Assistant Director, Special Events

Assistant Director, Special Events, Advancement Job Description

Location:

Boston, MA, United States. Position type:
Full‑Time/Regular. Salary Grade: 47. Expected hiring range: $62,525.00 – $81,175.00. The salary of the finalist selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to departmental budgets, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, specialty, training and internal pay comparison. The above hiring range represents the University's good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.

Boston University Advancement is at a pivotal moment, guided by new leadership and a clear strategic framework for growth and impact. Our work is organized around three core priorities: securing $500 million in philanthropy annually; deepening relationships with a strategically defined segment of alumni and donors; and strengthening the organizational foundation while launching focused priority areas across the University.

Advancement is evolving into a highly collaborative, matrixed model that integrates new University leadership, regional engagement, and the distinctive strengths of BU's schools and colleges. With more than 250 advancement professionals, the organization is building the capacity, partnerships, and culture required to deliver sustained philanthropic momentum and institutional impact.

The Assistant Director, Special Events works closely with the Director, Special Events to plan, coordinate, and deliver a portfolio of high-profile Advancement events. This role is responsible for the strategic execution, cross-functional coordination, and logistical delivery of events that strengthen relationships with key constituents and advance Advancement's engagement and philanthropic goals.

Working collaboratively with colleagues across Advancement and the University, as well as external vendors and partners, the Assistant Director plays a key role in ensuring events are cohesive, well-managed, and aligned with overarching engagement strategies. The role partners closely with the broader Advancement Events team to support the successful execution of events and deliver exceptional experiences for alumni, donors, volunteers, and other key constituents.

A successful candidate will be a highly organized and collaborative professional who is energized by managing complex details while keeping the broader participant experience in focus. They will demonstrate sound judgment, strong relationship-building skills, and the ability to work effectively with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders, including alumni volunteers, vendors, and University partners.

A bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and relevant experience is required, along with the ability and willingness to travel. Evening and weekend work is required at times based on the event schedule.

• Collaborate with the Director, Special Events and key internal partners to develop and execute events that advance Advancement's strategic priorities and organizational objectives.
• Support a team portfolio that includes recurring annual signature events held on campus and in key domestic and international regions, including Alumni Weekend, Beanpot Tournament celebrations, Alumni Day at Tanglewood, and other special events and one‑time initiatives.
• Develop and manage detailed event timelines, project plans, workflows, and planning documentation to support effective coordination across multiple teams and stakeholders.
• Coordinate complex logistical elements in partnership with internal teams and external vendors, ensuring events are delivered efficiently and meet established standards…