Events Coordinator

NMU; Gqeberha; On-site; ZAR 240,000 - 360,000; Full time

Job summary

Nelson Mandela University’s Madibaz Sport is seeking an Events Co-ordinator to plan, develop, coordinate and deliver a portfolio of high-quality sporting events hosted or presented by Madibaz Sport. The role aligns delivery with university priorities and aims to grow third-stream revenue through sponsorships, partnerships and related income-generating initiatives.

The successful candidate will manage event strategy, budgeting, stakeholder engagement and compliance, while guiding student

Qualifications

• 3-5 years of experience in sport/event environments.
• Experience delivering events in higher education is an advantage.
• Understanding of budgeting and revenue opportunities.

Responsibilities

• The Events Co-ordinator will plan, develop, coordinate and deliver a portfolio of sporting events.
• Align event delivery with Madibaz Sport and Nelson Mandela University priorities.
• Identify opportunities for income through sponsorships, partnerships and services.
• Prepare event budgets, monitor expenditure and supplier arrangements.
• Coordinate risk assessments, safety, permits and compliance.
• Lead student assistants and volunteers and ensure smooth event-day operations.
• Report post-event outcomes and recommendations for improvement.

Skills

Event planning

Project coordination

Budgeting

Stakeholder engagement

Marketing & comms

Organisational skills

Leadership

Reporting & analytics

Digital literacy

Risk management

Work under pressure

Education

Marketing degree or diploma

Job description

CORE PURPOSE OF JOB

The Events Co-ordinator will plan, develop, coordinate and deliver a portfolio of high-quality sporting events hosted, supported or presented by Madibaz Sport.

The role will align event delivery with the strategic priorities of Madibaz Sport and Nelson Mandela University, strengthen the University's profile as a destination for university and other sporting events, and identify opportunities to grow third-stream revenue through event commercialisation, sponsorship, partnerships and related income-generating initiatives.

KEY PERFORMANCE AREAS

The key performance areas for this post are to supervise all actions necessary for maintaining and preparing the outdoor sport facilities at the Nelson Mandela University Gqeberha Campuses for sporting and non-sporting activities and events, with specific attention to the following:

• Event strategy and planning: translate Madibaz Sport priorities into an annual events plan, event concepts, delivery plans, timelines and measurable outcomes.
• Coordinate the planning and execution of internal and external sporting and related events at local, regional and national level, ensuring professional spectator and stakeholder experience.
• Identify and develop opportunities to generate income through event hosting, sponsorship, partner activations, ticketing, services and other appropriate commercial opportunities.
• Build effective working relationships with internal departments, sport federations, university sport structures, sponsors, service providers, event partners, participants and other stakeholders.
• Prepare event budgets, monitor expenditure and income, coordinate procurement and supplier arrangements, and report on financial performance and value for money.
• Coordinate event risk assessments, safety and security arrangements, emergency planning, permits and compliance with relevant legislation, institutional policies and event requirements.
• Work with relevant teams to support event promotion, audience engagement, sponsor visibility and consistent representation of the Madibaz Sport and University brands.
• Guide contracted student assistants, temporary workers and volunteers, clarifying responsibilities and supporting effective event-day operations.
• Establish event objectives and performance indicators, gather feedback, assess participation and commercial outcomes, and prepare post-event reports with recommendations for improvement.

CORE COMPETENCIES

• Strong event and project planning, coordination and delivery skills.
• Understanding of event safety, risk management and applicable safety and security legislation.
• Commercial awareness, including budgeting, financial administration and identifying revenue opportunities.
• Strong stakeholder engagement, relationship management, networking and negotiation skills.
• Marketing, communication and audience-engagement capability.
• Strong organisational skills, attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• People coordination, leadership and the ability to motivate student assistants, temporary staff and volunteers.
• Clear written and verbal communication and effective reporting skills.
• Digital literacy, including Microsoft Office and relevant project-planning and event-management tools.
• Resilience, sound judgement and the ability to work effectively under pressure.
• Willingness and ability to work outside normal working hours, including evenings and weekends, when events require.

REQUIREMENTS

• Relevant M+3 qualifications (National Diploma or Degree) in Marketing or equivalent qualification.
• 3-5 Years relevant and / or working experience in a Sport environment or department.
• Experience gained delivering sporting events in a higher education institution will be an advantage.

DISCLAIMER: Nelson Mandela University is a designated employer committed to pursuing excellence, diversity, inclusion, and redress in achieving its employment equity targets. Preference will be given to suitably qualified (Race and Gender) candidates in accordance with the University's employment equity targets.

No applications will be accepted after the closing date Friday, 13 November 2026.