Development and Special Events Director

Position Overview

Now Hiring: Development and Special Events DirectorLocation: Coconut Creek, FL (Hybrid: 3 days in office / 2 remote)Job Type: Full-Time ExemptSchedule: Monday – Friday, 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM; occasional evenings/weekends required

Position Summary:

We are seeking a dynamic and strategic Development and Special Events Director to lead and elevate all fundraising and special events for Junior Achievement of South Florida. This role is ideal for a relationship-driven professional with strong sales instincts, exceptional organizational skills, and a passion for making an impact in the community.

Key Responsibilities:

Event Planning & Execution

Lead strategy, planning, and execution of all fundraising events and smaller stakeholder engagements.

Oversee all aspects of event logistics: committees, marketing, budgeting, entertainment, vendors, A/V, guest experience, and more.

Source and negotiate vendor agreements aligned with event goals and budgets.

Analyze and evaluate event performance to optimize future programming.

Fundraising & Partnerships

Drive revenue through ticket sales, auctions, and corporate sponsorships.

Develop and manage a pipeline of corporate, foundation, and individual prospects.

Create compelling sponsorship proposals and engagement strategies.

Team & Volunteer Leadership

Supervise 1–2 event staff members.

Coordinate internal departments (Development, Marketing, Facilities) for event success.

Lead event committees composed of board members and community leaders.

Marketing & Communications

Collaborate with the Marketing team to promote events across platforms.

Ensure sponsor benefits and deliverables are met and reported.

Finance & Reporting

Maintain accurate budgets and financial records.

Track donor/sponsor engagement and post-event insights using CRM tools.

Qualifications

Required Skills:

Proven success in managing large-scale fundraising events.

Strong ability to cultivate sponsor relationships and close funding opportunities.

Exceptional project management, communication, and organizational skills.

Experience working cross-functionally with staff, volunteers, and leadership.

Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, donor/event databases, and CRM systems.

Education & Experience:

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience required.

6+ years of experience in event management, fundraising, or corporate development.

Nonprofit and customer service experience preferred.

Physical Requirements:

Must be able to lift up to 25 lbs.

Occasional walking, bending, and standing for extended periods during events.

Who we are:

Junior Achievement of South Florida (JA) empowers our youth with the knowledge, ability, and confidence to navigate their futures, drive our economy and lead our community. We are looking for individuals who are passionate not only to our mission, but also about being part of the innovative and energetic culture at JA.

JA provides real-world training in financial literacy including budgeting, spending, investing and the use of credit; offers cutting-edge skill-building opportunities that enable young people to explore meaningful, productive careers; teaches students how to start businesses; and introduces entrepreneurial values that strengthen workplaces. Last year, with the help of over 7,100 trained corporate and community volunteers, JA delivered over 20 various programs to almost 50,000 students in classrooms throughout Broward and south Palm Beach counties and at JA World Huizenga Center at the Lillian S. Wells Pavilion, a first-class facility housing JA BizTown and JA Finance Park.

For more information about Junior Achievement of South Florida, visit Follow JA on social media @jasouthflorida.

Junior Achievement of South Florida participates in the federal government’s E-Verify program, which confirms employment authorization of all newly hired employees and most existing employees through an electronic database maintained by the Social Security Administration and Department of Homeland Security. For all new hires, the E-Verify process is completed in conjunction with the Form I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification on or before the first day of work. E-Verify is not used as a tool to pre-screen candidates. For up-to-date information on E-Verify, go to and click on 'E-Verify' located near the bottom of the page.

Full-Time