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Job Bank
Events Manager
Red Bank, NJ
The Count Basie Center for the Arts
Full Time
Posted July 16, 2026
The Count Basie Center for the Arts, located in the vibrant downtown district of Red Bank, New Jersey, seeks a highly organized, creative, and relationship-driven Events Manager to join our development team.
Reporting to the Senior Director of Development, this role is responsible for the strategic planning, execution, and evaluation of fundraising and donor engagement events that advance the Basie Center’s mission. As a key member of the Development team, the Events Manager works collaboratively across departments, with Board and committee members, donors, sponsors, vendors, and community partners to create exceptional events and strengthen philanthropic support.
Reporting to the Senior Director of Development, this role is responsible for the strategic planning, execution, and evaluation of fundraising and donor engagement events that advance the Basie Center’s mission. As a key member of the Development team, the Events Manager works collaboratively across departments, with Board and committee members, donors, sponsors, vendors, and community partners to create exceptional events and strengthen philanthropic support.
Duties and Responsibilities
Founded in 1926, The Count Basie Center for the Arts is New Jersey’s premier center for the cultural arts, with a mission to Inspire, Educate and Entertain through its variety of live events, opportunities in arts education and community engagement. Every year, tens of thousands of students and more than a quarter million eventgoers experience Count Basie Center programming.Over the last decade, the Basie Center organization has grown to include two performances spaces (the historic Hackensack Meridian Health Theatre and The Vogel), Basie Center Cinemas, community theatre company Phoenix Productions, and the Grunin Arts & Education Building, home to all Turner Academy of the Arts programming, including the Count Basie Center Conservatory of Music.
The Count Basie Center embraces and amplifies positive change through diversity and inclusion — from our offerings onstage, to our work in the community and our efforts to recruit the best possible workforce for our nonprofit organization.
Key Responsibilities:
Event Strategy & Execution
• Plan, manage, and execute all development, fundraising, and special events from concept to completion, including but not limited to the Annual Gala, Chairman’s Circle event, membership events, cultivation events, and special events such as the Basie Awards Dinner.
• Develop and manage event timelines, budgets, vendor relationships, logistics, and on-site execution.
• Coordinate event set-up, staffing, volunteers, and post-event breakdown.
Fundraising & Donor Engagement
• Support and guide event-based fundraising strategies, including donor outreach, sponsorships, underwriting opportunities, auctions, and in-kind contributions.
• Cultivate and steward relationships with donors, sponsors, Board members, event chairs, and volunteers.
• Conduct donor research to identify prospects and tailor engagement strategies accordingly.
• Track pledges, sponsorship commitments, and post-event follow-ups to ensure fulfillment.
Collaboration & Communications
• Partner with the Marketing team to develop event collateral, invitations, digital assets, signage, and sponsor recognition materials.
• Work closely with Development staff, Board members, and volunteer committees to build prospect lists and maximize event success.
• Assist in brainstorming and creating new methods to raise funds and implement event plans and concepts for our organization.
Analysis & Reporting
• Analyze event performance, including revenue, expenses, attendance, and donor engagement.
• Prepare post-event reports with insights and recommendations for improvement.
• Maintain accurate donor and event records in the Raiser’s Edge database.
Community & Relationship Building
• Attend Basie Center performances, donor receptions, community events, and networking opportunities to deepen relationships.
• Collaborate with external organizations and community partners to enhance fundraising and visibility.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
Requirements
• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent professional experience in development event planning required.• 2-5 years’ experience in not-for-profit fundraising.
• Exemplary communication, writing and networking skills.
• Willingness to be hands-on in a role that is demanding and requires a high level of energy and professionalism.
• Ability to work within a team of development professionals and support each other to meet and exceed goals.
• Excellent organizational abilities and attention to detail.
• Adaptability and flexibility.
• Ability to prioritize workload and multi-task to complete assignments with many deadlines and competing priorities.
• Knowledge of CRM data management required, Raiser’s Edge experience preferred.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office required.
• The physical requirements of this role include the ability to stand and move throughout event spaces for extended periods and occasionally lift or carry up to 25 pounds, with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Ability and willingness to work a flexible schedule, including evenings and weekends, to support scheduled events, donor engagement activities, performances, and other development-related needs.
How To Apply
This is a full-time, exempt position and eligible for The Basie’s competitive benefits package that includes paid time off (personal, sick and vacation), insurance (health, dental, vision, life, long and short-term disability) and a 401(k)-retirement plan including company match. This position operates on a hybrid schedule that allows for remote work 2 days a week. The annual salary range is $57,000-$67,000.
Interested candidates should apply on The Basie website at https://thebasie.org/jobs/.No phone calls please.
Deadline: Aug 21, 2026
