Special Events/Alumni Affairs Coordinator
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Benefits offered by this job
Job summary
The University of South Carolina is seeking a Special Events/Alumni Affairs Coordinator for the College of Education in Columbia. This role leads planning, execution, and promotion of events that engage students, faculty, alumni, and partners, and supports the Dean’s priorities and university goals.
Responsibilities include coordinating events like the Champions of Education Gala, Homecoming, and Scholarships Luncheon, managing budgets and vendor relations, and driving alumni engagement while
Qualifications
- Requires a bachelor’s degree in a job related field and 3 or more years of job related experience.
- Experience with event planning in higher education preferred.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills; ability to liaise with internal and external stakeholders.
Responsibilities
- Plan, organize and execute College of Education events, including major galas and homecoming.
- Oversee alumni activities, donor stewardship and engagement initiatives.
- Manage event budgets, forecasts, vendors, contracts and promotional materials.
- Maintain attendance records, evaluate events, and prepare post-event reports.
Skills
Education
Tools
Job description
Positions are advertised for a minimum of five (5) business days on our job website. After five (5) business days, positions can be closed at the discretion of the department at any time. This employment site is updated on a regular basis. The length of the recruitment and screening process may vary from position to position, depending upon a variety of factors. Should review of your qualifications result in a decision to pursue your candidacy, you will be contacted by phone or email.
We are only accepting applications submitted by April 30, 2026.
The University of South Carolina offers a valuable benefits package including but not limited to:
- Health and Life Insurance
- Retirement Programs
- Paid Tuition
- 13 Paid Holidays (including an extended December holiday)
- Professional Development Opportunities
Click here to learn more about why you should work at USC.
Business Title (Internal Title) Special Events/Alumni Affairs Coordinator
Campus
Campus Columbia
Work County
College/Division
College/Division College of Education
Department
Department CED College of Education
State Pay Range
State Pay Range G10
USC Market Range
USC Market Range MRG - $57,779 $72,224 $86,669
Anticipated Hiring Range
Anticipated Hiring Range Salary commensurate with qualifications.
Location of Vacancy
Part/Full Time
Part/Full Time Full Time
Hours per Week 37.5
Work Schedule
- Must be willing to work a flexible schedule to meet the needs of the department.
Basis
Basis 12 months
Job Search Category
Job Search Category Alumni Development
About USC
About University of South Carolina
From the Upstate to the Lowcountry, the University of South Carolina system is transforming the lives of South Carolinians through the impact of our eight institutions and 20 locations throughout the state. More than 50,000 students are enrolled at one of eight institutions, including the research campus in Columbia and comprehensive four-year universities in Aiken, Upstate and Beaufort. In addition, our Palmetto College campuses in Salkehatchie, Union, Lancaster and Sumter enable students to earn associate or bachelor’s degrees through a combination of in-person, online or blended learning. All of our system institutions place strong emphasis on service — helping to build healthier, more educated communities in South Carolina and beyond.
Veterans' Preference Statement
The University of South Carolina is committed to equal opportunity and proudly values the skills and experience military veterans bring to our workforce. Across South Carolina, we are making veterans a priority for employment and recognize their vital contributions to our state and our communities.
Posting Summary Logo Posting Number STA00159PO26 Job Family Alumni Relations and Development Job Function Alumni Relations USC Market Title Alumni Affairs Coordinator Link to USC Market Title https://uscjobs.sc.edu/titles/138264 Job Level P3 - Professional Business Title (Internal Title) Special Events/Alumni Affairs Coordinator Campus Columbia Work County Richland College/Division College of Education Department CED College of Education State Pay Range G10 USC Market Range MRG - $57,779 $72,224 $86,669 Anticipated Hiring Range Salary commensurate with qualifications. Location of Vacancy Columbia, SC (On site) Part/Full Time Full Time Hours per Week 37.5 Work Schedule
- Standard working schedule: 8:30am – 5:00pm
- Must be willing to work a flexible schedule to meet the needs of the department.
