Director- Events

CHANDIGARH UNIVERSITY; Mohali; On-site; INR 3,000,000 - 6,000,000; Full time

Job summary

Chandigarh University is seeking a Director for the Central Events Management Division to provide strategic leadership for planning, coordinating and executing all university events. Lead multiple high-impact events with focus on quality, safety, branding and exceptional participant experience.

The role requires 12–15 years in large-scale event management, at least 5 years in leadership, and PMP/PRINCE2 certification.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in event management or related field from a recognized institution.
• Certification in Project Management (PMP/PRINCE2) or equivalent.
• 12–15 years of experience in large-scale event management.
• Minimum 5 years in a leadership role managing institutional, corporate or government events.
• Experience in higher education institutions preferred.

Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership: Develop and implement the University's annual event strategy and master event calendar; establish SOPs and best practices; drive innovation and continuous improvement.
• Event Planning & Execution: Lead end-to-end planning and execution of institutional events (Orientation, Convocations, Conferences, Government & VIP visits, Alumni Meets, Corporate Events, Academic Functions).
• Project & Operations Management: Develop detailed execution plans, timelines and responsibility matrices; monitor milestones and readiness; ensure resources and logistics are available; lead control room operations and contingency planning.
• Stakeholder & Team Leadership: Coordinate with University leadership, academic departments, administration and external agencies; lead CEMD team, production crew, anchors, coordinators, volunteers and vendors; monitor budgets; optimize resources; manage vendor selection and contracts.
• Branding, Safety & Compliance: Ensure branding and participant experience; maintain safety compliance; oversee crowd management, risk mitigation, readiness reports, post-event analysis and audits; benchmark best practices.
• KPIs: Timely event calendar execution; budget adherence; stakeholder and participant satisfaction; compliance with quality, safety and governance; management of multiple concurrent events; continuous process improvement and innovation.

Education

Master's Degree in Event Management, Hospitality Management, Business Administration, Mass Communication, Public Relations, Operations Management or a related discipline from a recognized institution

PMP/PRINCE2 Certification

12-15 years of experience in large-scale event management

Minimum 5 years in a leadership role managing institutional, corporate or government events

Experience in higher education institutions preferred

Job description

The Director – Central Events Management Division (CEMD) shall provide strategic leadership for planning, coordinating and executing all University events. The incumbent will be responsible for delivering world-class events through meticulous planning, operational excellence, stakeholder collaboration, financial prudence, risk management and continuous innovation. The role demands the ability to lead multiple high-impact events simultaneously while ensuring quality, safety, branding and exceptional participant experience.

Key Responsibilities

1. Strategic Leadership

• Develop and implement the University's annual event strategy and master event calendar.
• Establish SOPs, quality standards and best practices for event management.
• Drive innovation and continuous improvement across all event operations.

2. Event Planning & Execution

Lead end-to-end planning and execution of all institutional events including Orientation Programme Convocations, Conferences, Government & VIP Visits, Alumni Meets, Corporate Events, Academic Functions and other University events.

Ensure seamless execution of:

• Event planning and scheduling
• Venue and stage management
• Protocol and hospitality
• Registration and audience management
• Event documentation and post-event review

3. Project & Operations Management

• Develop detailed execution plans, timelines and responsibility matrices.
• Monitor project milestones and operational readiness.
• Ensure timely availability of resources, infrastructure and logistics.
• Lead event control room operations and contingency planning.

4. Stakeholder & Team Leadership

• Coordinate with University leadership, academic departments, administration and external agencies.
• Lead and mentor the CEMD team, production crew, anchors, coordinators, volunteers and vendors.
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration and operational excellence.
• Prepare and monitor event budgets.
• Optimize resource utilization and control costs.
• Lead vendor selection, negotiations, contract management and performance evaluation.

6. Branding, Safety & Compliance

• Ensure consistency in University branding and participant experience.
• Maintain compliance with safety protocols, statutory requirements and institutional policies.
• Oversee crowd management, emergency preparedness and risk mitigation.
• Prepare event calendars, readiness reports, budgets and post-event analysis.
• Conduct event audits and implement corrective actions.
• Benchmark national and international best practices to enhance University events.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Timely execution of the approved event calendar.
• Budget adherence and optimal resource utilization.
• High stakeholder and participant satisfaction.
• Compliance with quality, safety and governance standards.
• Effective management of multiple concurrent events.
• Continuous process improvement and innovation.

Educational Qualification

• Master's Degree in Event Management, Hospitality Management, Business Administration, Mass Communication, Public Relations, Operations Management or a related discipline from a recognized institution.
• Certification in Project Management (PMP/PRINCE2) or Professional Event Management.
• 12-15 years of experience in large-scale event management.
• Minimum 5 years in a leadership role managing institutional, corporate or government events.
• Proven experience in planning and executing large, high-profile events involving multiple stakeholders and complex logistics.
• Experience in higher education institutions will be preferred.