Director of Events, CFK

The Director of Events will be responsible for managing all events for the organization, including both large-scale signature events and smaller internal and third-party events throughout the year. You'll develop and execute strategies that drive fundraising, community engagement, and donor stewardship.

Who We Are 

An idea, a theory, a what if. This is where all breakthroughs begin. For childhood cancer research, these are the sparks— the potentially transformative innovations— and we are the catalyst. By funding early-stage research, that would otherwise go unfunded, CancerFree KIDS gives bold ideas the opportunity to revolutionize the way we treat childhood cancer.  

What We Do 

To revolutionize childhood cancer treatments, early-stage research is vital, but this research often lacks initial, critical funding. As a result, specific childhood cancer treatments are often not available, causing many children with cancer to be treated with therapies that aren't specifically designed for them, sometimes leading to other serious and chronic illnesses. We give researchers the opportunity to prove their initial concepts and secure crucial future funding that drives new publications, patents, and clinical trials, and even new companies, all focused on gentler and more effective treatments designed specifically for children. 

We have funded $10.85 million across 240 research projects, but our impact is exponentially larger than that. With our initial funding, the most promising of these ideas have been awarded $114 million in subsequent funding, fueling progress on these innovative therapies. 

What You Will Do 

By joining CancerFree KIDS (CFK) as the Director of Events, you will be responsible for managing all events for the organization, including both large-scale signature events and smaller internal and third-party events throughout the year. You'll develop and execute strategies that drive fundraising, community engagement, and donor stewardship. In this role you will: 

Event Oversight & Management 

• Manage all events for the organization, including: 

• Large signature events (e.g., Celebration of Courage, Night for the Fight). 

• Smaller signature events. 

• Internal staff events and volunteer appreciation events. 

• Third-party fundraisers and community engagement activities. 

• Maintain a comprehensive and up-to-date annual event calendar, assigning clear responsibilities and deadlines. 

• Lead the planning, coordination, execution, and follow-up for each event. 

• Record, organize, and manage logistics in tools like GiveSmart, Microsoft Planner, and Excel. 

• Collaborate with the development and communications teams to produce event marketing materials, donor solicitations, and promotional content. 

Strategic Planning & Leadership 

• Develop and implement a comprehensive event strategy aligned with CFK’s fundraising, outreach, and engagement goals. 

• Collaborate with CFK leadership to set and exceed annual event fundraising goals. 

• Use data and post-event reports to assess performance and drive future improvements.  

• Coordinate all event logistics, including venue selection, permits, catering, entertainment, run-of-show, and contingency planning. 

• Oversee and guide the Special Events Coordinator, responsible for smaller events, third-party events, and volunteer management. 

Budgeting & Financial Management 

• Create and manage event budgets for each event. 

• Ensure cost-effectiveness and strong ROI. 

• Track income and expenses; ensure fiscal accountability. 

• Review, approve, and negotiate contracts. 

• Track and manage all event-related in-kind donations. 

Team & Volunteer Supervision 

• Supervise all event-related staff, interns, and volunteers. 

• Coordinate team meetings with clear goals, deadlines, and responsibilities. 

• Support volunteer management across all event efforts. 

What You Bring 

Education & Experience 

• Bachelor's degree in Nonprofit Management, Event Planning, Communications, or a related field. 

• 5+ years of experience in event planning, preferably in a nonprofit setting. 

• Proven success in managing high-impact fundraising events. 

Technical Skills 

• Proficiency in event and donor tools such as GiveSmart and DonorDrive. 

• Strong command of Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint). 

Project & People Management 

• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple simultaneous projects. 

• Ability to lead teams and foster collaboration under tight deadlines. 

• Experience reviewing and negotiating vendor and sponsor contracts. 

Work Conditions & Physical Requirements 

• Willingness to work evenings and weekends as needed for events. 

• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds (event setup, materials, etc.). 

• Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation for travel between campaign sites, partner meetings, and events, including periodic travel to Columbus, Ohio. 

Personal Requirements 

• Excellent verbal and written communication. 

• Professional demeanor, strong listening skills, and attention to detail. 

• High emotional intelligence and calmness under pressure. 

• A positive, solution-oriented attitude and strong customer-service focus. 

• Ability to conduct purposeful team meetings that drive action and alignment. 

• Passionate commitment to the mission of CancerFree KIDS and empathy for families affected by childhood cancer. 

• Creative, collaborative team player who is organized and detail-oriented. 

• High standards for quality, accountability, and proactive leadership. 

• A strong desire to meet goals on or ahead of deadlines with a work-ahead mentality. 

Benefits&Compensation 

• Full-time, exempt position 

• Benefits including:  

• • 401(k) with employer match. 

• • A Suite of Health insurance available including; Dental, Medical and Vision. 

• • PTO: 20 days, plus paid federal holidays, plus the week of Christmas. 

Work Environment & Location 

• Ability to work in office Mon-Thurs | 9am-5pm with flexibility on Fridays. 

• Occasional nights and weekends required based on the event schedule 

• Office located near Downtown Cincinnati, OH.