Assistant Director of Events, College

Department

COMM College Communications

University Communications aims to increase the understanding, recognition, and advocacy of UChicago's impact as one of the world's leading research universities. Our teams focus on building the University brand, enhancing and protecting its reputation, and engaging our University community.

The University of Chicago College seeks an Assistant Director of Events to join its communications team to support its work to increase recognition of the College as a preeminent liberal arts undergraduate program within a leading global research university to external and internal audiences. The Assistant Director of Events will serve as a strategic adviser and partner to units across The College, helping plan, communicate about, and execute a variety of events for undergraduate students, faculty, and the general public.

• Develops and maintains resources and tools that help streamline the event planning process and ensure high‑level quality in planning and execution.
• Leads the planning and coordination of meetings, visiting lecturer and speaker events, key student events, and other special activities hosted by the College.
• Manages large‑scale key College programs, including Class Day and the Undergraduate Research Symposium.
• Leads vendor selection and contract negotiation and coordinates vendor services including catering, entertainment, audio/visual support, facilities services, transportation, and photo/videographer.
• Oversees onsite logistical preparations and post‑event wrap‑up for select events.
• Creates event descriptions and overviews, briefings, and other relevant event documents.
• Promotes events to College students and/or other targeted audiences.
• Helps resolve any logistics issues during event planning and production.
• Identifies needs of proposed events and develops the tools and resources necessary for effective execution.
• Researches and proposes event and speaker ideas that further the College's strategic goals.
• Corresponds with key guest attendees for events, such as panelists and featured speakers.
• Uses templates and event plans and timelines to ensure all tasks and logistics are completed within the appropriate timeframe.
• Develops and maintains strong relationships with colleagues in the College, University partners, and external stakeholders.
• Establishes efficiency in business processes, procedures, and other daily operations.
• Ensures professional, courteous, and proactive client and guest services.
• Proactively contributes to overall team success by presenting ideas, identifying problems, anticipating needs, and researching solutions.
• Creates and proposes budgets as outlined by project needs and objectives; manages and processes event invoices and payments.
• Develops and executes day‑to‑day event logistics and other complex assignments with minimal guidance.
• Guides research, including vendor selection and contract negotiation; tracks expenses and prepares cost reports.
• Reviews and finalizes guest lists, assists with mailing invitations, and creates complex brochures for the event.
• Implements improvement ideas and provides post‑event feedback on turnout and vendor performance.
• Performs other related work as needed.

Education:

A college or university degree in a related field.

Work Experience:

5‑7 years of experience in a related job discipline.

• Bachelor's degree in a related field.
• Progressively responsible experience in event planning and meeting management.
• Background with project management platforms such as Asana.
• Proficiency with Adobe Creative Suite and Microsoft Office Suite.
• Proficiency in social media platforms, website content management, and other web tools.

• Strong marketing and event management skills.
• Proven ability to problem‑solve with minimal direction.
• Exercise good judgment in key‑decision‑making moments.
• Deliver high‑quality work under pressure in complex situations.
• Extensive project management and analytical skills.
• Excellent communication and customer service skills.
• Quick learning of new systems.
• Balance multiple projects and manage day‑to‑day tasks…