ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Gala Chair Jobs (NOW HIRING)

The Buckley School

$80K - $90K/yr

... chairs in the planning and execution for all PA-sponsored events, including The Fair, Gala, the Fall Bash, Nearly New Uniform program, and others. • Recruit, train and support volunteers and ...

The Buckley School

Work with the PA leadership and event chairs in the planning and execution for all PA-sponsored events, including The Fair, Gala, the Fall Bash, Nearly New Uniform program, and others. Recruit, train ...

The Buckley School

$80K - $90K/yr

... chairs in the planning and execution for all PA-sponsored events, including The Fair, Gala, the Fall Bash, Nearly New Uniform program, and others. ● Recruit, train and support volunteers and ...

CJE SeniorLife

Test Job

Chicago, IL

$5 - $10/hr

Celebrate CJE Gala Work with Senior Systems Analyst, Celebrate CJE Ad Book co-chairs and Board members to send solicitation emails for the procurement of ads and perform all follow-up functions ...

BBJ La Tavola

Customer Service Specialist

Nashville, TN

$16.50 - $21.75/hr

... chair décor, and set & strike production. We take great pride in our passion for design and trends ... Whether a private dinner for two or a gala for thousands, we value each opportunity to bring beauty ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsGala Chair Jobs

Gala Chair information

What is a Met Gala chair?

A Met Gala chair is a leadership role responsible for overseeing the planning, organization, and execution of the annual fundraising event for the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute. The chair often works with a committee, manages logistics, and helps secure sponsorships and donations to ensure the event's success.

What are Gala Chairs?

Gala Chairs are individuals responsible for leading and organizing fundraising galas or special events, typically for nonprofit organizations. They oversee event planning, coordinate committees, manage budgets, and ensure the event achieves its fundraising and social goals. Gala Chairs often work closely with staff, volunteers, sponsors, and vendors, and play a key role in attracting guests and donors. Their leadership and organizational skills are critical to the success of the event.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Gala Chair, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Gala Chair, you need strong event planning experience, organizational skills, and a background in fundraising or nonprofit management. Familiarity with event management software, donor databases, and budgeting tools is typically required. Excellent leadership, communication, and relationship-building abilities are crucial for coordinating teams and engaging sponsors or donors. These competencies ensure that the event runs smoothly, meets fundraising goals, and creates a positive experience for all stakeholders.

What are some common challenges faced by a Gala Chair when coordinating large-scale fundraising events?

As a Gala Chair, one of the main challenges is managing multiple stakeholders, including sponsors, vendors, volunteers, and committee members, to ensure seamless event execution. Balancing the event’s fundraising goals with providing an engaging guest experience can also be complex, requiring careful budgeting and creative programming. Additionally, unexpected issues—like last-minute cancellations or technical difficulties—require quick problem-solving and adaptability. Success often depends on strong organizational skills, effective delegation, and clear communication across all involved parties.

What is the role of a gala chair?

A gala chair is responsible for leading the planning and execution of a fundraising or special event, overseeing committees, managing budgets, and ensuring the event's success. They coordinate logistics, secure sponsorships, and work closely with stakeholders to meet fundraising goals and create a memorable experience.

What does it mean to co-chair a gala?

A Gala Chair is a leadership role responsible for overseeing the planning and execution of a fundraising or special event. Co-chairing a gala involves sharing these responsibilities with another leader, collaborating on event organization, fundraising goals, and ensuring the event's success.

What is the difference between Gala Chair vs Gala Event Coordinator?

AspectGala ChairGala Event Coordinator
Primary RoleLeading and overseeing the entire gala event, including planning, fundraising, and stakeholder engagement.Managing the logistical details of the gala, coordinating vendors, and ensuring event execution.
Required CredentialsExperience in event planning, fundraising, or nonprofit leadership; often a volunteer or board member.Event planning experience, organizational skills, and vendor management.
Work EnvironmentHigh-level meetings, strategic planning sessions, and community engagement.On-site event management, vendor coordination, and logistical setup.

The Gala Chair typically holds a leadership role, focusing on strategy and stakeholder relationships, while the Gala Event Coordinator handles the day-to-day logistics and execution of the event. Both roles require event planning experience but differ in scope and responsibilities.

What do you do at a gala event?

A Gala Chair is responsible for planning and overseeing the organization of a gala event, including coordinating vendors, managing budgets, and ensuring the event runs smoothly. They often work with a team, handle logistics, and may attend to guest relations to ensure the success of the event.
More about Gala Chair jobs
What job categories do people searching Gala Chair jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Gala Chair jobs are:
Gala Chair jobs near you
Infographic showing various Gala Chair job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% Locum Tenens, 30% As Needed, 49% Full Time, 11% Part Time, 6% Contract, and 2% Summer. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution.
Gala Director

Gala Director

The Center for Early Education

West Hollywood, CA • On-site

$100K - $120K/yr

Full-time

This job post has expired today. Applications are no longer accepted.

