Special Initiatives Project Manager Jobs (NOW HIRING)

JOB ACCOUNTABILITIES
1. Special Initiatives, Signature Events & "Salon" Strategy
• Intimate Gatherings: Concept and lead "salon-style" events (typically 20-50 guests) in unique private settings to spark curiosity and build relationships without immediate solicitation.
• Signature Production: Manage the "critical path" for special initiatives such as the 125 Years celebration, larger signature events, overseeing everything from high-level logistics to the donor-centric run-of-show.
• Guest Experience: Ensure every touchpoint-from valet to follow-up notes-reflects an "elite" standard of hospitality.
• 2. Board Engagement & Leadership Support
• Board Stewardship: Serve as the primary development liaison for managing and coordinating board meetings.
• Meeting Management: Collaborate with executive leadership to plan and execute impactful board meetings, ensuring that philanthropic goals remain central to the agenda.
• Committee Leadership: Lead volunteer committees focused on specific special initiatives or event sponsorship goals.
• 3. Portfolio Management & Special Initiatives
• Moves Management: Transition event attendees into long-term major gift pipelines through rapid, personalized follow-up and "discovery visits".
• Strategic Storytelling: Work with marketing to create bespoke materials and "impact reports" that articulate the unique value of special initiatives to high-net-worth individuals.
• 4. Budgetary Oversight & Financial Stewardship
• Zero-Based Budgeting: Develop and manage comprehensive budgets for each signature event and salon, ensuring every
dollar is allocated to maximize "Return on Event" (ROE).
• Cost-Benefit Analysis: Evaluate vendor bids (catering, venues, AV) to balance elite quality with fiscal responsibility, ensuring donor funds are used efficiently.
• Revenue Tracking & Projections: Provide real-time financial updates to leadership, tracking sponsorship pledges vs. actuals and managing event-related tax receipting.
• Expense Reconcilement: Meticulously track all event-related invoices and staff reimbursements, adhering strictly to organizational audit standards.
• 5. Strategic Planning & Project Management
• The "Critical Path" Method: Create and maintain detailed project timelines (6-12 months out) with clear milestones for
marketing, invitations, and program development.
• Contingency Planning: Proactively identify risks-such as speaker cancellations or weather issues-and develop "Plan B" scenarios to ensure seamless execution.
• Cross-Departmental Synergy: Coordinate with the Communications, Programs, and Finance teams to ensure event messaging is accurate and logistics are supported organization-wide.
• 6. Precision Coordination & Attention to Detail
• Briefing Documents: Prepare "Gold Standard" briefing memos for Board members and Executives, including guest bios, talking points, and specific "moves management" goals for each attendee.
• Atmospheric Detail: Oversee the "look and feel" of meetings, gatherings, etc.-from the weight of the invitation cardstock to the lighting and acoustic quality of a private room-to ensure a premium donor experience.
• Data Integrity: Ensure every guest interaction, dietary preference, and follow-up promise is accurately recorded in the CRM within 48 hours of an initiative's conclusion.
JOB QUALIFICATIONS
Minimum Education:
Associate's Degree College level education
Preferred Education:
Master's Degree
Minimum Experience:
5-7 years Fundraising experience
Minimum Skills:
Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications (e.g., Word, Excel, Outlook).
Must have excellent communication skills, including the ability to speak, read and write English proficiently.
Pay Transparency
The salary rate range for this position is $99,507 - $164,559 annual. When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California Arcadia Hospital considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate's work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, federal, State, and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations
JOB SUMMARY
This role is focused on operational excellence with high-touch and relationship management that bridges the gap between high-level event production and major gift development. The Philanthropy Officer (Special Initiatives & Engagement) is responsible for creating and executing high-impact environments to cultivate new prospects and deepen donor involvement.
USC is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or USC policy. USC observes affirmative action obligations consistent with state and federal law. USC will consider for employment all qualified applicants with criminal records in a manner consistent with applicable laws and regulations, including the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for employers and the Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, and with due consideration for patient and student safety. Please refer to the Background Screening Policy Appendix D for specific employment screen implications for the position for which you are applying.
We provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants with questions about access or requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact USC Human Resources by phone at (213) 821-8100, or by email at uschr@usc.edu. Inquiries will be treated as confidential to the extent permitted by law.

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