November 16, 2024

Montana State University

Bozeman

Fundraising & Special Events Manager

Museum of the Rockies (MOR) is Montana’s most visited museum. In 2023, the museum received over 223,000 general visitors and served thousands of additional visitors through school, youth, and public programs. MOR is a college-level division of Montana State University, an independent nonprofit organization, a Smithsonian Affiliate, an accredited AAM museum, and a repository for state and federal fossils. The interdisciplinary museum has one of the finest collections of paleontology in the world and a significant cultural collection from the Northern Rocky Mountain region. Located on a 34-acre museum site, it includes a 120,000-square-foot-facility, the state-of-the-art Taylor Planetarium, the 220 seat Hager Auditorium, Martin Children’s Discovery Center, and Living History Farm, along with an off-site 553-acre paleontology preserve.

Salary & Benefits: MOR pays a competitive salary with an exceptional benefits package (Package includes: health, dental, and life insurance along with an employer matching retirement plan and the possibility for tuition reduction for staff and dependents).

Application: A 1-page cover letter should be submitted with the required application materials that demonstrates the candidate’s ability to meet the listed minimum qualifications and any applicable preferred qualifications.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Manager works as part of a dedicated team within the Development & Membership Department at Museum of the Rockies and reports to the Director of Development & Membership.
In collaboration with the department’s director and other staff, the Manager establishes and oversees event budgets to meet or exceed fundraising goals.
Responsible for successfully planning and implementing an annual schedule of events that support Museum of the Rockies’ diverse mission, including:
- Fundraising events of various sizes,
- Small donor and member cultivation events,
- Other VIP events,
- Weddings as part of the museum’s facility rental program,
- And support of member and interdepartmental events.
Oversees fundraising event logistics, timelines, operation memos, and communications with vendors, staff, volunteers, and participants to ensure the success of programs.
Responsible for tracking fundraising event expenses and revenue and ensuring timely payments to vendors and fulfillment of sponsor pledges.
Working with the development team, execute an event sponsorship and solicitation strategy and maintain tracking of solicitation levels, benefits, response, and fulfillment.
Recruits and sets expectations for volunteer involvement on event committees, developing agendas, and maintaining clear communications with committee members and staff.
Works with University and County officials, including facilities and health officials when appropriate.
Collaborates with Marketing Department to deploy timely messaging to museum members and general public.
Manages/implements online ticketing module and database to successfully run programs and record donor or participant information as needed.
Maintains the highest level of customer service to ensure that event participants, donors, and members have a remarkable experience.
Conducts financial reporting and evaluation after event concludes and ensures that each event meets or exceeds revenue goals.
Other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills

Sales, fundraising, or equivalent experience working with donors or clients.

Experience managing complex events.

Experience with developing and working within an event budget.

Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel, and Power Point.

B.A. or equivalent amount of education and/or experience.

Preferred Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills

Experience successfully planning a variety of small- and large-scale events.

Experience with or interest in learning event sponsorship solicitations.

Nonprofit experience.

Some supervisory experience with staff and/or volunteers.

The Successful Candidate Will

Passion and an understanding of Museum of the Rockies’ mission.
Positive, creative, enthusiastic self-starter with strong eye for details and organizational skills.
Flexibility and desire to solve problems creatively, while staying calm under pressure.
Excellent communication skills, resourcefulness, and adaptability.
Dedicated to internal and external customer service.
Kind, team player with a sense of humor and a can-do spirit.

Position Special Requirements/Additional Information

This job description should not be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements, but a general description of the job. Nothing contained herein restricts Montana State University’s rights to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

Physical Demands

Must be available to work some weekends and evenings.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily with or without reasonable accommodations. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

This position has supervisory duties?

Yes

Posting Detail Information

Number of Vacancies

Desired Start Date

Upon completion of a successful search.

Position End Date (if temporary)

Open Date

Close Date

Applications will be:

Screening of applications will begin on November 8, 2024; however, applications will continue to be accepted until an adequate applicant pool has been established.

Special Instructions

EEO Statement

Montana State University is an equal opportunity employer. MSU does not discriminate against any applicant on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, political ideas, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, national origin, physical or mental disability, or any other protected class status in violation of any applicable law.

In compliance with the Montana Veteran’s Employment Preference Act, MSU provides preference in employment to veterans, disabled veterans, and certain eligible relatives of veterans. To claim veteran’s preference, please complete the veteran’s preference information located in the Demographics section of your profile.