Director, Events and Partnerships - Wings for Life

Wings for Life USA funds the most promising spinal cord injury research in the United States, with a clear mission to find a biological cure for spinal cord injuries. The Social Outreach team of Red Bull Media House North America, Inc. primarily provides operational support to Wings for Life USA, which is a 501(c)(3) organization.

The Director, Events & Partnerships will play a pivotal role in driving the strategy, planning, and execution of high-impact fundraising and awareness-building events for Wings for Life USA. This individual will work closely with internal teams, external partners, and volunteers to produce compelling and meaningful events that support the organization’s mission and financial goals. The Director, Events & Partnerships will own all aspects of event management, including conceptualization, logistics, sponsorship acquisition, donor engagement, and post-event analysis. Experience leading large scale event execution is critical for this role.

Areas that play to your strengths

All the responsibilities we'll trust you with:

• Develop and implement a comprehensive event strategy to support organizational goals, including fundraising, donor cultivation, and brand awareness.

• Lead the planning and execution of fundraising events, including Wings for Life titled properties and third party events, while leveraging Red Bull properties (ex: Oracle Red Bull Racing) where Wings for Life USA can be the beneficiary.

• Manage and mentor an events team, including staff and volunteers, to ensure successful event delivery while operating with integrity and empathy at all times.

• Build and maintain relationships with key donors, sponsors, and partners to ensure maximum fundraising potential at each event.

• Develop and manage event budgets, ensuring that each event meets financial objectives and maximizes return on investment.

• Negotiate contracts with vendors, venues, and service providers, ensuring top-tier service while staying within budget constraints.

• Partner with the MarComms team to promote events through digital, print, and social media channels, ensuring high visibility and strong participation.

• Conduct post-event debriefs to evaluate successes and areas for improvement, producing detailed reports on event performance, budget adherence, and overall impact.

• Ensure all events are compliant with legal, regulatory, and organizational policies, including conflict-of-interest and ethical considerations.

EXPERIENCE

Your areas of knowledge and expertise

that matter most for this role:

• Proven track record of successfully managing complex and large-scale events, from planning through execution.
• Exceptional leadership, integrity, and team management skills.
• Excellent interpersonal, negotiation, and relationship-building skills.
• Strong financial acumen and experience managing event budgets and financial performance.
• Ability to work well under pressure, meet tight deadlines, and manage multiple events simultaneously.
• Proficiency in event management software, CRM systems, and Microsoft Office Suite.
• Familiarity with social media platforms and marketing strategies for event promotion.
• Passion for the mission of Wings for Life and a commitment to making a positive impact
• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Non-profit Management, or Marketing
• 5-7 years of event management experience
• 3-5 years of non-profit fundraising experience (preferred but not required)

• Travel 20-30%
• Permanent
• Benefits eligible