Associate Director of Events
Listed on 2026-06-03
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Creative Arts/Media
Digital Media / Production
Job Details
Location:
Forest Grove Campus - Forest Grove, OR 97116
Position Type:
Exempt
Job Category:
Faculty and Staff
Pacific University achieves excellence and distinction by investing in exceptional people to think, care, create, and pursue justice in our world. We embrace discovery in a close and nurturing environment that leads to genuine transformation. Our community is diverse, sustainable, and dedicated to discovery and excellence in teaching, scholarship, and practice.
At Pacific University, we thrive in an extraordinary environment, surrounded by the beauty of the great Pacific Northwest, with campus locations in Forest Grove and Hillsboro. We humbly acknowledge and thank the original caretakers of the lands on which we live, work, teach, and acquire and share knowledge.
Salary Range: $58,000 - $65,000
Reports to:
AVP for Marketing and Communications
The Associate Director of Events leads the planning, creative design, and execution of the university’s most visible and mission-critical Advancement events, including galas, presidential events, campaign-related events, donor stewardship gatherings, and namings and dedications. This role also partners with campus colleagues to support major campus-wide events such as commencement, lectures, and community-facing events. The Associate Director operates with autonomy and accountability, translating institutional priorities into high-impact, hospitality-driven experiences that strengthen relationships, build community, and elevate the university’s brand.
Responsibilities- Leads the creative vision and experience design for high-profile Advancement and signature events (galas, presidential events, campaign-focused events, donor stewardship, namings and dedications, and other high-visibility moments).
- Develops event concepts that elevate the university’s brand, mission, and storytelling to create memorable, emotionally resonant experiences.
- Partners with University Advancement leadership, the President’s Office, and campus stakeholders to design experiences supporting fundraising, stewardship, and campaign objectives.
- Ensures events reflect a strong hospitality lens, prioritizing guest experience before, during, and after each event.
- Provides end-to-end leadership from concept to post-event follow-up for assigned signature events.
- Oversees logistics including venues, production, catering, AV, décor, run of show, guest flow, accessibility, and on-site experience.
- Acts as lead on-site manager for major events, ensuring seamless execution and problem-solving in real time.
- Establishes event standards, templates, and best practices for signature Advancement events.
- Designs and manages high-touch experiences for donors, trustees, university leadership, and distinguished guests.
- Collaborates with development officers, alumni relations, and corporate relations to advance donor cultivation and campaign goals.
- Works with the President’s Office and senior leadership to align goals, messaging, protocol, and hospitality standards.
- Anticipates VIP needs, protocol considerations, and relationship moments.
- Manages complex event budgets and ensures fiscal responsibility.
- Leads vendor selection, contract negotiation, and relationship management for signature events.
- Develops detailed project plans, timelines, and production schedules for multiple concurrent events.
- Ensures delivery of contractual obligations and service standards.
- Provides strategic partnership to Development, Alumni Relations, Marketing & Communications, and campus leaders to integrate events into broader engagement and fundraising.
- Collaborates with Facilities, Public Safety, and other departments for safety and operational excellence.
- Supports major campus-wide events while maintaining primary responsibility for signature Advancement events.
- Advises campus partners on event experience design for donor-facing moments.
- Evaluates events using qualitative and…
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