Special Events, Senior Manager

Sep 8

International Center of Photography
New York, NY

Anticipated Start Date: 10/01/2026

Description

The Special Events Senior Manager leads the strategy, planning, and execution of ICP’s institutional special events, donor cultivation experiences, and select revenue-generating partnerships and rentals. This role serves as the primary project lead for ICP’s signature fundraising and donor-facing events, including the Infinity Awards, Spotlights Luncheon, and other high-profile institutional initiatives. Working closely with Development leadership, trustees, vendors, sponsors, and cross-functional internal teams, this position plays a key role in advancing ICP’s fundraising, stewardship, and institutional visibility goals.

The role requires strong project management skills, operational leadership, sound judgment, and the ability to manage multiple high-profile priorities in a fast-paced environment. This position collaborates closely with colleagues across Development, Marketing & Communications, Curatorial, Education, Visitor Experience, Facilities, Finance, and external partners to deliver exceptional donor and guest experiences aligned with ICP’s mission and strategic priorities.

Responsibilities

Special Events & Donor Engagement

Lead planning and execution of ICP’s signature special events, including the Infinity Awards, Spotlights Luncheon, and other major fundraising initiatives
Partner with Development leadership on fundraising strategy, sponsorship engagement, donor cultivation, and stewardship through events
Manage event timelines, budgets, vendors, logistics, run of show documents, and on-site execution and run-of-show calls
Oversee event communications, guest lists, seating, invitations, acknowledgements, and VIP engagement
Manage relationships with co-chairs, trustees, sponsors, donors, honorees, host committees, and external partners
Track event revenue, participation, sponsorship fulfillment, and post-event reporting
Manage auction vendors, fundraising components, volunteers, and related event initiatives as applicable

Donor & Institutional Events

Lead planning and execution of exhibition openings, donor cultivation events, and institutional gatherings throughout the year
Manage vendors, event logistics, timelines, and on-site coordination
Partner with Curatorial, Public Programs, Education, Marketing, and Visitor Experience teams to support programming and guest experience
Track attendance, engagement, and post-event follow-up opportunities to support donor cultivation and institutional goals

Sponsorships & External Partnerships

Support development and fulfillment of corporate sponsorship opportunities and event partnerships
Maintain strong relationships with sponsors, vendors, and external stakeholders
Ensure sponsor benefits and recognition are executed accurately and professionally

Space Rentals & Operational Coordination

Support planning and execution of select space rental events in coordination with Facilities, Visitor Experience, and external clients
Help maintain and improve rentals workflows, operational standards, and cross-department coordination practices
Identify opportunities to improve event systems, planning processes, and operational efficiencies

Additional Responsibilities

Maintain accurate event, donor, sponsor, and vendor records within Raiser's Edge and related systems
Monitor industry trends and best practices related to fundraising events, donor engagement, and cultural institution programming
Build collaborative relationships across departments and contribute positively to team culture

Support additional

Development initiatives and institutional priorities as needed

Core Competencies

Strong project management and organizational skills with exceptional attention to detail
Ability to manage multiple high-priority projects and stakeholders simultaneously
Strong relationship-building and interpersonal communication skills
Ability to navigate evolving priorities and fast-paced event environments with professionalism and sound judgment
Collaborative, solutions-oriented approach to cross-functional work
Strong written and verbal communication skills
Commitment to delivering high-quality donor and guest experiences
Comfort working independently while balancing strategic and operational responsibilities

Requirements

Experience Requirement

Bachelor’s degree required
Minimum 5–7 years of experience in fundraising events, development operations, special events, or related work
Experience independently leading complex fundraising or donor-facing events required
Experience working with trustees, sponsors, donors, and senior stakeholders preferred
Experience within nonprofit, arts, cultural, museum, or higher education environments preferred
Familiarity with Raiser's Edge or similar CRM systems preferred

Working Conditions

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this role.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Ability to remain stationary for extended periods of time
Ability to move event materials and occasionally lift or move up to 25 pounds, and sometimes up to 50 pounds
Ability to support evening and occasional weekend events as needed

Salary Range and Employee Benefits

$80,000 - $90,000 annually, commensurate with experience.

ICP offers a comprehensive benefits package, including:

Medical, dental, and vision coverage (with employer contributions and HRA support)
Employer-paid life insurance, short- and long-term disability, and Employee Assistance Program 403(b) retirement plan with employer match up to 5% after one year
Flexible spending accounts and pre-tax commuter benefits
Generous paid time off, including vacation, sick time, personal days, holidays, floating holidays, and a birthday day off
Free or discounted museum admission, staff discounts, and access to perks programs
Professional development opportunities, including tuition-free ICP courses and discounted education programs for employees and dependents

The International Center of Photography is committed to equal opportunity employment. We believe that diversity, equity, and inclusion are values integral to offering an open forum for dialogue around photography and visual culture that is open to all.

How to Apply for this Job

Apply Now

About the Organization

The International Center of Photography (ICP) is the world's leading institution dedicated to photography and visual culture. Cornell Capa founded ICP in 1974 to champion “concerned photography”—socially and politically minded images that can educate and change the world. This legacy endures even as the medium and practices of socially engaged image making continue to evolve. Through its exhibitions, education programs, community outreach, and public programs, ICP offers and open forum for dialogue about the power of the image. In January 2020, ICP opened its new home on the Lower East Side, becoming the cultural anchor of Essex Crossing, one of the most highly anticipated and expansive mixed-use developments in New York City.

ICP’s new location features 40,000 square feet of exhibition, education, and administration space, including galleries, media labs, classrooms, darkrooms, and equipment room, and shooting studios, as well as public event spaces. Moving to Essex is the culmination of 20 years of planning and initiates an exciting new era for ICP, reuniting the school and museum and creating an engaging space for museumgoers, ICP members, students, and the Lower East Side community. The neighborhood's history as a center for immigration and documentary and creative work-making align with ICP's place as a center for its community to explore photography and visual culture as mediums of empowerment and catalysts for social change.

FUNDING

Last year ICP had an annual Revenue and Support of $17M. Sources include contributions, memberships, special events, tuition, other program service revenue, government grants, and investment returns. In 2019, ICP completed a successful capital campaign to raise $30M for the new building and programs. The endowment has a current market value of approximately $7M.

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