which supports families following respite participation.
For Pete’s Sake enables cancer patients and their loved ones to strengthen, deepen and unify their relationships by creating unforgettable and lasting Respite Experiences. Working with oncology professionals at over 100 hospitals and cancer centers, FPS provides transformative Respite Experiences to cancer patients (ages 21-55), their caregivers and their children and offers our families emotional support that assists them as their journey with cancer continues. Our respite program helps families recognize it is love, not cancer, that defines them. For more information on FPS, please visit https://fpsrespite.org/.
For Pete’s Sake is entering a transformative phase of growth through Vision 2030, an ambitious strategic initiative centered on the development of Pete’s Dream—the nation’s first-of-its-kind cancer respite center. Supported by the organization’s $32 million campaign, Respite Transformed: Pete’s Vision Realized at Woodloch, the project will dramatically expand access to Respite Experiences from approximately 700 individuals served annually today to more than 4,000 each year when the center reaches full occupancy. The campaign includes $25 million for the design, construction, and launch of the cancer respite center and $7 million to strengthen endowment resources that will ensure the long-term sustainability and accessibility of respite programming. With construction funding nearly complete, less than $3 million remains to be raised toward the capital portion of the campaign, while approximately $4 million remains to achieve the endowment goal. Additional information about the campaign can be found at www.petesdream.org.
As the organization prepares to bring Pete’s Dream online, its annual operating budget is expected to grow from approximately $2–3 million today to nearly $12 million over the next six years, reflecting the expanded scale and impact of its mission and the significant increase in families served.
ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY
For Pete’s Sake Cancer Respite Foundation (FPS) seeks a passionate, creative and collaborative individual to serve as its next Senior Events Manager. This is an exceptional opportunity for an experienced fundraising events professional to play a leadership role in a highly respected nonprofit organization which is undergoing a period of transformational growth.
The Senior Events Manager is a key member of the Events Team, responsible for leading, planning, executing, and evaluating signature fundraising events each year that contribute to the team’s overall goal of raising $1M in signature event revenue. This role also provides support for community events and other Events Team-coordinated activities that collectively raise $250K annually.
The Senior Events Manager will ensure that all events reflect For Pete’s Sake Cancer Respite Foundation’s (FPS) mission and deliver exceptional experiences for attendees, volunteers, and supporters. This role contributes to event strategy and planning, manages production logistics, and cultivates key stakeholder relationships while collaborating closely with the Marketing & Communications, Advancement, and Finance teams. In addition to strong leadership and creativity skills, this position necessitates the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
The Senior Events Manager reports to the Chief Engagement Officer, and has two (2) direct reports:
Special Events Manager – Community Fundraising
Special Events Manager – Peer to Peer
This is an exceptional opportunity for a relationship-driven, experienced events manager who thrives in entrepreneurial, mission-centered environments and is energized by the opportunity to help scale events for a growing organization with national aspirations.
POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES
Lead Signature Events
Oversee all planning, logistics, and execution of assigned signature events for FPS (e.g. annual gala, golf tournament)
Partner with advancement team to identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward corporate sponsors in support of annual revenue goals.
Manage vendor relationships, budgets, timelines, and contracts.
Serve as the key onsite FPS point person for assigned events.
Build and lead volunteer committees; manage meetings, task delegation, and follow-through.
Work closely with the advancement team to ensure compliance with fundraising best practices and organizational standards.
Direction, Support & Collaboration
Support FPS community events by engaging with volunteers and identifying new and creative ways to engage community participation and donations.
Provide support to FPS team members leading other community and signature events including onsite presence and logistical coordination as needed to ensure consistency of approach.
Collaborate with Marketing & Communications to promote events across print, digital, and social channels.
Ensure appropriate donor and sponsor recognition pre-, during, and post-events.
Donor and Sponsor Engagement
Support stewardship of corporate and individual donors in partnership with the advancement team.
Help fulfill sponsorship deliverables and assist in the creation of proposals, reports, and thank-you communications.
Event Analysis & Reporting
Track and report on key performance indicators (KPIs) for events, including financial outcomes, attendance, and donor engagement.
Reconcile event revenue and expenses with finance and data teams; ensure proper coding in event software (Classy), auction platform and the FPS CRM (Blackbaud NXT).
Maintain detailed records of sponsors, attendees, vendors, volunteers, and other key stakeholders in the FPS CRM.
Team Leadership
Supervise, coach, and develop two Events Team professionals.
Establish goals, priorities, and accountability measures.
Foster collaboration and professional growth.
Cross-Functional Support
Work closely with staff across FPS departments to ensure seamless planning and execution of events.
Contribute to broader organizational initiatives as needed.
Collaborate with Director of Strategic Partnerships and Director of Major Gifts in identifying sponsorship opportunities.
PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS
While no candidate will possess every desired qualification, FPS seeks an accomplished and mission-driven leader with many of the following attributes for this critical position.
8-10 years of experience in nonprofit or event management
Experience in securing sponsorships for fundraising events
Strong organizational and project management skills with a focus on details and deadlines
Excellent communications skills, both written and verbal
Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously in a fast-paced environment
Demonstrated success leading large-scale fundraising events
Experience recruiting, managing, and motivating volunteer committees and event leadership teams.
Comfort operating in a growing, entrepreneurial organization and helping to scale programs and events to support increasing organizational impact
Proficient in Microsoft Office; experience with Blackbaud NXT and Classy preferred
Familiarity with auction and registration platforms
Willingness to work evenings, weekends and travel as required
Positive, team-oriented mindset with a strong work ethic
Passion for the mission of For Pete’s Sake Cancer Respite Foundation
COMPENSATION & BENEFITS
This is a full-time, exempt role at For Pete’s Sake Cancer Respite Foundation located in Plymouth Meeting, Pennsylvania. FPS values collaboration and team connection and currently operates within a hybrid work model, with approximately three days per week onsite and two days remote. Occasional evening/weekend work and regional travel required for events and donor engagements.
Salary range: $80,000–$90,000, commensurate with experience and qualifications
FPS offers a comprehensive benefits package including:
Fully covered for individual medical, dental, vision, flexible spending account (family coverage also available)
Short-term disability, long-term disability and life insurance
403(b) plan with employer matching 100% up to 5% of employee contribution; match is fully vested from start of enrollment
Up to 25 days of PTO per year (depending on length of service)
20 company paid holidays, including holiday break
Cell phone stipend
Bonus structure for hitting organizational goals
TO APPLY
For Pete’s Sake Cancer Respite Foundation has retained Dunleavy & Associates as its partner for this search. In order to be considered, please submit your resume or CV and a cover letter here.
EEO/AAP Statement
FPS is an equal opportunity employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind. The organization is committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and applicants, regardless of race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability, genetics, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by law.
All offers of employment are subject to and contingent upon satisfactory completion of background checks as determined by FPS.