Veterans' Preference Statement
The University of South Carolina is committed to equal opportunity and proudly values the skills and experience military veterans bring to our workforce. Across South Carolina, we are making veterans a priority for employment and recognize their vital contributions to our state and our communities.
Benefits for FTE Positions The University of South Carolina (USC), through the State of SC and Public Employee Benefit Authority (PEBA), offers employees a valuable benefits package, including health and life insurance, generous paid leave and retirement programs. To learn more about USC benefits, access the "Working at USC" section on the Applicant Portal at https://uscjobs.sc.edu. Research Grant or Time-limited positions may be eligible for all, some, or no benefits, based on the grant or project funding.
Position Description Advertised Job Summary Special Events/Alumni Affairs Coordinator for the College of Education plays a key role in planning, organizing, and executing a wide range of events, while also leading promotional strategies to drive strong attendance and engagement. Working closely with the Dean’s Office, this role supports the College’s priorities around special events, alumni relations, and related initiatives. This position will draw on best practices in alumni and external relations to help implement programs and strategies that highlight the College’s activities, initiatives, and impact to key audiences. The ideal candidate will bring exceptional organizational skills, strong communication abilities, and a passion for creating meaningful and memorable experiences for the College of Education community.
Job Related Minimum Required Education and Experience
- Requires a bachelor’s degree in a job related field and 3 or more years of job related experience, which may be substituted by an equivalent combination of job related certification, training, education, and/or experience.
Required Certification, Licensure/Other Credentials Preferred Qualifications
- Event planning experience in an educational setting in higher education.
Knowledge/Skills/Abilities
- Must be able to be reached at other than normal work times.
- Must be willing to work after hours and weekends for events.
- Ability to plan, organize, and execute events of varying scales.
- Attention to detail to ensure all elements of the event, such as venue, catering, audiovisual equipment, permits, and security, are properly arranged.
- Flexibility and adaptability to handle unexpected changes or challenges during events.
- Creativity in designing promotional materials and campaigns that resonate with the college community.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills to effectively liaise with internal stakeholders, external vendors, sponsors, and attendees.
- Ability to think creatively and innovatively to design unique and engaging events that resonate with the college community, students, employees and alumni.
- Quick decision-making skills and the ability to remain calm under pressure to address any emergencies or unforeseen issues during events.
Job Duties Job Duty Event Planning / Execution: Spearhead the planning and execution of all College of Education development events, including the Champions of Education Gala, annual Homecoming celebration, Scholarship Luncheon, Retired Faculty Luncheon, and Treats with the Dean visits. Collaborate with university departments, student organizations, and external partners to conceptualize, plan, and execute a wide range of events that align with the university’s mission, values, and strategic priorities. Coordinate all logistical aspects of events, including venue selection, scheduling, room setup, catering, audiovisual equipment rentals, transportation, photography coverage, and on-site coordination. Develop detailed event timelines, budgets, and production schedules, ensuring all resources are allocated efficiently and deadlines are met. Liaise with campus facilities management, security, and other relevant departments to obtain necessary permits, approvals, and support services for events. Provide guidance and support to event organizers, volunteers, and student leaders to ensure successful event execution and adherence to university policies and procedures. Spearhead and oversee alumni activities and services, including reunions, alumni interest groups, vendor relations, meeting coordination, and communication management. Plan alumni cultivation events and activities, contribute to the COE Alumni LinkedIn Group as needed, and oversee content and engagement on the College of Education Facebook Alumni page.
Essential Function Yes Percentage of Time 45 Job Duty Vendor and Stakeholder Management: Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with vendors, partners, sponsors, and other stakeholders to secure resources, support, and sponsorship opportunities for events. Negotiate contracts and agreements to ensure favorable terms and mutually beneficial partnerships. Coordinate with internal departments and external partners to fulfill sponsor obligations, deliver promotional benefits, and maximize visibility and return on investment. Serve as the primary point of contact for vendors and event partners, addressing inquiries, resolving issues, and fostering positive, long-term relationships.
