Special Events Senior Manager

Department: Development

Schedule: Full-time, Exempt

Reports To: Senior Director of Development

Job Grade: 5

About ICP

The International Center of Photography (ICP) is the world’s leading institution dedicated to photography and visual culture. Through our exhibitions, education, public programs, and community outreach, we offer an open forum for dialogue about the power of the image. Since our founding in 1974, we have presented more than 700 exhibitions and offered thousands of classes. Our integrated center on the Lower East Side unites our school and museum in one space, serving as a cultural anchor of Essex Crossing.

Position Summary

The Special Events Senior Manager leads the strategy, planning, and execution of ICP’s institutional special events, donor cultivation experiences, and select revenue-generating partnerships and rentals. This role serves as the primary project lead for ICP’s signature fundraising and donor-facing events, including the Infinity Awards, Spotlights Luncheon, and other high-profile institutional initiatives.
Working closely with Development leadership, trustees, vendors, sponsors, and cross-functional internal teams, this position plays a key role in advancing ICP’s fundraising, stewardship, and institutional visibility goals. The role requires strong project management skills, operational leadership, sound judgment, and the ability to manage multiple high-profile priorities in a fast-paced environment.
This position collaborates closely with colleagues across Development, Marketing & Communications, Curatorial, Education, Visitor Experience, Facilities, Finance, and external partners to deliver exceptional donor and guest experiences aligned with ICP’s mission and strategic priorities.

Key Responsibilities & Competencies

Special Events & Donor Engagement

• Lead planning and execution of ICP’s signature special events, including the Infinity Awards, Spotlights Luncheon, and other major fundraising initiatives
• Partner with Development leadership on fundraising strategy, sponsorship engagement, donor cultivation, and stewardship through events
• Manage event timelines, budgets, vendors, logistics, run of show documents, and on-site execution and run-of-show calls
• Oversee event communications, guest lists, seating, invitations, acknowledgements, and VIP engagement
• Manage relationships with co-chairs, trustees, sponsors, donors, honorees, host committees, and external partners
• Track event revenue, participation, sponsorship fulfillment, and post-event reporting
• Manage auction vendors, fundraising components, volunteers, and related event initiatives as applicable

Donor & Institutional Events

• Lead planning and execution of exhibition openings, donor cultivation events, and institutional gatherings throughout the year
• Manage vendors, event logistics, timelines, and on-site coordination
• Partner with Curatorial, Public Programs, Education, Marketing, and Visitor Experience teams to support programming and guest experience
• Track attendance, engagement, and post-event follow-up opportunities to support donor cultivation and institutional goals

Sponsorships & External Partnerships

• Support development and fulfillment of corporate sponsorship opportunities and event partnerships
• Maintain strong relationships with sponsors, vendors, and external stakeholders
• Ensure sponsor benefits and recognition are executed accurately and professionally
• Space Rentals & Operational Coordination
• Support planning and execution of select space rental events in coordination with Facilities, Visitor Experience, and external clients
• Help maintain and improve rentals workflows, operational standards, and cross-department coordination practices
• Identify opportunities to improve event systems, planning processes, and operational efficiencies

Additional Responsibilities

• Maintain accurate event, donor, sponsor, and vendor records within Raiser's Edge and related systems
• Monitor industry trends and best practices related to fundraising events, donor engagement, and cultural institution programming
• Build collaborative relationships across departments and contribute positively to team culture
• Support additional Development initiatives and institutional priorities as needed

Core Competencies

• Strong project management and organizational skills with exceptional attention to detail
• Ability to manage multiple high-priority projects and stakeholders simultaneously
• Strong relationship-building and interpersonal communication skills
• Ability to navigate evolving priorities and fast-paced event environments with professionalism and sound judgment
• Collaborative, solutions-oriented approach to cross-functional work
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Commitment to delivering high-quality donor and guest experiences
• Comfort working independently while balancing strategic and operational responsibilities