Academic Events Coordinator

University of New Mexico; Albuquerque (NM); On-site; USD 27,000 - 37,000; Full time

Job summary

University of New Mexico's Office of the University Secretary is looking for an Academic Events Coordinator to support formal ceremonies, including commencements and campus-wide events, and to assist with daily administrative duties for the University Secretary.

The role emphasizes planning, liaison with offices and external partners, meeting coordination, and budget support within a busy governance-focused environment.

Qualifications

• Experience overseeing projects and events.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and protect sensitive information.
• Technical knowledge using websites and databases to maintain records.
• Strong customer service skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Plan and coordinate activities and events.
• Serve as primary contact and liaison for event planning and execution.
• Organize meetings, schedule, and take minutes.
• Prepare written documentation and correspondence; screen and respond.
• Monitor accounting activities and assist with budget planning.
• Maintain departmental records and assist with project development.

Skills

Project oversight

Confidentiality

Technical knowledge

Customer service

Verbal and written communication

Education

High school diploma or GED

Bachelor's degree or higher may substitute for experience

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Microsoft Teams

Job description

Requisition ID req36348

Working Title Academic Events Coordinator

Position Grade 10

The Office of the University Secretary (OUS) is seeking a motivated, team-oriented coordinator with a strong enthusiasm for event planning. As a member of the OUS team, the primary role of this position is to provide support to UNM's formal academic ceremonies including university commencement, the campus-wide graduation ceremony for all students (spring and fall), First-Year Family Day (August), volunteer appreciation events, and informational fairs. The academic events coordinator will also support day-to-day administrative activities on behalf of the University Secretary, including support of faculty senate committee work.

About the Office of the University Secretary

OUS is the main source for continuity in faculty government, supporting the various aspects of faculty leadership including Faculty Senate, Academic Freedom and Tenure Committee, and Committee on Governance as well as over 25 standing and ad hoc faculty senate committees. Additionally, OUS is responsible for primary academic events including the UNM Commencement ceremonies, held in the spring and fall of each year, and First-Year Family Day, held each August. The OUS staff work as a team to support the success of these events.

Key Responsibilities

Plan and coordinate activities and events.

• Serve as a primary point of direct administrative contact and liaison with other offices, individuals, and external agencies for event planning and execution.
• Organize and facilitate meetings, including scheduling meetings and taking meeting minutes and notes.
• Composing and preparing written documentation and correspondence for the office; screening and evaluating incoming and outgoing correspondence and preparing responses, as appropriate.
• Monitoring and coordinating accounting activities as appropriate and preparing internal reports for management; participating in budget planning and management, as required.
• Gathering, entering, and/or updating data to maintain departmental records and databases and maintaining files and records for the office.
• Assisting with project development and planning to ensure more efficient service and organization of the office.

Minimum Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience with overseeing projects and/or events.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain confidentiality and protect sensitive information.
• Technical knowledge, using websites and databases to maintain departmental records and files for the office.
• Strong customer service skills.
• Verbal and written communication skills as demonstrated by cover letter.

See the Position Description for additional information.

Minimum Qualifications High school diploma or GED; at least 5 years of experience directly related to the duties and responsibilities specified.

Completed degree(s) from an accredited institution that are above the minimum education requirement may be substituted for experience on a year for year basis.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in an academic environment.
• Experience in purchasing and budget planning.
• Experience with Microsoft Office Suite and Microsoft Teams.
• Ability to multi-task and prioritize duties.
• Project management expertise.
• Experience working with or organizing volunteers.
• Experience working with a diverse group of internal and external constituents to complete projects.

Conditions of Employment

• Employees who provide services or work in patient care or clinical areas are required to be in compliance with the University's influenza vaccination requirement.

Campus Main - Albuquerque, NM

Department Ofc of the University Secretary (930A)

Employment Type Staff

Staff Type Regular - Full-Time

Status Non-Exempt

Pay Hourly: $19.56-$26.58

Benefits Eligible This is a benefits eligible position. The University of New Mexico provides a comprehensive package of benefits including medical, dental, vision, and life insurance. In addition, UNM offers educational benefits through the tuition remission and dependent education programs. See the Benefits home page for a more information.

ERB Statement As a condition of employment, eligible employees working greater than .25 FTE as determined by the New Mexico Education Retirement Act must make mandatory retirement contributions. For more information, review the Benefits Eligibility at a Glance grid.

Background Check Required Yes

For Best Consideration Date 4/29/2026

Eligible for Remote Work Yes

Eligible for Remote Work Statement This position will work primarily in-person and in-office, with some flexibility for occasional work from home (local). For more information about Remote Work Agreements, please refer to UAP 3245, Remote Work, Section 5, Establishing a Remote Work Agreement and Section 6.

Positions posted with a Staff Type of Regular or Term are eligible for the Veteran Preference Program. See the Veteran Preference Program webpage for additional details.

The University of New Mexico is committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class.

The University of New Mexico requires all regular staff positions successfully pass a pre-employment background check. This may include, but is not limited to, a criminal history background check, New Mexico Department of Health fingerprint screening, New Mexico Children, Youth, and Families Department fingerprint screening, verification of education credentials, and/or verification of prior employment. For more information about background checks, visit https://policy.unm.edu/university-policies/3000/3280.html. Refer to https://policy.unm.edu/university-policies/3000/3200.html for a definition of Regular Staff.