Event Producer
Austin, TX
Title: Event Producer
REPORTS TO: Director of Development & Communications
STATUS: Full time, Exempt
SALARY: $80,000-$90,000
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Friends of the Children Austin is seeking an Event Producer. This is an exciting opportunity for someone with experience in planning and executing high-quality events, including experience taking the lead on event planning and production. This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced event professional who is ready to bring their skills to a dynamic, mission-driven, and growing organization.
As Friends of the Children Austin approaches its ninth year of operation, and with the national network celebrating more than 30 years of impact, Friends Austin continues to experience strong growth and meaningful outcomes in both fundraising and programming. The Event Producer will pay a key role in that growth by leading a diverse portfolio of signature fundraising and donor engagement events.
If you are seeking an opportunity to join a team with an energetic, whatever-it-takes approach, who strives for excellence, here’s what we have to offer you:
Experienced and committed leadership who will mentor and partner with you in your role.
- An engaged, motivated Board of Directors and Advisory Boards that work hard, give generously, and participate in fundraising efforts.
- Strong, cohesive team support committed to innovation and excellence.
- Respect for work-life balance. You’ll work hard, have fun, and we expect you to recharge and take care of yourself.
- Organizational culture that values each team member’s dedication to the work of Friends Austin, diversity of backgrounds, skillsets and professional experience, and empowering staff to grow professionally.
- Generous Compensation and Benefits Package:
- 100% Employer paid premiums on dental, vision, and medical benefits along with disability and life insurance
- Three weeks paid vacation
- Two weeks paid sick leave
- Additional paid time off the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day
- Simple IRA, up to 3% employer match
- Eight weeks of paid parental leave for primary caregiver (birth, adoption, foster)
Intrigued? Want to know more? To learn more about the position’s responsibilities and qualifications, see below:
ABOUT THE ROLE:
This position is an integral member of the Development team, reporting directly to the Director of Development and Communications (DDC) and works closely with the Deputy Director of Development and Communications (DDDC) to drive successful event execution and cross-functional alignment. The role owns a $1.5M event portfolio, supporting the organization’s $6M annual fundraising goal (FY27). In collaboration with Development leadership and event Chairs, the Event Producer is responsible for leading the planning and execution of the organization’s events portfolio, including signature fundraising events (Slay Bells, Jammies at Sammie’s, Dinner with Friends and The Big Pickle) as well as smaller donor engagement events and the organization’s 10th Birthday celebration coming up in Fall 2027.
This role ensures a high-quality guest experience while driving revenue, strengthening relationships, and supporting donor growth. This role is primarily based onsite at our East Austin office, with occasional flexibility for remote work, and requires availability to work occasional evenings and weekends as they relate to events.
The following statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work to be performed by individuals assigned to this position. They are not intended as a comprehensive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified.
CORE RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Serve as the internal production lead and primary project manager for all events, including signature fundraising events (Slay Bells, Jammies at Sammie’s, Dinner with Friends and The Big Pickle) and other cultivation and donor engagement events.
- Manage the entire event lifecycle from the initial brainstorm to planning and execution, post event reporting, and budget oversight.
- Partner with Development leadership and Host Committees to turn fundraising goals and an established event vision into an engaging guest experience. Shape event design, aesthetic, and program details within an approved budget and direction, bringing forward new ideas for consideration.
- Build and manage project timelines, workflows, and cross-functional coordination to ensure strong accountability and seamless execution across Development, Communications, and Program teams.
- Oversee all core event logistics while vetting and managing specialized contractors.
- Support the solicitation of event support through table sales, sponsorships, and donations.
- Manage sponsor benefit fulfillment.
- Manage event budgets and relationships with vendors, contractors, and production partners to deliver high-quality events within financial targets.
- Own the event platform, project tracking tools, invitations, and guest communications, including registration setup, RSVP monitoring, seating plans, and pre- and post-event communications. Coordinate with the Development Manager to ensure guest, donor, and gift information is accurately recorded in the CRM.
- Collaborate with the team to manage guest communications from pre-event outreach through post-event follow-up
- Lead event-day execution, including the run of show, staff and volunteer assignments, vendor coordination, and real-time troubleshooting. Bring significant program, budget, and other consequential decisions to the Director of Development and Communications.
- Produce post-event attendance and revenue summaries, sponsor recap materials, donor follow-up lists, and a debrief with recommendations for future events.
ESSENTIAL SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
- Ability to lead event planning, including producing thoughtfully curated events and ensuring high-quality operations and execution.
- Preferable to have exposure to planning and executing fundraising events and donor engagement activities.
- Experience managing complex, cross-functional projects and competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
- Strong relationship-building skills with the ability to engage donors, sponsors, vendors, volunteers, and internal stakeholders.
- Ability to manage the contribution of ideas and feedback from a variety of stakeholders, including staff leadership, board members, event co-chairs and host committee.
- Capacity to effectively project manage and plan for the long term and anticipate future needs, as well as make quick decisions and operate flexibly.
- Experience managing event budgets, vendors, contractors, and production partners.
- Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
- Strong project management and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple events and deadlines simultaneously.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office and project management platforms (e.g., Monday.com).
- Experience with event management platforms, with exposure to fundraising event platforms preferred
- Ability to work independently and exercise sound judgment.
- Keen eye for detail, design, and delivering high-quality event experiences.
- Associate or bachelor's degree preferred or equivalent experience (4-8 years' work experience).
- Minimum of three years of event-planning experience, including serving as the primary lead for an event.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:
- Associate or bachelor's degree preferred or equivalent experience (4-8 years' work experience).
- Minimum of three years of event-planning experience, including serving as the primary lead for an event.