Director, Special Events & Sponsorships

SOME (So Others Might Eat) provides material aid and comfort to our vulnerable neighbors in Washington, DC, helping them break the cycle of poverty and homelessness through programs and services that save lives, improve lives, and help transform the lives of individuals and families, their communities, and the systems and structures that affect them.

Our more than 30 programs throughout the district provide comprehensive services that lead to mental and physical health, continued sobriety, job training, living-wage employment, and affordable housing. We meet immediate needs with food, clothing, and healthcare, and offer the tools one needs to live with hope, dignity, and greater independence.

Compensation: We offer our employees a competitive compensation and benefits package that reflects our organizational culture, mission, and core values. The salary range for this position is $104,707.00 to $110,718.90 and may be commensurate with experience.

Position Description:

The Director, Special Events & Sponsorships is a fundraising leader who leverages SOME's two signature events -- the Break the Cycle Gala and the Trot for Hunger -- as the centerpiece of a broader corporate sponsorship and relationship strategy. This role requires someone who understands how to fundraise through events: cultivating and stewarding corporate partners, working strategically alongside donors and stakeholders, and building long-term relationships that extend well beyond event day.

The Director, Special Events & Sponsorships serves as the primary liaison to outsourced event management and production partners, holding them accountable to timelines, budgets, and quality standards while remaining focused on the donor and sponsor relationships that drive revenue and mission impact. This position also co-leads strategy for SOME's Corporate Advisory Board (CAB) in partnership with the EVP, Chief Development Officer and executive office.

The ideal candidate brings event fundraising expertise, strong corporate relationship management skills, and the ability to direct contracted partners effectively without losing sight of the stakeholder engagement opportunities that create lasting philanthropic investment in SOME's mission.

Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm; This is a hybrid position. During the first 90 days of employment, the selected candidate will be expected to work onsite full-time to support onboarding, training, and successful integration into the organization. Following the introductory period, the position will transition to a hybrid schedule with a minimum of three days per week in the office. The role also requires flexibility to work occasional evenings and weekends to support meetings, events, and other business needs.

Required: Bachelor's degree and a minimum of 5 years of experience in nonprofit fundraising, corporate relationship management, or sponsorship development, with demonstrated experience using events as a fundraising and cultivation strategy.

Preferred: Bachelor's degree in Communications, Marketing, Nonprofit Management, or a related field; experience managing corporate sponsorship portfolios; familiarity with outsourced event management models and nonprofit fundraising environments.

Required License/Certification: Driver's license required only if company vehicle access is available and employee is required to drive it.

Expected Contributions: Signature Fundraising Events & Strategic Oversight

• Serve as the strategic lead for SOME's two signature fundraising events, the Break the Cycle Gala and the Trot for Hunger, with accountability for each event's revenue goals, donor and sponsor experience, and overall mission impact.
• Direct outsourced event management and production partners in the development of comprehensive event plans, including master timelines, run-of-show documents, production schedules, staffing plans, and budget tracking -- ensuring all contracted partners are performing to SOME's standards and expectations.
• Serve as the primary liaison and accountability partner for all outsourced event management, production, and contracted vendors, providing clear direction, monitoring deliverables, and resolving issues as they arise.
• On event day, maintain dual focus: ensuring outsourced partners are executing to plan while actively engaging donors, sponsors, and key stakeholders to deepen relationships and advance fundraising goals.
• Oversee the development and functionality of event websites in coordination with the Marketing and Communications team, ensuring accurate content, strong storytelling, and an intuitive user experience.
• Direct outsourced partners on registration platform management and processes, ensuring data integrity, accurate reporting, and a seamless experience for attendees and participants.
• Conduct post-event analysis for each event, including revenue reconciliation, attendee data review, contractor performance assessment, and lessons learned documentation to inform future planning.

