College Events and Protocol Director

Franklin & Marshall College; Lancaster (Lancaster County); On-site; USD 66,000 - 81,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health coverage

Dental coverage

Vision coverage

Retirement plan

Education benefits

Job summary

Franklin & Marshall College is seeking a College Events and Protocol Director to provide strategic vision and leadership for major college-wide ceremonies and presidential events on the Lancaster campus.

The role coordinates governance, risk management, branding, and cross-department collaboration while overseeing budgets, vendors, and staff to deliver distinguished, campus-wide events aligned with the college mission.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; preferred in event management, hospitality, communications, PR, business administration, or related field.
• At least 5 years of progressive project management, executive event planning, and institutional protocol experience.
• Experience directing large-scale ceremonial and executive events.
• Ability to lead cross-functional teams and manage timelines.

Responsibilities

• Direct planning, coordination, and execution of ceremonies and presidential events, including Commencement and Convocation.
• Coordinate VIP protocol, host logistics, and event briefings with executive leadership.
• Establish college-wide event standards and calendars to avoid scheduling conflicts.
• Develop and manage operating budgets and negotiate high-value contracts with vendors.
• Partner with Dining Services, Facilities, ITS/AV, Public Safety to ensure safety and compliance.
• Recruit, train, and manage event staff and student workers.
• Represent the Communications and Marketing division on committees.

Skills

Leadership

Event planning

Communication

Public relations

Budget management

Education

Bachelor's degree in relevant field

Master's degree preferred

Tools

Google Workspace

Job description

Category: Communications & Marketing

Department: Office of Communications & Marketing

Locations: Lancaster, PA

Type: Exempt

Position ID: 205101

Job Description

Location: Lancaster, PA Category: Communications & Marketing Job Type: Exempt Posted On: Fri Sep 25 2026 Job Description:

Job Details

• Location: F&M Campus - Lancaster, PA
• Classification: Full-time, Exempt
• Schedule: 40 hours, Monday - Friday. Will require evenings and weekends.
• Reports to: Vice President of Communications and Marketing.
• Department: Office of Communications and Marketing
• Approved Annual Salary Range: Approved up to $73,500.00 annually

Job Description

The College Events and Protocol Director provides strategic vision, executive leadership, and comprehensive management and coordination for major college-wide ceremonies, high-profile institutional events, all presidential events, and strategic initiatives. Reporting to the Vice President for Communications and Marketing, this role ensures all events reflect the College's mission, brand standards, and level of excellence while providing a dignified experience for all attendees.

The Director establishes and manages campus-wide event governance, protocols, and standard operating procedures. Exercising dotted-line functional authority over event planning personnel across all academic and administrative units, the Director oversees cross-departmental coordination, master calendar alignment, risk management, and brand execution across all campus events. The Director also personally coordinates events for the Office of the President, including events at Nevonia, the president's residence.

Essential Functions

• Ceremony and Institutional Event Management: Direct the strategic planning, coordination, and execution of College ceremonies and presidential events, including Commencement, Convocation, December graduation, Board of Trustees meetings, ancillary/advisory board meetings, various ceremonies and celebrations, and events at Nevonia, the president's house. Manage logistics and maintain a direct, hands-on presence for execution, run-of-shows, seating, staging, audiovisual production, catering, vendor contract negotiations, and post-event assessments.
• Presidential events and VIP Protocol Liaison: Serve as the chief liaison between Communications and Marketing, the Office of the President, Advancement, and hosting units for events involving executive leadership. Lead operational execution, protocol guidelines, run-of-shows, and host logistics for events involving the President, Trustees, distinguished donors, and external dignitaries, while collaborating with the Strategic Communications Director on event briefings, talking points, speeches, and messaging.
• Campus Event Governance and Dotted-Line Leadership: Serve as the functional leader and central authority and facilitator for event planners across all units of the College. Establish college-wide event standards, best-practice toolkits, and training; maintain oversight of the institutional master event calendar to eliminate scheduling conflicts, promote sustainable, eco-friendly event practices when possible, and align college brand messaging.
• Budget and Vendor Management: Develop and manage operating budgets associated with signature ceremonies and institutional events, monitoring expenditures and negotiating high-value contracts with key campus vendors (e.g., printing, catering, security, florists, rental companies).
• Event Operations, Safety, and Compliance: Serve as the primary operational partner to Dining Services, Facilities, ITS/AV, Public Safety, and Accessibility Services to establish emergency action plans, weather contingency plans, and ADA compliance standards for major public gatherings.
• Team Recruitment and Leadership: Recruit, train, mentor, and manage event support teams, including student workers, staff partners, and volunteers, fostering professional development and high service standards.
• Institutional Representation: Represent the priorities of the Communications and Marketing division and executive leadership by serving on designated College committees.
• All other duties as assigned.

Job Requirements

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree, with preferred specialties' in event management, hospitality, communications, public relations, business administration, or a related field.
• At least 5 years of progressive project management, executive event planning, and institutional protocol experience.
• Demonstrated experience directing large-scale ceremonial, high-profile, and executive events.
• Demonstrated capability to exercise matrixed leadership, establish timelines, and build effective relationships with campus stakeholders.
• Excellent oral, written, interpersonal communication skills.
• Proficiency in Google Suite Products (Docs, Gmail, Sheets, Slides, Drive)
• Evidence of a commitment to community & belonging.
• Valid driver's license.
• Successful interview.
• Successful completion of background checks.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in communications, marketing, higher education administration, or related discipline.
• Prior professional work experience supporting executive leadership or central communications within a higher education environment, ideally at a small liberal arts college.
• 7 or more years of experience in high-level event management and institutional governance.

Additional Information

Offers of employment are contingent upon the successful completion of reference checks, a criminal background verification, and verification of credentials. The College will coordinate these verifications.

Full-time members of the Franklin & Marshall College professional staff receive competitive starting pay and a comprehensive benefits package that includes health coverage, dental, vision, generous retirement savings plan contributions, education benefits for employees, spouses and dependent children, and enjoy access to all College facilities including dining venues to suit all tastes, recreation and fitness facilities, and libraries, plus access to College performances, lectures, and events. To learn more about our Benefits, please visit our Benefits Page.

Franklin & Marshall College is committed to having an inclusive campus community where all members are treated with dignity and respect. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, the College does not discriminate in its hiring or employment practices on the basis of gender/gender-identity, sex, race or ethnicity, color, national origin, religion, age, disability, veteran's status, genetic information, family or marital status, sexual orientation, or any other protected class.