Event and Sponsorship Manager

Organization Overview

The Potter League for Animals is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting, protecting, and advancing the well-being of Rhode Island’s companion animals. As the state’s most comprehensive animal welfare organization, we impact more than 10,000 companion animals annually. For more than 95 years, we have been committed to serving animals and the people who love them throughout Rhode Island and New England as a 4-star Charity Navigator-rated nonprofit, ranking in the top 1% nationally.

Position Details

Classification: Full-time, Salaried, Exempt

Location: Animal Care & Adoption Center – Middletown, RI

Reports To: Director of Philanthropy

Job Purpose

The Event and Sponsorship Manager leads The Potter League’s events portfolio, fundraiser stewardship, and sponsorship programs. This role builds and manages a revenue-generating sponsorship portfolio, delivers exceptional donor and sponsor experiences, and uses data and strategy to increase retention, engagement, and philanthropic investment.

Accountabilities

Events Management

• Plan, coordinate, and execute fundraising, cultivation, and stewardship events
• Develop event timelines and logistics plans
• Manage event vendors, venues, and day-to-day event staff
• Collaborate with the Volunteer Manager on volunteer needs for all events
• Oversee event registration, tracking, and post-event follow-up
• Evaluate event outcomes and prepare summary reports
• Directly supervise & provide committee oversight for events and development support, and ensure efficient execution of three signature events annually and other special events, including third-party and community events

Strategic Events & Sponsorship

• Manage a comprehensive portfolio of fundraising, cultivation, and stewardship events
• Develop and execute an integrated sponsorship strategy across events and organizational initiatives
• Create long-term partnership opportunities
• Lead sponsor cultivation, solicitation, negotiation, and renewal efforts
• Manage sponsorship forecasting, revenue goals, and ROI analysis

Portfolio & Relationship Management

• Manage a portfolio of corporate sponsors
• Develop customized stewardship and engagement plans for sponsors – partner with the Marketing team
• Serve as a primary relationship manager for assigned partners
• Collaborate with leadership on cross-sell and upgrade strategies

Donor Stewardship

• Support donor recognition programs including annual giving levels and society membership, naming opportunities, and impact reporting
• Coordinate timely and meaningful donor acknowledgements in partnership with philanthropy staff
• Support donor engagement efforts such as tours, special mailings, and impact communications
• Maintain accurate stewardship and event data in the donor database
• Ensure personalized stewardship for leadership and event-related donors

Data, Reporting & Systems

• Track sponsorship, events, and stewardship activity in the donor database
• Analyze engagement, retention, and revenue metrics
• Prepare reports for leadership to inform fundraising strategy
• Track Expense Budgets, including in-kind opportunities

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with development, marketing, and program teams to align messaging and donor experience
• Support fundraising campaigns by integrating stewardship touchpoints
• Partner with marketing on sponsor visibility, branding, and communications
• Collaborate with finance on revenue and expense tracking and reconciliation
• Partner with Animal Care Teams and the Community Navigator who stewards the Mission.
• Represent The Potter League with corporate partners and at community events
• Adheres to all Policies, Procedures, and Code of Conduct Standards.
• Other duties as assigned.

Success Factors

The ideal candidate:

• Clearly communicates with a variety of stakeholders, adapting their tone and style for different audiences.
• Works effectively in a fast-paced, dynamic, collaborative environment.
• Tracks deadlines, budgets, and deliverables across projects.
• Maintains focus on hitting revenue, retention, and engagement targets.
• Maintains strict data privacy and confidentiality standards.
• Values meaningful work and their positive impact on themselves, their colleagues, and the people and pets the Potter League serves.
• Embraces their own uniqueness and individuality as well as that of others.
• Maintains a professional and friendly manner at all times.
• Experience planning and executing events in the Newport, RI area strongly preferred.

Benefits:

• Medical Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Savings Plan
• Simple IRA Retirement Plan with Company Match
• Paid Holidays
• Annual Sick Time Bank
• Generous Vacation Time Accrual
• Continuing Education and Professional Development
• Pet Owner Perks and Discounts

How to Apply:

Interested candidates, please apply here.

Direct questions about the position to Laura Chabot, Director of Human Resources, at hr@potterleague.org.

Employment Disclaimer:  This job description is not a contract – management reserves the right to change its contents at any time. This organization complies with the guidelines set forth in the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, sex, age, disability, or status as a disabled veteran or veteran of the Vietnam era. This organization is an Equal Opportunity Employer.