Director of College Ceremonies & VIP Protocol

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

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.