Manager, Special Events & Student Ambassadors

The Chronicle Of Higher Education, Inc.; Orange (CA); On-site; USD 73,000 - 78,000; Full time

Job summary

Chapman University seeks a Manager of Special Events to plan and execute university events, with emphasis on University Advancement and boards involving leadership. The role conceptualizes, plans, implements, and evaluates core university events and projects.

The position leads the Student Ambassador program, overseeing recruitment, onboarding, and ongoing activities, while coordinating with campus partners to communicate university initiatives and maintain donor records.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent education and experience.
• A minimum of two years’ experience in planning and executing special events.
• Experience using event management, venue reservation, ticketing, payment processing, and advancement systems (e.g., 25Live, AudienceView, TouchNet, Blackbaud CRM, or similar systems).
• Ability to plan, coordinate, and execute logistics for special events and meetings; including coordinating vendors, travel, facilities, event materials, and related support services.
• Proven ability to exercise sound judgment and independent decision-making to carry out duties in a timely manner.

Responsibilities

• Conceptualize, Design and Implement University Advancement Special Events.
• Lead, plan, implement, and oversee logistics for assigned university events, ensuring successful delivery from concept through post event evaluation.
• Develop and utilize timelines, schedules, and databases to drive timely completion of plans.
• Negotiate and contract with vendors and venues ensuring appropriate services are delivered.
• Manage, supervise, and train the event volunteer team comprised of volunteers, students and staff.
• Collaborate with campus partners to identify effective communication strategies for internal and external audiences.

Skills

Event planning

Budget management

Vendor coordination

Communication skills

Analytical thinking

Team leadership

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent

Tools

25Live

AudienceView

TouchNet

Blackbaud CRM

Job description

Chapman University seeks a Manager of Special Events to plan and execute university events, with emphasis on University Advancement and boards involving leadership. The role conceptualizes, plans, implements, and evaluates core university events and projects.

The position leads the Student Ambassador program, overseeing recruitment, onboarding, and ongoing activities, while coordinating with campus partners to communicate university initiatives and maintain donor records.