Events and Protocol Coordinator

Responsibilities

• Plan, organize, coordinate, promote, and assist in the execution of all official Austal USA events, including christening dinners, christening ceremonies, keel‑laying ceremonies, open house, internal meetings, facility tours, and any special events as directed.
• Support large‑scale events (over 1,000 attendees) by managing invitations, tracking responses, and liaising with U.S. Navy, Congressional, and Business leadership.
• Maintain an annual calendar of scheduled events and an annual events budget, including invoice tracking.
• Provide meeting and event management support: site selection, vendor negotiations, event set‑up and design, budget estimating and tracking, registration reporting, coordination with guest speakers, and travel arrangements.
• Oversee on‑site event administration and logistics, including audio‑visual support and the creation of information packages.
• Maintain vendor, site, contract, and attendee databases and conduct post‑event surveys to gather feedback and improve services.
• Develop proficiency in MS Office 365, Canva, Swoogo, Smartsheets, and other business development programs, supporting emergent business development activities as required.
• Provide administrative support to the Growth Team, including calendar maintenance, community relations request management, invoice submission, budget tracking, and building and editing presentation decks for visits and meetings.
• Manage all visitor request forms and execute tours, visits, and events, tracking status of planning tasks and RSVP lists.
• Serve as an expert on protocol matters when interacting with Congressional, U.S. Navy, and local government leadership, providing guidance and direction to Austal executives, employees, and committees.
• Act as the liaison with the U.S. Navy for all protocol issues and provide distinguished visitor support, including scheduling, planning, coordinating activities, researching customs and courtesies, and arranging logistics and meeting support.
• Coordinate DoD‑regulation‑compliant gifts for international and domestic distinguished visitors where appropriate.
• Support all official tours of Austal USA and provide services necessary to manage communications through conferences, executive, and programmatic meetings, protocol, and distinguished visitor events.

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.
• Minimum two years of experience in managing protocol activities, office management, public relations, or executive services.
• Knowledge of public policy formulation and implementation processes.
• Knowledge of research methods and data analysis.
• Ability to exercise judgment, appraise and analyze situations, and make sound decisions.
• Working knowledge of state and local statutes, laws, and regulations governing public events, along with ethics and lobbying laws.
• Proficiency in MS Office products (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.).
• Ability to work independently, as a self‑starter, and within a team environment.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated project and time‑management skills.
• Strong sense of ownership and ability to work extended hours and travel as required.
• Adaptability in a fast‑paced, dynamic environment.

Austal USA is an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified individuals, including those with disabilities, are encouraged to apply. If you have a disability that makes completing the application difficult, please call  for assistance.

• 18 years of age or older at the time of application.
• Proof of U.S. Person Status.
• No felony convictions of theft, deception, or violent crimes within the past seven years.
• No felony convictions of drug crimes within the past three years.
• Willingness to submit to a drug screen and a background check.