Description

MSUB Foundation & Alumni, is seeking an accomplished Assistant Director of Annual Giving – Events & Engagement to join our team. This position plays a vital role in designing, managing, and advancing events that generate philanthropic support, increase donor participation, and strengthen relationships across MSUB’s alumni and community networks.  The successful candidate has primary responsibility for the planning and execution of the MSUB Wine & Food Festival, the Foundation’s signature fundraising event, while also supporting a broader portfolio of annual giving, alumni, and engagement initiatives.

Established in 1968, Montana State University Billings Foundation & Alumni is an independent, non-profit 501(c)(3) organization.  Guided by a volunteer Board of Directors composed of community leaders, the Foundation advances its mission through solicitation, investment, and donor stewardship.  

Help us champion higher education for a better tomorrow!

Key Responsibilities:

Event Strategy & Execution

• Lead the planning, coordination, and execution of the Foundation’s annual event portfolio, with primary responsibility for the MSUB Wine & Food Festival
• Enhance donor-centric events by creating engaging, mission-driven experiences that strengthen donor relationships, increase alumni engagement, and inspire philanthropic support.  
• Develop and manage event timelines, budgets, and deliverables, ensuring alignment with annual giving goals and Foundation priorities.
• Provide leadership in creating high-quality, engaging event experiences that enhance fundraising outcomes and community engagement.
• Manage the solicitation, tracking, and recording of in-kind donations for the Wine & Food Festival. 
• Coordinate with internal stakeholders, external vendors, sponsors, and volunteers to ensure seamless event execution.
• Oversee logistics including venue coordination, catering, audiovisual needs, event registration, and sponsor fulfillment.
• Evaluate event success through revenue performance, attendance, sponsor engagement, and participant feedback.
   

Sponsorship Development & Community Engagement

• Identify, cultivate, and manage event sponsorship opportunities in partnership with the Annual Giving and Development teams.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for event sponsors, ensuring a professional and relationship-focused experience.
• Work collaboratively with volunteer committees (including Wine & Food Festival committees) to support sponsorship outreach and engagement.
• Strengthen partnerships with community organizations and businesses to support annual giving initiatives.                                                                            

Annual Giving Support & Integration

• Partner with the Director of Annual Giving to ensure event efforts are aligned with annual giving campaigns, appeals, and participation goals.
• Support strategic engagement opportunities that connect event participants to ongoing giving opportunities.
• Collaborate with Director of Annual Giving and Director of Advancement Services to ensure alignment with the Foundation’s overall donor stewardship strategy. 
• Assist in the development and execution of initiatives that increase alumni and donor participation.
• Under the direction of the Director of Annual giving, serve as an annual giving resource for MSUB faculty, staff, programs and community partners.

Event Systems & Operations

• Support the use and implementation of event-related systems, including registration platforms and donation tools (e.g., One Cause, GiveCampus).
• Collaborate with Database and Finance teams to ensure accurate tracking, reporting, and reconciliation of event revenue and participation.
• Help develop and maintain an annual events calendar in coordination with leadership and team priorities.
   

Collaboration & Leadership Support

• Collaborate closely with the Marketing team to develop and produce event collateral, including invitations, sponsorship materials, signage, and promotional communications, ensuring consistency in messaging, branding, and overall event experience.
• Serve as a key connector across Advancement, campus partners, and external stakeholders to ensure alignment and coordination.
• Contribute to team planning and strategy discussions related to annual giving, engagement, and fundraising initiatives.
• Assist in creating scalable systems and processes that support long-term growth and efficiency.

 Other:

        Performs related work and other duties as assigned. 

Requirements

Qualifications:

•         Bachelor’s degree preferred; however, candidates with an Associate degree and related professional experience are encouraged to apply.
•         Minimum of 2–5 years of experience in event management, fundraising, or a related field; nonprofit experience preferred.
•         Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends, as needed, for Foundation events and activities. 
•         Strong project management and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
•         Experience planning and executing events, including budgeting, logistics, and vendor coordination.
•         Proficiency in Microsoft Office; experience with CRM or event systems (e.g., Raiser's Edge, One Cause, GiveCampus) preferred.

Skills and Abilities:  

•         Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to work effectively with donors, sponsors, volunteers, and staff.
•         Ability to take on progressive responsibilities and adapt quickly to evolving priorities, technologies, and processes, preferred.   
•         Ability to be innovative and think strategically about events as a tool to drive engagement and fundraising outcomes.
•         High-level confidence in decision-making, good judgement, and creative problem-solving skills with a solutions-oriented mindset. 
•         Ability to consistently produce accurate work while maintaining a high level of attention to detail.        
•         Strong writing, editing, proofreading skills with ability to create compelling communications that supports event promotion, annual giving initiatives
•         and donor stewardship. 
•         Experience managing large-scale fundraising or community events, preferred.
•         Familiarity with annual giving or advancement operations, preferred.
•         Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
•         Proficiency in Canva or other design tools, preferred.

If you're passionate about building meaningful relationships, creating memorable events, and making a lasting impact through philanthropy, we encourage you to apply early as applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Position will remain open until filled. Candidates must reside in, or be able to reliably commute to, the Billings office location. Salary is commensurate with qualifications and demonstrated experience. Please send cover letter and resume today!