Senior Events Coordinator

Senior Events Coordinator Office of Climate and Sustainability | Duke University Occupational Summary

As an integral member of Duke University’s Office of Climate and Sustainability (OCS), the Senior Events Coordinator leads the planning, coordination, execution, and evaluation of events and engagement activities that advance the goals of the Duke Climate Commitment.

As an integral member of Duke University’s Office of Climate and Sustainability (OCS), the Senior Events Coordinator leads the planning, coordination, execution, and evaluation of events and engagement activities that advance the goals of the Duke Climate Commitment.

Working under the direction of the Assistant Director of Strategy and Administration, the Senior Events Coordinator translates strategic communications and engagement priorities into high-quality events and experiences that strengthen participation, foster collaboration, and elevate awareness of climate and sustainability initiatives across Duke and beyond.

The Senior Events Coordinator oversees a diverse portfolio of concurrent events and engagement activities, balancing competing priorities, timelines, budgets, and stakeholder needs while ensuring consistent quality and execution across Climate Commitment programs. The position manages all aspects of event implementation, including project management, logistics, communications coordination, vendor management, budget tracking, stakeholder engagement, and post-event evaluation.

Through exceptional execution and attention to detail, the Senior Events Coordinator ensures that Climate Commitment events reflect Duke’s commitment to excellence while supporting institutional goals for engagement, education, partnership development, and impact.

• The role serves as the primary project manager for Climate Commitment events and engagement activities, ensuring successful implementation of a diverse portfolio of programs, convenings, and experiences.
• Lead planning and execution of signature Climate Commitment events, including annual climate and sustainability summits, Climate Commitment town halls, Climate Commitment Awards, special invited speakers, Climate Weeks and Earth Month activities, and other high-profile convenings.
• Develop and manage project plans, timelines, production schedules, event workplans, and detailed run-of-show documents.
• Coordinate venue reservations, catering, travel, lodging, technology, registration systems, accessibility accommodations, staffing plans, and event logistics.
• Manage event budgets, monitor expenditures, and ensure responsible stewardship of resources.
• Anticipate operational challenges and develop solutions to ensure successful event delivery and positive participant experiences.
• Establish and maintain event management procedures, planning tools, and operational standards that support consistency and efficiency across OCS.
• Support on-site event management and oversee successful event execution from planning through completion.

• The role supports implementation of communications and engagement strategies developed by the Director of Communications for Climate and Sustainability and ensures effective promotion and participant communications for Climate Commitment events.
• Coordinate execution of event communications and promotional plans across multiple channels, which will require different levels of support per event.
• Develop and manage communications timelines and production schedules that support event objectives.
• Draft and coordinate event-related materials including invitations, attendee communications, event webpages, digital content, calendar listings, and promotional materials.
• Ensure timely communication with event participants before, during, and after events.
• Maintain Climate Commitment event calendars and coordinate event information across university communication platforms.
• Collaborate with OCS communications staff and university partners to ensure messaging consistency and timely promotion.