Strategic Leader, University Events & VIP Engagement

Seattle-University; Seattle (WA); Hybrid; USD 66,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work eligible

Tuition assistance (100% tuition for 1

Health plans and retirement benefits

Job summary

Seattle University seeks an Assistant Director of University Events to professionally plan, produce, and analyze high-profile events, including in-person, hybrid, and virtual formats. You will partner with campus leaders to set goals, manage budgets, and coordinate vendors, speakers, and staff while elevating the university’s mission.

Reporting to the Sr. Director, you will develop messaging, lead debriefs, and drive data-driven improvements for ROI.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree plus three years’ relevant experience, or 5+ years in event coordination, management, or hospitality.
• Exceptional project management with competing timelines and budgets.
• Strong customer service mindset.
• Familiarity with event technologies and analytics.
• Excellent written and verbal communication; ability to present and lead meetings.
• Ability to work in a diverse, intercultural organization.
• Understanding of current event trends and best practices.

Responsibilities

• Plan and execute signature university events to cultivate donors and engage stakeholders.
• Collaborate with university leaders and officers to set vision and timelines.
• Develop event timelines and budgets; coordinate venue, catering, AV, and parking.
• Lead program development, coach speakers, write talking points.
• Manage event messaging with MarCom; save-the-date to social content.
• Coordinate staffing plans and train event leads.
• Identify student ambassadors to serve as volunteers.
• Lead debriefs; analyze results and produce wrap reports.
• Develop event standards and systems; ensure compliance with goals.
• Use tools to document progress and data; create surveys for feedback.
• Prepare reports and ROI analyses; support portfolio planning.

Skills

Project management

Event planning

Vendor relationships

Communication

Strategic planning

Diversity & inclusion

Intercultural awareness

Budget management

Team leadership

Customer service

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

Social Tables

EMS

Localist

Raiser’s Edge

Eventbrite

Teams Planner

Job description

Seattle University seeks an Assistant Director of University Events to professionally plan, produce, and analyze high-profile events, including in-person, hybrid, and virtual formats. You will partner with campus leaders to set goals, manage budgets, and coordinate vendors, speakers, and staff while elevating the university’s mission.

Reporting to the Sr. Director, you will develop messaging, lead debriefs, and drive data-driven improvements for ROI.