Assistant Director, University Events

Assistant Director, University Events

Seattle University Seattle, WA

Seattle University will be one of the most innovative and progressive Jesuit and Catholic universities in the world, educating with excellence at the undergraduate, graduate, and professional levels. We embrace an intersectional framework for defining diversity in its broadest sense, including differences in gender, gender identity, race, ethnicity, generational history, culture, socioeconomic class, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, citizenship status, political perspectives, geographic origin and physical ability.

Seattle University strives to be a welcome, open and safe campus climate for all who learn, live and work at Seattle University.

Position Summary:

Reporting to the Sr. Director of University Events, the Assistant Director of University Events project manages fundraising, cultivation, engagement, and stewardship events to engage, deepen relationships, and recognize Seattle University constituents including but not limited to alumni, donors, faculty, staff, students, parents, and friends. This role is responsible for using expertise to partner with internal clients and subject matter experts to successfully implement impactful, engaging events that elevate the image of Seattle University.

This role is responsible for the coordination of Seattle University's most critical mission-driven VIP engagements including but not limited to events sponsored by the Offices of Advancement, the President, the Provost, and the Board of Trustees. The Assistant Director will demonstrate exceptional leadership qualities, be mission-centered, have an open, creative problem-solving approach, strong relationship-building skills, and a strong understanding of and experience with building and supporting diverse and inclusive teams.

Expert knowledge of event planning and coordinating, program development, and event production is necessary. The position requires a collaborative, resourceful and strategic thinker.

Essential Job Functions:

The Assistant Director of University Events has the following areas of responsibility:

• Responsible for high level professional production of signature university events to cultivate new donors, steward existing donors, engage students, faculty, staff and alumni, and strategically raise and increase support for the university's mission and programs.
• Collaborate with university leaders, development officers, alumni engagement officers, and subject matter experts to develop event vision and goals, messaging, team roles and responsibilities, program outlines, and communication timelines.
• Leverage project management tools to develop accurate event/project timelines and budgets, coordinate with on- and off-campus partners to manage venue contacts, catering partners, entertainment, parking, A/V, and other event logistics.
• Lead event program development, draft speaker briefs, identify and interview potential program speakers, coach program speakers, write talking points and/or scripts, and act as stage manager as assigned.
• Working with the Sr. Director for University Events and University Marcom team to oversee the development of event messaging including, but not limited to: save the date, invitation, social media, and event communication content.
• In collaboration with Mar Com, project manage video storytelling projects as needed for event production.
• Coordinate event staffing plans and communications/trainings for large­scale events. Recruit and train event leads to implement staffing plans on event day.
• Lead events colleagues and advancement teams in identifying student ambassadors to serve as volunteers for relevant events.
• Lead event stakeholders in formal and informal event debriefs. Gather qualitative and quantitative event results, analyze performance, distribute event wrap reports, and share recommendations to improve future event performance.

Other duties as assigned and as relevant to the success of events and the University Events team.

Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree plus three years' relevant experience, or 5+ years in event coordination, management, or hospitality. Exceptional project management…