Job description

SUMMARY: Under the supervision of the Director of Advancement, implement the annual gala program, with specific responsibility for Gala Fundraising, and assist with other strategic departmental fundraising campaign efforts. A seasoned event planner with extensive experience managing large non-profit fundraisers, hosting over 700 guests for cocktails, dinner, dancing, and involving dynamic programming, including silent and live auctions and entertainment. Experience working with 50+ volunteers and managing marketing, communication, software, and party planning is essential.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.
  • Oversee all aspects of the annual Gala Auction each fiscal year, grossing over $2M per year and contributing significantly to the school's annual budget.
  • Cultivate and participate in the enlistment of co-chairs and volunteers for Gala committees with responsibilities including item solicitation, underwriting, computer input, advertising, donor sponsorship, and party planning.
  • Oversee weekly management and workflow of co-chairs and volunteers for each committee's projects.
  • Maintain and enhance the success of the silent and live auctions, supporting co-chairs in conceptualization and implementation.
  • Support volunteers in processing auction items and maintaining the gala database.
  • Guide and support the co-chairs and party committee in conceptualizing and executing the party.
  • Work closely with venue staff and vendors, including caterer, AV and lighting, entertainers, and producers.
  • Oversee technology logistics related to data processing of donor items and inventory, and guest lists using various software platforms
  • Manage inventory processing for catalog creation, editing, and conversion.
  • Manage tribute book ad sales, and the creation and distribution of tribute books.
  • Manage mobile bidding software platform and use.
  • Work with the Director of Communications to manage the gala website, communications, and social media presence.
  • Oversee concept, content, and management of gala promotional films and campaigns.
  • Oversee transfer of data related to ticket purchases, donations, and other types of gift processing between platforms by the Database Manager.
  • Finalize post-event data cleanup to ensure proper reconciliation of all donations and ticket purchases.
  • Manage gala data analytics.
  • Manage every aspect of the event from hands-on tasks of volunteer coordination to management of all event technology in cooperation with the venue and the IT team.
  • Review all contracts, secure insurance paperwork from vendors, manage event budget, and account for all post-event statistical data and reporting.
  • Coordinate pick-up of items by purchasers within two weeks of the event.
  • Manage all post-event details, including working with the Business Office to perform reconciliation of vendor and purchaser payments, curating the annual report gala list, and reorganizing the Parent Association Room.
  • Participate in the annual budgeting cycle.
  • Recognize, acknowledge, and steward gala volunteers
  • Contribute to Advancement Department meetings on the strategy and implementation of ongoing fundraising programs.
  • Communicate respectfully, clearly, and honestly in verbal, electronic, and written form with parents, administrators, and colleagues, and maintain a sensitive, cooperative, and flexible demeanor in interactions.
  • Positively contribute to the schoolwide community.
  • Demonstrate professionalism through reliability, punctuality, and personal appearance and self-care, and maintain personal integrity and a respectful attitude in all relationships, and positively contribute to the school community.
  • Provide for the physical safety of children through anticipation and removal of hazards, visual observation of children active or at rest, and by appropriately responding to injuries.
  • Follow all personnel policies and the guidelines of the Emergency Response Plans, and take responsibility for students' safety in an emergency situation or drill.

QUALIFICATIONS: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty to the satisfaction of the administration. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: Three or more years of experience in event fundraising for 500+ guests for school or nonprofit organizations, preferably in the areas of budget management, solicitation, auction item curation, event programming, constituency development, and volunteer management.
BEHAVIORAL SKILLS: Demonstrate personal integrity, friendliness, patience, fairness, openness, non-defensiveness, sensitivity, flexibility, and enthusiasm.
LANGUAGE SKILLS: Ability to read, analyze, and interpret written documents, professional literature, and other material. Ability to write reports and letters. Ability to verbally present information and respond to children, parents, colleagues, and administrators. Ability to communicate effectively with parents, students, and colleagues.
TECHNICAL SKILLS: Very High comfort level and proficiency with technology as a communication tool and the ability to utilize and manage multiple software platforms. Ability to use simple tools and machines, such as copiers, binders, and laminators. Ability to use computers to write reports, compose letters and emails, create documents, and communicate with parents. Willingness to provide own general clerical support.
REASONING ABILITY: Ability to solve practical problems and apply common sense and good judgment in dealing with everyday and emergencies. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those required to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions: regularly required to talk and hear; stand, walk, sit, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, and climb; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms. Specific vision abilities required include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, and the ability to adjust focus.
WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those a teacher encounters while performing the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment varies from quiet to moderate to noisy.

Apply