Strategic Events Manager

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; Chapel Hill (NC); On-site; USD 70,000 - 79,000; Full time

Job summary

The Strategic Events Manager at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill leads the planning, execution, and evaluation of high-impact events and conference initiatives. This role manages a broad portfolio to advance the center’s mission, visibility, and national reputation, coordinating across research, clinical care, education, training, and philanthropy.

The position requires strategic event planning, vendor management, budgeting, and stakeholder engagement with researchers, clinicians,

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and at least one year of related experience.
• Equivalent combination of training and experience accepted.

Responsibilities

• Plan, execute, and evaluate high-impact events and conference initiatives.
• Develop conference strategies and calendars, coordinate executive engagement opportunities.
• Manage budgets, vendor contracts, registration systems, audiovisual production, and on-site execution.
• Collaborate with communications, development, and external partners to maximize impact.

Skills

CMP certification

Event management

Healthcare/academic events

Executive-level collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Job description

Department:

Lineberger Compr Cancer Center-426801

Career Area:

Public Relations/Communications/Marketing

Is this an internal only recruitment?:

No

Posting Open Date :

09/30/2026

Application Deadline:

10/14/2026

Position Type:

Permanent Staff (SHRA)

Position Title:

University Program Specialist - Advanced

Salary Grade Equivalent:

NC14 / GN13

Working Title:

Strategic Events Manager

Position Number:

20078819

Vacancy ID:

P021421

Full-time/Part-time Permanent/Time-Limited:

Full-Time Permanent

Hours per week:

40

Work Schedule:

Monday – Friday, 8:00am – 5:00pm

Work Location:

CHAPEL HILL, NC

Position Location:

North Carolina, US

Hiring Range:

$69,900 - $78,593

Pay Band Information:

To learn more about the pay band for this branch and role, please see the Career Banding rates spreadsheet.

Notice to Applicants:

This position is not eligible for H-1B sponsorship.

Be a Tar Heel!:

A global higher education leader in innovative teaching, research and public service, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill consistently ranks as one of the nation’s top public universities. Known for its beautiful campus, world-class medical care, commitment to the arts and top athletic programs, Carolina is an ideal place to teach, work and learn.One of the best college towns and best places to live in the United States, Chapel Hill has diverse social, cultural, recreation and professional opportunities that span the campus and community.University employees can choose from a wide range of professional training opportunities for career growth, skill development and lifelong learning and enjoy exclusive perks for numerous retail, restaurant and performing arts discounts, savings on local child care centers and special rates on select campus events. UNC-Chapel Hill offers full-time employees a comprehensive benefits package, paid leave, and a variety of health, life and retirement plans and additional programs that support a healthy work/life balance.

Primary Purpose of Organizational Unit:

Our mission is to improve the health and well-being of North Carolinians and others whom we serve. We accomplish this by providing leadership and excellence in the interrelated areas of patient care, education and research.
Patient care: We promote health and provide superb clinical care while maintaining our strong tradition of reaching underserved populations and reducing health disparities across North Carolina and beyond.
Education: We prepare tomorrow`s healthcare professionals and biomedical researchers from all backgrounds by facilitating learning within innovative and integrated curricula and team-oriented interprofessional education to ensure a highly skilled workforce.
Research: We develop and support a rich array of outstanding health sciences research programs, centers and resources. We provide infrastructure and opportunities for collaboration among disciplines throughout and beyond our university to support outstanding research. We foster programs in the areas of basic, translational, mechanistic and population research.

Position Summary:

The Strategic Events Manager provides strategic leadership for the planning, execution, and evaluation of high-impact events and conference initiatives that advance the mission, visibility, and national reputation of UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center. This role manages a comprehensive portfolio of institutional events and national oncology conference engagements that support research, clinical care, education, training, philanthropy, and community outreach initiatives.
The position is responsible for developing and executing event strategies that enhance institutional visibility, strengthen stakeholder relationships, and support organizational priorities. This includes managing internal academic and leadership events such as scientific symposia, seminars, retreats, recognition programs, CME activities, donor events, and community engagement initiatives, as well as leading UNC Lineberger’s presence at major national and international oncology conferences, including AACR, ASCO, SITC, ASH, and related specialty meetings.
The Strategic Events Manager oversees all aspects of event planning and delivery, including strategic planning, logistics, vendor management, contract coordination, budgeting, registration systems, audiovisual production, speaker support, attendee communications, and on-site execution. The role ensures events align with institutional brand standards and deliver exceptional experiences for key audiences, including researchers, clinicians, referring physicians, advocacy organizations, donors, trainees, alumni, and industry partners.
This position serves as a central partner across cancer center administration, faculty leadership, communications and marketing, development teams, external agencies, and vendors to coordinate strategic initiatives and maximize the impact of events and conferences. Responsibilities include developing conference strategies and calendars, coordinating executive engagement opportunities, supporting faculty visibility and thought leadership initiatives, and measuring event effectiveness through engagement metrics, relationship development, visibility outcomes, and return on investment.
The Strategic Events Manager plays a critical role in advancing UNC Lineberger’s reputation as an NCI-designated comprehensive cancer center by creating high-quality, mission-driven experiences that strengthen relationships, showcase scientific excellence, and differentiate the institution nationally.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements:

Bachelor’s degree and one year of experience related to the area of assignment; or equivalent combination of training and experience. All degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.

Management Preferences:

• The ideal candidate is a Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) or experienced event professional with demonstrated success managing complex healthcare, academic, research, or executive-level events.
• Knowledge of CME/accredited educational event requirements.
• Experience working with senior executives, researchers and physicians.
• Familiarity with major oncology/scientific conferences including AACR, ASCO, SITC, ASH, SABCS, ASTRO, SSO, etc.
• Experience supporting an academic medical center or NCI-designated comprehensive cancer center.

Campus Security Authority Responsibilities:

Not Applicable.

Position/Schedule Requirements:

Evening work occasionally