Academic Competitions and Events Manager

Academic Competitions and Events Manager

Northwood University seeks a dynamic individual with strong interpersonal skills to collaborate with faculty and institutional departments to support Academic Competitions initiatives. The Academic Competitions and Events Manager is responsible for leading, coordinating, and enhancing the university’s Academic Competitions programming, from prospective student recruitment to student‑participant experience. This position plays a key role in supporting student engagement, academic excellence, student recruitment and persistence, and institutional visibility by managing competitive teams, overseeing program operations and event logistics, and collaborating with faculty, staff, and external partners.

The position also supports other academic activities and experiential learning initiatives.

• Develop and implement a comprehensive data‑driven recruitment strategy to attract prospective student‑participants to Northwood University’s Academic Competition teams.
• Build relationships with prospective students, alumni, and external partners to increase program visibility and participation.
• Coordinate with Team Advisors to identify, organize, and attend recruitment events, such as open houses, campus visits, and virtual showcases, to highlight Academics Competition opportunities at Northwood University.
• Collaborate with Admissions team and Marketing on student recruitment initiatives and processes.
• Collaborate with Marketing and Communications to promote competitions and events through print, digital, and social media channels.
• Plan and execute Signing Days for recruited student‑participants.
• Support persistence and retention efforts for student‑participants on Academic Competitions teams.
• Monitor and report on recruitment goals and targets and persistence/retention rates.

• Oversee day‑to‑day operations of all academic competition teams, including program management and coordination, community engagement, team recruitment coordination and support, and budgeting and resource management.
• Partner with Team Advisors to train and support competition student‑participants to enhance the participation experience.
• Manage travel and event planning for Academic Competition teams.
• Provide guidance, mentoring, and coaching to students participating in competitions, in collaboration with Team Advisors.
• Plan and execute Academic Competitions events on campus to support the student‑participant experience, coordinating with Admissions and Marketing as opportunities for recruitment.
• Travel with Academic Competitions teams as needed.
• Plan and execute annual awards to celebrate team achievements and reinforce a culture of excellence and motivation.
• Support Team Advisors in planning and holding regular team meetings and practices.

• Develop annual program goals, timelines, and budgets in collaboration with department leadership.
• Evaluate program success and maintain accurate records of Academic Competitions team performance, participation rates, and program expenses.
• Identify opportunities for continuous improvement and innovation in Academic Competitions programming.
• Develop mentoring programs with local high schools and participants in Academic Competitions teams.
• Research new academic competition opportunities that align with institutional strengths and strategic priorities.
• Oversee Academic Competitions staff and Academic Competitions Team Advisor adherence to required processes and procedures.
• Complete other duties as assigned, including:
  • Provide support and coordination for academic events and academic camps.
  • Assist dean(s) in the implementation of institutional, program, and departmental initiatives.

• Uphold and promote the Northwood mission, core values, outcomes, ethics, and strategic plan.
• Think and act in the best interests of Northwood.
• Promote and practice the philosophy of the University and its commitment to the American free‑enterprise system.
• Actively support University events and initiatives that support the NU Strategic Plan and continuous improvement.
• Interact with colleagues throughout the Northwood system…