Program & Event Manager, Darden School of Business

The University of Virginia Darden School of Business seeks a Program & Events Manager to join its team in Charlottesville, Virginia. This shared-services role supports Darden's Centers of Excellence, including the Batten Institute, Institute for Business in Society, Mayo Center for Asset Management, and La Cross Institute  for Ethical AI in Business.

Reporting to the Director of Shared Services, the Program & Events Manager works independently and closely with others to manage the successful delivery of select programs and events across the centers. Responsibilities include managing invitations, catering, space, transportation, audiovisual needs, and other event logistics while collaborating closely with colleagues and partners.

The ideal candidate is outgoing, entrepreneurial, flexible, and highly organized, with excellent communication skills and professionalism to engage effectively with a wide range of constituents.

• Coordinate programs as requested and organize the entire cycle (scheduling, planning, implementation, and de-briefing) of conferences and other events, ensuring effective collaboration across a wide range of constituencies.
• Engage regularly and at a high level with key stakeholders, including faculty at Darden, while simultaneously solving logistical challenges.
• Cultivate relationships with vendors in hospitality, representing Darden with professionalism and negotiating fair prices. Oversee the work of third parties as required.
• Coordinate logistics and travel, while also traveling to support off-site events as requested.
• Perform a range of specified administrative and/or operational support activities for the Centers of Excellence and help with special projects related to faculty initiatives.
• Develop, prepare, and present reports; maintain comprehensive project records, and statistical information related to past events and programs.
• Identify and learn new technology tools to support events and project organization.
• Assist with communications and outreach to promote events.
• Oversee event management platforms, such as Eventbrite, for a variety of programs and events.
• Oversee the purchasing and procurement of items needed for large scale events.

• Bachelor's degree and at least two years of relevant experience required. Relevant experience may be considered in lieu of degree requirement.

• Strong event planning and project management skills, with a focus on customer service.
• Higher education experience, working with academic programs preferred.
• Ability to work under tight deadlines and manage multiple priorities.
• Strong interpersonal relationships and teamwork skills.
• Excellent communication skills, both oral and written.
• Ability to work independently and exercise sound judgement.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and solve challenges as they arise.
• High level of competency in Microsoft Office Suite software.
• Competency in Adobe (e.g., Photoshop), Salesforce (e.g., Marketing Cloud) and/or similar web, communication, and design tools (e.g., Canva, Acorn) is preferred.

This is primarily a sedentary job involving extensive use of desktop computers. The job does occasionally require traveling some distance to attend meetings, and programs.

The University of Virginia Darden School of Business prepares responsible leaders through unparalleled, transformational learning experiences.

Darden offers the Full-Time MBA, Part-Time MBA, Executive MBA, M.S. in Business Analytics (MSBA), Ph.D., and Executive Education & Lifelong Learning. Darden's faculty is renowned for teaching excellence and consistently ranked among the best in the world for bringing out the best in learners.

Darden…