Events Coordinator

About the Job

Through strategic storytelling and integrated marketing, The Hormel Institute, University of Minnesota, Communications Department enhances the Institute's reputation, invites engagement and collaboration, inspires action, and shows why and how the Institute advances science through research, education, and community. The Communications Department consists of a Manager, Content Writer, Graphic/Web Designer, Digital Media Specialist, and a Communications Associate who all work together to create a seamless story and user experience that connects from brochures to newsletters to webpages to events and everything in between.

Reporting to the Communications Manager, the Events Coordinator supports the planning, coordination, and execution of internal and external events and visits that align with The Hormel Institute's mission, vision, and values. Leading up to the event, the Events Coordinator works directly with the event owner to understand the event purpose, goals, and desired outcomes; collaborates across departments to ensure the right teams understand their roles and responsibilities;

and keeps track of both their own and team deadlines and assignments. On event days, the Events Coordinator serves as the point person, troubleshooting issues and solving problems; overseeing support staff; managing the event schedule; and guiding the event toward success. Post event, the Events Coordinator organizes and leads debrief meetings with partners to identify lessons learned, if goals were met, and how to improve future events.

The role serves as a strategic partner to leadership, committees, and external stakeholders, while being task-driven, hands‑on, and supporting both short- and long‑term planning and execution for events and institutional engagement. The position requires strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple concurrent priorities and deadlines. The employer retains the right to change or assign other duties to this position.

• Plans, coordinates, and executes a wide range of institutional events, including seminars, data clubs, recognition events, symposiums, workshops, visits, and large annual offsite employee appreciation events.
• Serve as strategic partner with event owners to build mission-driven events that have clear purpose, goal, and desired outcomes.
• Support the planning, coordination, and execution of in‑person, virtual, and hybrid events of various sizes by developing project plans, timelines and communications to ensure event tasks stay on track.
• Coordinate event logistics for internal and external in-person, virtual, and hybrid events (of all sizes) including items like event budget, registration, attendee management, food and beverage planning, A/V and production needs, room sets, vendor halls, breakout spaces, and activations.
• Oversee the administrative and operational framework for institutional event programs, including development and maintenance of standardized processes, budget alignment, documentation, workflows, and compliance protocols aligned with University, collegiate, and regulatory requirements.
• Assesses events and feedback for opportunities to improve attendee experience and operational efficiency; prepares summaries and reports for leadership and planning committees.
• Coordinates travel and logistics for event guests, including airfare, ground transportation, lodging, and reimbursements through University of Minnesota systems.
• Negotiates, prepares, and administers contracts and service agreements with vendors, sponsors, and external partners; authorizes contract payments and ensures compliance with University procurement.
• As a member of the Communications team, ensures event communications, key messages, presentations, attendee experience, and staff involvement align with the Institute's mission and priorities, and enhance the organization's reputation.
• Serves as a local community resource for new and existing partner events by developing tool kits, explaining best practices, and providing feedback on event plans.

• Serves as the…