The Special Events Manager plays a vital role in contributing to the high-quality production of Foundation events, including leadership and business unit retreats, the all-staff summit, special events and other events as needed.
About Us:
The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research (MJFF) was founded in 2000 with one clear objective: accelerating meaningful therapeutic advances and, ultimately, a cure for Parkinson’s disease (PD). The Foundation applies extraordinary scientific, business and media assets to this singular focus—thus creating a unique and dynamic organization. Since inception, MJFF has quickly grown into the largest nonprofit funder of Parkinson’s disease research, having funded over $2 billion in research projects in both academic and industry labs worldwide.
Core to our philosophy is how we think of our capital and its risk profile relative to other stakeholders in the drug development pipeline. We work aggressively to de-risk various therapeutic strategies and tools in the hopes of building a robust pipeline of new treatments for patients. In order to achieve our mission of finding a cure for PD it is critical that we engage with, and bring together, members of the PD community including researchers, physicians, health professionals and most important, people with Parkinson's and their families.
We believe that to find a cure for PD as quickly as possible, our capital needs to push research forward today—we therefore deliberately hold no endowment or excessive reserves. We instead seek to deploy funds raised as quickly and wisely as possible. MJFF raises over $100 million annually. Today, the Foundation has approximately 300 full-time employees. We offer a collegial and collaborative environment where optimistic problem-solvers and entrepreneurial, resourceful individuals can thrive and make a tangible difference for millions of people living with Parkinson’s disease.
Position Summary:
The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research (“the Foundation”) is seeking top talent for its Special Events Manager position. Reporting to the Director of Special Events, this position plays a vital role in contributing to the high-quality production of Foundation events, including leadership and business unit retreats, the all-staff summit, special events and other events as needed.
This is a hybrid-flex position that will require in-person attendance at The Michael J. Fox Foundation’s headquarters in New York City.
Key Responsibilities:
Partner with the Office of the CEO to help organize, plan and execute internal Foundation events, including but not limited to, leadership and business unit retreats and the all-staff summit
Assist team with planning and executing key elements of a portfolio of special events, including program creation, website development, on-site event support, event invoicing and reconciliation
Support business unit retreats, as needed, with scheduling, travel and logistics
Serve as a key contributor in the project management of special events, providing strategic support and coordination to assist the event lead in planning, execution and post‑event follow‑up.
Assist in mailing list reviews when necessary
Communicate with attendees and donors to collect appropriate details, including guest information
Coordinate and execute travel planning and itineraries for VIPs and staff
Assist the Community Fundraising & Events department with other events and opportunities that arise, as needed
Qualifications and Skills:
Demonstrated experience in event logistics, execution and stakeholder engagement for high-level events with 500+ in attendance
Comfortable with data and analytics for special events and fundraising purposes, decision-making deftness and the ability to problem-solve in a dynamic environment
Ability to take initiative, incredible attention to detail and a strong interest in planning and executing first-rate events
Possess excellent time management, organization skills
Able to work independently and as part of a team in a collaborative environment
Enthusiasm for being hands-on with all aspects of event preparation and logistics
Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills
Proficient in database management and MS Office (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint)
Salary and Benefits:
The salary range for this position is $65,000 to $75,000. In addition to salary, The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research offers a comprehensive benefits package, including:
15+ options for medical insurance (with the Foundation paying 90 percent of the premiums)
Competitive dental and vision plans
401(k) plan with 6 percent employer contribution
Flexible spending accounts
Employer paid life and disability insurance
18 Vacation Days; 12 Well-Being (Sick) Days; 2 Personal Days; summer Fridays (office closure at 2 p.m.) and a summer holiday week over July 4
Two ways of working: hybrid-flex, or remote work. We trust all employees to work closely with their manager and colleagues to determine when, where and how programs and projects get done.
Employees are also eligible for a discretionary bonus on an annual basis. The Foundation provides staff and leadership cultivation through regular training courses and events.
How to Apply:
Interested candidates should submit a resume and thoughtful cover letter describing through examples, their specific qualifications and interest in the position. If you think that your skills are transferable and can add value to this role, please apply. Applicants who best match the position’s needs will be contacted.
MJFF is an equal opportunity employer. We strongly encourage applications from individuals who will contribute to our efforts to build and support a diverse, equitable and inclusive workforce. Diversity may refer to characteristics including, but not limited to, race, religion, ethnicity, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, socioeconomic circumstance, geographic background, ability and disability, political ideology and age.