Director of Events

The Director, University Events produces key annual and signature University-wide events. Working collaboratively with the Office of the President, University Marketing Communications, faculty, staff, and University leaders, the Director is responsible for strategic planning and creative leadership of highly customized events and experiences designed to enhance engagement and celebrate the University of Minnesota. The diverse portfolio includes creating meaningful opportunities for engagement internal and external to the University for a broad range of audiences including external stakeholders and key members of the community.

The Director works closely with University leadership, driving end-to-end project life cycles for the institution's most prominent and high-impact engagement events.

This position is 100% in-person.

Please note, this position is not eligible for H-1B or Green Card sponsorship. This position does not offer a STEM OPT training program.

• Inspire, mobilize, and empower a team of (entry, supervisory, and senior manager-level) professionals that execute university events to achieve maximum results with superior professionalism and efficiency.
• Recruit, select, train, coach, and evaluate staff performance and potential.
• Identify staff training and development opportunities and work with individual staff on professional development planning and resources.
• Work closely with University leaders, including the Board of Regents, the President and her executive team, and University Marketing and Communications on all aspects of event strategies and production.
• Build work groups that feature complementary strengths and operate based on collaborative, cross-functional principles and a sense of shared purpose.
• Manage departmental budget. Prepare budgets, track, and review expenditures, identify areas for cost containment, and determine areas to reduce and expand based on ROI and organizational outcomes.

• Lead, design, and execute the University's strategic events program:
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams to formulate concepts, strategic plans, direction, and messaging.
  • Develop program recommendations and content in alignment with strategic purpose of event.
  • Maintain responsibility for flawless execution of all event logistics.
  • Maintain responsibility for superior guest service through all phases of event production; save-the-date through post-event follow-up.
  • Ensure proactive and comprehensive communication with the President's Office, senior U of M and University leadership, and collegiate units regarding event plans, logistics, scripting, travel, staff roles, and expectation.
• Provide vision and strategic direction to achieve University and organizational goals; monitor the local and national events industry to identify trends in audience expectations; evaluate opportunities and make recommendations to leadership that will achieve competitive advantages for the University.
• Collaborate with the Finance departments to maintain budgets and compliance as well as ensure optimal front-end user experiences.
• Identify outside resources when needed, direct outside resources, and negotiate vendor contracts.
• Navigate strategic and complex relationships with University partners to advance efficacy and success of University-wide events and engagement programs.
• Seek to explore and understand cultural differences and create a culture of belonging.
• Cultivate and develop inclusive and equitable working relationships with employees, colleagues, and stakeholders
• Perform other duties as assigned, delegated, or needed.

• Bachelor's degree in Communications, Theater, Public…