Director of PAE Events

Augusta University; Augusta (GA); On-site; USD 83,000 - 106,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Life insurance

Paid holidays

Tuition assistance

Job summary

Augusta University is seeking a Director of PAE Events to lead the vision, strategy, and quality standards for a portfolio of donor and alumni events. You will supervise a small team, drive strategic planning, and partner with development and engagement units to advance philanthropic goals.

The role requires a Bachelor's degree and 5+ years in event planning, with supervisory experience, and a focus on delivering transformative donor experiences across multiple campuses.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.
• 5 years of experience in event planning and execution.

Responsibilities

• Establishes and monitors KPIs for the events portfolio (ROI, donor engagement).
• Directs integration of events strategy with broader PAE initiatives.
• Oversees event budgets and fiscal responsibility while maximizing impact.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Budget management

Team leadership

Communication skills

Project management

Event design

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

CRM systems

Event technologies

Registration platforms

Job description

About Us

Augusta University is Georgia's innovation center for education and health care, training the next generation of innovators, leaders, and healthcare providers in classrooms and clinics on four campuses in Augusta and locations across the state. More than 12,000 students choose Augusta for educational opportunities at the center of Georgia's cybersecurity hub and experiential learning that blends arts and application, humanities, and the health sciences. Augusta is home to Georgia's only public academic health center, where groundbreaking research is creating a healthier, more prosperous Georgia, and world-class clinicians are bringing the medicine of tomorrow to patient care today. Our mission and values https://www.augusta.edu/about/mission.php make Augusta University an institution like no other.

About Us

Augusta University is Georgia's innovation center for education and health care, training the next generation of innovators, leaders, and healthcare providers in classrooms and clinics on four campuses in Augusta and locations across the state. More than 12,000 students choose Augusta for educational opportunities at the center of Georgia's cybersecurity hub and experiential learning that blends arts and application, humanities, and the health sciences. Augusta is home to Georgia's only public academic health center, where groundbreaking research is creating a healthier, more prosperous Georgia, and world-class clinicians are bringing the medicine of tomorrow to patient care today. Our mission and values https://www.augusta.edu/about/mission.php make Augusta University an institution like no other. Augusta University's distinct characteristics in education and research include real-world experiences and community engagement, as well as a culture of building community, corporate and government partnerships that address health, security, economic and societal concerns locally and across the state. The University System of Georgia https://www.usg.edu/hr/orientation/welcome_to_the_board_of_regents_university_system_office is comprised of our 26 institutions of higher education and learning as well as the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 8.2.18.1.2 and can be found online at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section8/C224/#p8.2.18_personnel_conduct. Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 6.5 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom found online at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section6/C2653 .

Location

Augusta University

Our Health Sciences Campus: 1120 15th Street, Augusta, GA 30912

Our Summerville Campus: 2500 Walton Way, Augusta, GA 30904

Job Summary

The Director of PAE Events serves as both a strategic leader and implementer within PAE, responsible for setting the vision, strategy, and quality standards for AU's comprehensive portfolio of donor, alumni, and campaign events. This position provides oversight of all PAE events, leading through strategic planning, innovation, and data-driven decision making to advance the university's philanthropic and engagement goals. The director leads a small team ensuring each event serves as a transformative experience that deepens donor engagement and inspires increased philanthropic support. Working collaboratively with all PAE leadership/departments, academic units, and the President's Office, this role shapes how AU recognizes, cultivates, and celebrates its philanthropic community while positioning the university as a leader in donor engagement experiences.

Responsibilities

The responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Leadership and Strategy

Establishes and monitors key performance indicators for the events portfolio, including ROI metrics, donor engagement scores, pipeline advancement, and participation rates.

Leads strategic innovation in event design through best practices, new technologies, and creative

formats to continuously elevate AU's donor and alumni experiences.

Builds and maintains strategic partnerships with PAE's development, campaign, alumni engagement, and donor engagement teams to ensure events support fundraising goals and priorities while maintaining institutional standards.

Event Planning and Implementation

Directs the integration of events strategy with broader PAE initiatives.