Corporate Sponsorship Strategy & Partnership Development

• Lead the development and execution of sponsorship strategies for the Break the Cycle Gala and Trot for Hunger, with clear revenue targets for each event.
• Build and manage a portfolio of corporate sponsors, providing year-round cultivation, stewardship, and benefits fulfillment to strengthen long-term relationships that extend well beyond event day.
• Develop compelling, customized sponsorship packages that connect corporate partners' investment to measurable impact and visibility aligned with SOME's mission.
• Prepare and present sponsorship proposals, agreements, and impact reports for current and prospective sponsors.
• Track all sponsorship commitments, payment schedules, and benefits fulfillment to ensure accuracy and timely delivery.
• Coordinate with the Marketing and Communications team to ensure sponsor recognition is accurately reflected across all event materials, digital platforms, signage, and communications.
• Coordinate with the Foundation and Corporate Relations vertical to maintain clear portfolio delineation and avoid duplicative outreach to shared corporate contacts.

Corporate Advisory Board (CAB) Strategy & Activation

• In partnership with the EVP, Chief Development Officer and executive office, co-lead the strategy for how SOME's Corporate Advisory Board is engaged, activated, and utilized to advance the organization's corporate fundraising and sponsorship goals.
• Develop and maintain an annual CAB engagement calendar, identifying touchpoints, opportunities, and activations that leverage board members' networks, influence, and resources in support of signature events and corporate sponsorship growth.
• Serve as the primary staff coordinator for CAB activities, ensuring board members are well-informed, appropriately engaged, and connected to opportunities where their involvement creates the greatest impact.
• Collaborate with the executive office and senior leadership to align CAB strategy with broader organizational priorities and ensure a cohesive, high-value experience for board members.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities:

• Demonstrated experience in corporate fundraising, sponsorship development, and relationship management, with a track record of cultivating and growing long-term partnerships.
• Strong understanding of how to use events as a fundraising and cultivation vehicle, including donor engagement strategy, sponsor stewardship, and post-event relationship building.
• Ability to serve as an effective liaison to outsourced event management and production partners, providing clear direction, holding vendors accountable, and ensuring deliverables are met without managing day-to-day logistics directly.
• Exceptional project management skills with the ability to manage detailed event timelines, budgets, and multiple concurrent workstreams across internal and external partners.
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to prepare compelling sponsorship proposals, impact reports, and donor-facing materials.
• Strong interpersonal skills and executive presence, with the ability to represent SOME professionally in corporate and community-facing settings and build trust with senior stakeholders.
• Ability to work collaboratively with executive leadership on high-visibility board and advisory group strategy, including SOME's Corporate Advisory Board.
• Experience managing sponsorship tracking systems and CRM databases, with strong attention to detail in benefits fulfillment and relationship documentation.
• Ability to work effectively across internal teams including Development, Marketing and Communications, Finance, and program staff.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite; familiarity with event management software and platforms preferred.
• Comfortable working evenings and weekends as required year round when aligned with SOME's mission and stakeholder engagement opportunities.
• Commitment to SOME's mission and a genuine enthusiasm for representing the organization in corporate and community-facing contexts.

Reports To: EVP, Chief Development Officer

Physical Demands: Must be able to lift up to 20 pounds. Requires looking at a computer screen for several hours a day. May be required to sit for long periods.

Closing Date: Open Until Filled

To Apply: Go to our career page at https://www.some.org/careers/open-opportunities and click on the search icon to locate this position. Follow the instructions to complete your online application profile to be considered. No phone calls, please.

SOME, Inc. is a proactive equal-opportunity employer. We ensure that all qualified applicants are considered for employment without discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.

SOME, Inc. is deeply committed to ensuring the job application process is accessible to all users. If you require assistance or have any concerns about the accessibility of our website or the application process, please feel free to contact us at onlineaccommodations@some.org. This contact information is specifically for accommodation requests and does not pertain to application status inquiries.

To read our EEO Policy Statement, please click here. To view our notices to employees and applicants for employment, click on their corresponding link: EEOC Know Your Rights Notice and E-Verify Program Notice.