Director Of Presidential Events

POSITION TITLE: Director of Presidential Events

COMPENSATION RANGE: 60,000.00 - 75,000.00 USD per year

EMPLOYMENT CLASSIFICATION: Professional Administrative

DEPARTMENT: President's Office Operations

TARGET HIRE DATE: 8/1/2024

BENEFITS: UNC's Career Hub

To ensure full consideration, applications must be received by 11:59pm (MT) on 07/12/2024.

Position Summary:

The University of Northern Colorado seeks a highly organized, personable, creative, and energetic individual to plan and manage events hosted by the university president. The director of presidential events supports a highly visible and strongly engaged president, fulfilling a key role in contributing to the intentional and effective fulfillment of the president's vision, priorities, interests, perspective, and style. The individual provides leadership, professional expertise, and direction in the conceptualization and implementation of high-quality functions that serve students, faculty and staff, trustees, community members, and distinguished guests. This includes university-wide events, town halls and fireside chats, receptions, meetings, and casual engagements. Presidential events are highly visible and held at various locations on and off campus, including the president's residence. The director of presidential events will work closely with the chief of staff, the president's office staff and all major university divisions including but not limited to University Advancement and the division's director of university events.

The right candidate will possess a strong sense of self-awareness; superb organizational and time management skills and attention to detail; and excellent presentation, oral, and written communication skills. A person in this role must be able to contribute to multiple projects and events in various stages of development and execution. The successful candidate will also be team-oriented; committed to a presidential-level of hospitality; and possess tact, diplomacy, composure under pressure, and discretion at the highest level.

Job Duties:

60% Presidential Event Management

• Manage a portfolio of high-profile presidential events, consistent with hospitality standards, with an aim to advance the strategic priorities of the president and university.

• Oversee all logistical details of planning and executing events hosted by the university president, or sponsored by the Office of the President, including but not limited to meetings and event spaces, meals, and small and large-scale gatherings with on- and off-campus constituents.

• Coordinate and collaborate with all pertinent university staff to initiate and maintain appropriate protocols to ensure presidential and university-wide events are of the highest quality. Research, recommend, establish, and review standards and protocols for executive events, as needed.

• For all assigned events, serve as the project manager with direct responsibility for venue selection, catering, event marketing, guest communication, registration, vendor agreements, budgets, programming, technology, hospitality, and décor.

• For all assigned events, ensure accurate and complete event and constituent records, to include tracking of pre- and post-event communication.

• For all assigned events, ensure completed event budgets, accurate financial records, and full compliance with all university, state, and foundation accounting and purchasing policies.

• For all assigned events, coordinate delivery of event support and effort across conference services, facilities, procurement, and other administrative units.

• Work closely with the president's executive assistant to ensure the accuracy and currency of events on the president's calendar.

20% Event Communication and Marketing

• Coordinate event communication and marketing plans.

• For all assigned events and as requested, support the president's participation by drafting event scripts and speaking remarks and preparing event briefing material.

• Execute brand-compliant event marketing plans for assigned events.

• Produce communications content that supports activities of president across multiple platforms to include social media, video, and digital.

• Oversee annual calendar of presidential events and advise on the communication and marketing of opportunities to internal and external constituents.

10% University Event Support

• Collaborate significantly with University Events colleagues in Alumni and Community Relations.

• Support biannual university commencement ceremonies.

• Support annual recognition ceremonies and other special university events.

10% Presidential Initiatives

• Support other Office of the President initiatives and events as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

Education:

Bachelor's degree, preferably in a related field (e.g., business, hospitality, communications, marketing, public relations, etc.) (4 years of directly related professional experience may be substituted for educational requirement)

Experience:

Minimum of 5 years directly-related experience in event planning and management (or related experience) preferred, with a broad understanding and proven history of hospitality and communication techniques.

Ability:

• Ability to prioritize work and work independently, anticipating the needs of all special events.

• Outstanding organizational and project management skills with an ability to manage large, time-sensitive projects and complex timelines.

• Ability to organize work effectively on multiple projects, conceptualize and prioritize objectives, and exercise independent judgment.

• Highly developed interpersonal skills and political acumen and the ability to establish and maintain positive working relationships with faculty, staff, students, and external constituents.

• Ability to maintain a professional attitude and demeanor and to remain calm under pressure.

• Excellent judgment and decisiveness, high integrity, diplomacy, and tact.

• Demonstrated high commitment to quality.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

• Ability to exercise good judgment when dealing with confidential information.

Special Considerations:

• Ability to work evenings and weekends

• Ability to carry event/meeting supplies

• Able to lift and carry a minimum of 25 pounds to support event/meeting setups and breakdowns

Benefits:

Benefits available include health, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance, as well as a selection of several defined contribution retirement plans for all full-time positions. Employees at UNC receive sick leave, and other leave options may be available based on position. Full-time employees are eligible to receive tuition waiver benefits, as well as dependents and spouses of UNC Employees who are employed at 0.5 FTE or above are eligible for undergraduate dependent tuition grants of up to 50%. These tuition grants will cover in-state tuition charges. Further requirements may exist. Other benefits may be available based on position.

About UNC

The University of Northern Colorado is a public doctoral/research institution located in Greeley, Colorado. UNC's commitment to education began in 1889 and continues to be a transformational force for our students. According to CollegeNet's Social Mobility Index, UNC ranked #1 in social mobility (2022). UNC is also committed to providing our faculty and staff with the support they need to succeed as professionals, educators, and in life. Please visit UNC's Career Hub,to learn more about UNC's strategic plan, school programs, and employee benefits. Go Bears!

Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging

The University of Northern Colorado believes diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging is the pathway to achieving an inclusive community and fostering a campus culture where everyone can thrive. UNC supports the growth of individuals who care about race, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, lifestyle, age, educational background, national origin, religion, or physical ability - to honor the intersectionality of our campus. Please visit UNC's Career Hub to learn more about UNC's commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.

AAEO Employer

The University of Northern Colorado is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer that is committed to a culturally diverse staff, faculty, and student body.

The University will not engage in unlawful discrimination in employment or educational services against any person because of race, color, religion, gender, age, national origin, disability, or veteran status. Veteran status and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply. It is the University's policy to prohibit discrimination in employment or educational services on the basis of sexual orientation or political affiliation. The University will likewise take affirmative action to ensure that student applicants and enrolled students are treated during the enrollment at the University without regard to race, religion, gender, age, national origin, disability or veteran status. Such affirmative action shall include, but not be limited to the following: employment, upgrading, demotion or transfer, recruitment or recruitment advertising; layoff, retirement, or termination; rates of pay or other forms of compensation; and selection for training, including apprenticeship. Furthermore, the University will post in conspicuous places, notice setting forth the provisions of this University's Equal Opportunity Policy.

Federal regulations require that the University of Northern Colorado retain all documents submitted by applicants. Materials will not be returned or copied for applicants.

Background Check

Satisfactory completion of a background check, educational check, and authorization to work in the United States is required after a conditional offer of employment has been made. The successful candidate must submit original transcripts within one (1) month of hire.

This position is contingent on funding from the Colorado State Legislature, approval by the Board of Trustees, and subject to the policies and regulations of the University of Northern Colorado.

Clery Act

In compliance with the Clery Act, the most recent University of Northern Colorado Annual Campus Security and Fire Safety Report is available online. A paper copy can be requested at the UNC Police Department. This report contains crime statistics and policy statements related to safety, conduct processes and Title IX investigations.