Oversight of Event Planning and Execution; Co-leads the strategic conception, planning, and oversees the execution of signature events.

Reviews and authorizes event budgets, maintain fiscal responsibility while maximizing impact.

Leads strategic vendor partnerships

Leads strategic vendor partnerships by establishing preferred partner relationships, negotiating master agreements, and ensuring vendors align with PAE's quality standards.

Team Management and Direction

Conducts debriefs of major events to capture feedback and drive improvement.

Responsible for personnel management including hiring, training, setting goals, and providing feedback for the PAE Events team.

Organizes workflows and ensures that all employees understand their duties and delegated tasks.

Other

Other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university and 5 years of experience in event planning and execution.

Minimum 3 Years Supervisory Experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated success in planning and executing large-scale events with VIP presence.
• Demonstrated experience in developing KPIs and metrics for events.
• Comfort interacting with C-suite leaders and major donors.
• Advanced knowledge of event production, management, and industry best practices.
• Understanding of donor engagement and stewardship principles.

Abilities

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Ability to manage multiple events simultaneously with tight timelines and high expectations.
• Ability to coordinate across multiple teams.
• Ability to tailor event experiences for high-value individuals and broad audiences.
• Ability to manage complex projects from conception through execution with minimal supervision.
• Ability to work effectively with senior university leaders, donors, alumni, volunteers, and external partners.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment, discretion, and professionalism when handling confidential or sensitive information.
• Ability to anticipate challenges, identify solutions, and adapt quickly to changing priorities.
• Strong organizational, budget management, and project leadership skills.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to build collaborative relationships across a broad group of stakeholders.
• Ability to work evenings, weekends, and travel as required.

KNOWLEDGE

• Knowledge of event planning principles, practices, and industry standards.
• Knowledge of project management methodologies and event production processes.
• Knowledge of event technologies, registration platforms, and customer relationship management (CRM) systems.

Skills

• Strong communication skills.
• Strategic thinking and long-term planning skills.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Strong organizational, budget management, and project leadership skills.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.

Shift/Salary/Benefits

Shift: Days/M-F (work outside of normal business hours will likely be required of an employee in an exempt level position)

Pay Band: B15

Salary Range: $82,800/annually - $105,600/annually

Salary to be commensurate with qualifications of the selected candidate within the established range (generally minimum-midpoint) of the position.

Recruitment Period: 9/11/26 - Until Filled

Augusta University offers a variety of benefits to full-time benefits-eligible employees and some of our half-time (or more) employees.

Benefits that may be elected could include health insurance, dental insurance, life insurance, Teachers Retirement System (or Optional Retirement Plan), as well as earned vacation time, sick leave, and 13 paid holidays.

Also, our full-time employees who have been employed with us successfully for more than 6 months can be considered for the Tuition Assistance Program.

Conditions of Employment

• All selected candidates are required to successfully pass a Background Check review prior to starting with Augusta University.
• If applicable for the specific position based on the duties: the candidate will also need to have a credit check completed for Positions of Trust and or approved departmental Purchase Card usage.
• Motor vehicle reports are required for positions that are required to drive an Augusta University vehicle.
• For Faculty Hires: Final candidates will be required to provide proof of completed academic degree(s) as well as post-secondary coursework in the form of original transcript(s). Those candidates trained by a foreign institution will also be required to provide an educational/credential evaluation.
• All employees are responsible for ensuring the confidentiality, availability, and integrity of sensitive [patient, student, employee, financial, business, etc.] information by exercising sound judgment and adhering to cybersecurity and privacy policies during their employment and beyond.

Other Information

This position is also responsible for promoting a customer-friendly environment and providing superior service to our patients, students, faculty, and employees. "Augusta University is a patient-and family-centered care institution, where employees partner every day with patients and families for success."

Augusta University is a tobacco-free environment, and the use of any tobacco products on any part of the campus, both inside and outside, is strictly prohibited.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Augusta University is proud to be an equal opportunity employer welcoming applicants from underrepresented groups, including individuals with disabilities and veterans.