Associate Director, Signature Campus Events & Commencement

Emerson College; Massachusetts; Hybrid; USD 75,000 - 91,000; Full time

Job summary

Emerson College is seeking an Associate Director of Institutional Events & Commencement to lead the planning and execution of major ceremonies and events. This role oversees multi-day commencements, VIP platforms, and signature institutional events, while collaborating across Marketing, Student Life, and Procurement.

The position emphasizes strategic project management, vendor oversight, and post-event analysis within a hybrid Boston campus environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field and minimum related experience.
• Proven ability to manage multi-faceted, high-volume ceremonial milestones.
• Experience leveraging AI tools to enhance operations preferred.
• Experience in higher education or matrixed environments is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end execution of commencement ceremonies and related events.
• Develop master plans, timelines, budgets, and run-of-show documents.
• Coordinate communications with students, families, faculty, and leadership.
• Manage vendor contracts, registrations, and on-site coordination.
• Support Open Houses and Admitted Student Days initiatives.

Skills

Project management

Event production

Public speaking

Relationship building

Vendor management

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Theatre Production or related field

Tools

Project management software

Google Sheets / Excel

Layout software

Job description

Emerson College is seeking an Associate Director of Institutional Events & Commencement to lead the planning and execution of major ceremonies and events. This role oversees multi-day commencements, VIP platforms, and signature institutional events, while collaborating across Marketing, Student Life, and Procurement.

The position emphasizes strategic project management, vendor oversight, and post-event analysis within a hybrid Boston campus environment.