Associate Director Of Special Events

Req Id: 31209

Job Title: Associate Director of Special Events

Job Description:

Job Summary

The Dean of the College of Engineering at Purdue University seeks a highly motivated professional to lead, plan, and execute signature, high-profile events that celebrate the pride and passion of the College of Engineering. Events range from gatherings of students, faculty, and staff to high-profile meetings and visits from Nobel Laureates and astronauts to Federal and state officials to industry executives, at times with short notice and quick turnaround. This is a challenging but attainable position - it is exciting, highly visible, and plays an important role in the College's Vision 2030 goals. If you are a versatile and seasoned professional with a creative and organized disposition who enjoys being diplomatic and finding solutions to what seems like an impossible situation, this is your opportunity to showcase your talents!

We are excited to be celebrating the 150th anniversary of engineering at Purdue in the coming academic year, and you will get to help us write that history in the great book of Purdue Engineering! You will collaborate with the 150th Implementation Team, led by the Deputy Chief of Staff and an esteemed faculty member, on how to get it done. We will kick off the year of celebration by sponsoring the Purdue Notre Dame game on September 14, 2024. We will end the yearlong celebration with extraordinary guests in the Fall of 2025, with lots of ceremonies and events in between. Have clever ideas? This will be a terrific opportunity to try them out!

We are rolling out a new young alumni award program called 38x38. This is an opportunity to shape the event to your creative design. The Purdue Engineering Initiatives (PEIs) are ramping up for additional events in DC, which is another opportunity for you to shine. During the year, you will create student, faculty, and staff ceremonies; conferences, seminars, and workshops; groundbreaking events; and occasional virtual celebrations.

As the Associate Director of College Events, you will have the opportunity to work with leaders from inside the College of Engineering, across the University, and with individuals from outside organizations to gather information, develop and communicate plans and agendas, develop innovative event concepts and themes that align with the event's objective and purpose, and execute the events. You will have creative direction for the events with input from event owners and work with vendors and suppliers to secure services and products necessary for successful event execution. You will coordinate with the Chief of Staff to develop and manage event budgets, ensuring that expenses are within the allocated budget and seeking cost-effective solutions when necessary. Given the wide variety of extensive events, you need to be an organized and flexible team player. You will work with other team members and direct and outline their roles as needed.

This will also be a hybrid eligible position, with the expectation of a majority of on-campus time. You will also have the opportunity to travel occasionally.

Who We Are

The College of Engineering at Purdue University is among the best and largest Engineering schools in the world. With nearly 16,000 engineering students and more than 500 tenure track faculty in the college, this position has ample opportunity to have an impact at one of the world's most influential universities.

For more information about our department, please visit:

• College of Engineering, Purdue University https://engineering.purdue.edu/Engr

• External Recognitions Program https://engineering.purdue.edu/Engr/People/Awards

• College of Engineering's Social Media https://engineering.purdue.edu/Engr/AboutUs/social

Tools and Resources

You will have access to the resources you need to make all this happen. Not only will you be a supervisor to an Events Specialist (who will handle a lot of execution at your direction), you will be a part of the team of the Chief of Staff, with the support of a full communications department, a data analytics department, and a tight-knit and experienced administrative staff, as well as student staff.

We encourage you to work with caterers and providers that create menus and events that are progressive and reflect the farm fresh culinary landscape of the Midwest, with a focus on local, seasonal ingredients and innovative flavor combinations that bring a coastal twist. We often work with the on-campus Marriott Autograph Collection Hotel. You are even encouraged to work with vendors throughout the state and Chicago.

Software? Technology? Is there something you've been using you'd like to use here to help you get the job done? Let us know.

Qualifications

This position requires quick thinking, problem-solving and decision-making skills with a touch of diplomacy, all while adapting to the rapidly changing nature of an event.

We need you to develop event strategy, goals, budgets, and operational plans. You will oversee events staff and student workers, site location, contract negotiation, food and beverage management, event logistics, and onsite management. You will leverage your deep expertise to produce creative, memorable, high-caliber events that support the College of Engineering mission, create a positive and memorable experience for attendees, and good operational flow.

Required:

• Bachelor's Degree in business, communications, marketing, public relations, hospitality management, or other relevant discipline

• Eight (8) years of experience in event planning, project/program management, or higher education

• Equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered

• Must demonstrate strong planning, problem-solving, critical thinking, and project management skills

• Must possess ability to multitask, handle frequent interruptions, and meet deadlines

• Must be detail-oriented and exhibit excellent organizational, time-management, and interpersonal skills

• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook (email/calendaring), SharePoint, and Zoom. Superior customer service orientation

• Ability to represent the university and the Dean's Office with tact and diplomacy

• Ability to make sound judgments, assume responsibility and handle confidential information

• Ability to influence and build working relationships among a diverse workforce at all levels

• Strong oral and written communication, including telephone etiquette, planning, proofreading, and editing

• Ability to identify and determine problems, analyze information, and implement solutions

• Ability to both work independently and contribute to a team environment.

Additional Information:

• Purdue will not sponsor employment authorization for this position

• A background check will be required for employment in this position

• FLSA: Exempt (Not Eligible For Overtime)

• Retirement Eligibility: Defined Contributions immediately

• Purdue University is an EOE/AA employer. All individuals, including minorities, women, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply

Apply now

Posting Start Date: 4/16/24