Essential Function Yes Percentage of Time 5 Job Duty Promotional Strategy: Design and implement strategic promotional campaigns to increase event awareness and participation among students, faculty, alumni, and the broader community. Utilize a variety of marketing channels—including social media, posters, email communications, and campus-wide announcements—to effectively promote events. Collaborate on the development of marketing materials and collateral pieces, such as programs, invitations, and Eventbrite event pages, to ensure consistent branding and engagement.
Essential Function Yes Percentage of Time 15 Job Duty Budget and Alumni Relations Database System Oversight: Develop and manage event budgets, forecasts, and financial projections, ensuring expenditures are within approved budgets and financial goals are met. Monitor expenses, track financial transactions, and reconcile invoices and receipts in a timely manner, maintaining accurate records and documentation. Identify cost-saving opportunities, negotiate pricing with vendors, and implement budget optimization strategies to maximize cost-effectiveness and efficiency. Maintains the Development and Alumni Relations database system, known as Blackbaud CRM , and runs specific queries and reports.
Essential Function Yes Percentage of Time 10 Job Duty Evaluation and Reporting: Conduct post-event evaluations to assess successes, challenges, and areas for improvement.Solicit feedback from attendees, volunteers, and stakeholders to gauge satisfaction and gather suggestions for future events.Maintain accurate records of event attendance, feedback, and performance metrics for future reference and analysis.Utilize data analytics tools to extract insights from promotional campaigns and attendee demographics, informing targeted marketing strategies. Generate reports and presentations summarizing key findings and recommendations for optimizing future events and promotional efforts to senior leadership.
Essential Function Yes Percentage of Time 5 Job Duty Contributes to college efforts by performing other duties assigned or required. Essential Function Yes Percentage of Time 5
Job Duty Recognition and Stewardship of Alumni & Donors: Develop and manage alumni engagement and donor stewardship initiatives for the College of Education, including identifying and nominating alumni for university recognition opportunities, coordinating donor acknowledgments, overseeing thank-you communications and calls, maintaining the annual Honor Roll of Donors and Dean’s Circle, and producing two student-centered thank-you videos each year—one in the spring and one in the fall. Feature a distinguished alum monthly through a written story or Q&A article to strengthen alumni connections and highlight their impact.
Essential Function Yes Percentage of Time 15
Position Attributes Employees in Safety-Sensitive or Security-Sensitive positions will be subject to pre-employment and post-employment drug testing in accordance with University policy HR 1.95 Drug and Alcohol Testing. Safety Sensitive or Security Sensitive No
Hazardous weather category Non-Essential
Posting Detail Information Number of Vacancies 1 Desired Start Date Job Open Date 03/16/2026 Job Close Date 04/30/2026 Open Until Filled No
Special Instructions to Applicant Positions are advertised for a minimum of five (5) business days on our job website. After five (5) business days, positions can be closed at the discretion of the department at any time. This employment site is updated on a regular basis. The length of the recruitment and screening process may vary from position to position, depending upon a variety of factors. Should review of your qualifications result in a decision to pursue your candidacy, you will be contacted by phone or email. We are only accepting applications submitted by April 30, 2026. The University of South Carolina offers a valuable benefits package including but not limited to:
- Health and Life Insurance
- Retirement Programs
- Paid Tuition
- Dependent Scholarships
- Annual Leave
- Sick Leave
- 13 Paid Holidays (including an extended December holiday)
- Paid Parental Leave
- Professional Development Opportunities
Click here to learn more about why you should work at USC . Quicklink for Posting https://sc-sb.peopleadmin.com/postings/203491 EEO Statement The University of South Carolina does not discriminate in educational or employment opportunities or decisions for qualified persons on the basis of age, ancestry, citizenship status, color, disability, ethnicity, familial status, gender (including transgender), gender identity or expression, genetic information, HIV /AIDs status, military status, national origin, pregnancy (false pregnancy, termination of pregnancy, childbirth, recovery therefrom or related medical conditions, breastfeeding), race, religion (including religious dress and grooming practices), sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other bases under federal, state, local law, or regulations.
Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
- * Do you have at least a Bachelor's degree in a job related field and 3 or more years of job related experience, which may be substituted by an equivalent combination of job related certification, training, education, and/or experience?
- Yes
- No
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