Columbia University
Associate Director, Special Events
Columbia University, New York, New York, us, 10261
Job Type: Officer of Administration
Regular/Temporary: Regular
Hours Per Week: 35
Salary Range: $82,000 - $92,000
The salary of the finalist selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to departmental budgets, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, specialty, and training. The above hiring range represents the University's good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.
Position Summary
The Columbia University School of General Studies (GS) is the finest liberal arts college in the United States dedicated to making Ivy League education accessible to nontraditional students. GS was founded in 1947 on the mission of expanding access to elite higher education, and it remains the most diverse college in the Ivy League, with many transfer, first-generation, and international students. GS students are fully integrated with Columbia's broader undergraduate population and are taught by Columbia's celebrated faculty.
The Associate Director of Special Events and Programs has a significant role in key sectors of GS Student Life, working with staff and students to support and extend the excellence of undergraduate education at Columbia.
Reporting to the Associate Dean of Student Life, the Associate Director of Special Events provides leadership, expertise, and direction in the planning and execution of small to large scale events and programs for a wide array of stakeholders within the School of General Studies.
A successful candidate will demonstrate a genuine passion for event planning and the ability to translate that passion into memorable guest experiences. This position is ideal for a creative individual who thrives within a fast-paced, team environment, that includes university-wide collaboration.
Responsibilities
Special Events & Programs: Utilize project planning, meeting management, and organizational skills to oversee the execution of assigned events portfolio. Manage production elements, including A/V needs, setup, facilities, staging, and other special considerations. Serve as on-site producer/stage manager, direct staff, and manage vendors. Specific assigned events include:
Columbia Giving Day, Reunion, Alumni-Student Networking events, Alumni Mixers, the Alumni Dinner and Discussion Series, Dining with the Dean, Coffee, and Conversation with the Dean, Honor Society Induction Ceremonies, Honor Society Student Faculty Cocktail Receptions, Honor Society Dean's Seminar, Phi Betta Kappa Induction Ceremony, New Student Orientation, Graduation/GS & Postbac Class Days, Admitted Students Days, GS Scholarship Dinner, additional events for the Office of the Dean of the School, and additional events associated with international programs, veterans initiatives, academic support services, retention initiatives, Dual BA and joint program initiatives, and the Postbac Premed Program.
Serve as strategic planner responsible for proposing updates and modifications to event portfolio. Conduct ongoing evaluations of current offerings and constituent needs.
Collaborate with CU University Events Management, Facilities, and Public Safety on specific individual events.
Stay abreast of technical advances and digital opportunities. Lead efforts to increase operational efficiencies and overall team performance.
Develop relationships and coordinate efforts with appropriate internal and external audiences.
Oversees the production of marketing materials for all events and programs in collaboration with the GS Communications Office.
Disseminate timely and relevant information via event briefs, meetings, and digital communications.
This position requires night and weekend availability to staff programs and events.
Performs other tasks and projects as required.
Minimum Qualifications
A Bachelor's degree is required.
Minimum of 5 years of related experience in event planning, event logistics and production, vendor management, hospitality services, and related event support services.
Excellent customer service delivery, coordination, organization, and time management skills.
The ability to work collaboratively with staff, volunteers, and a variety of constituents is essential.
Self-starter, motivated individual who can deliver on goals independent
Demonstrated success in managing change, troubleshooting issues, and ensuring successful event execution and service delivery.
Highly collaborative team player with excellent interpersonal/emotional intelligence skills and ability to establish and maintain productive relationships with internal and external stakeholders, staff, faculty, and volunteers.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to negotiate, persuade, and build relationships.
Must be able to adjust to multiple demands and shifting priorities.
Ability to quickly develop and effectively communicate clear perspectives on event-related issues.
Knowledge of MS Office required and the willingness to learn new systems and programs.
This position requires night and weekend availability.
Preferred Qualifications
Bachelors or advanced graduate degree in hospitality, event management, or related industry.
Event management and support experience at an academic institution, hotel, conference center, or catering venue is strongly preferred.
A diverse portfolio of small to large-scale event management experience.
Prior experience supervising event staff is a plus.
Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran
Columbia University is committed to the hiring of qualified local residents.
Regular/Temporary: Regular
Hours Per Week: 35
Salary Range: $82,000 - $92,000
The salary of the finalist selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to departmental budgets, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, specialty, and training. The above hiring range represents the University's good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.
Position Summary
The Columbia University School of General Studies (GS) is the finest liberal arts college in the United States dedicated to making Ivy League education accessible to nontraditional students. GS was founded in 1947 on the mission of expanding access to elite higher education, and it remains the most diverse college in the Ivy League, with many transfer, first-generation, and international students. GS students are fully integrated with Columbia's broader undergraduate population and are taught by Columbia's celebrated faculty.
The Associate Director of Special Events and Programs has a significant role in key sectors of GS Student Life, working with staff and students to support and extend the excellence of undergraduate education at Columbia.
Reporting to the Associate Dean of Student Life, the Associate Director of Special Events provides leadership, expertise, and direction in the planning and execution of small to large scale events and programs for a wide array of stakeholders within the School of General Studies.
A successful candidate will demonstrate a genuine passion for event planning and the ability to translate that passion into memorable guest experiences. This position is ideal for a creative individual who thrives within a fast-paced, team environment, that includes university-wide collaboration.
Responsibilities
Special Events & Programs: Utilize project planning, meeting management, and organizational skills to oversee the execution of assigned events portfolio. Manage production elements, including A/V needs, setup, facilities, staging, and other special considerations. Serve as on-site producer/stage manager, direct staff, and manage vendors. Specific assigned events include:
Columbia Giving Day, Reunion, Alumni-Student Networking events, Alumni Mixers, the Alumni Dinner and Discussion Series, Dining with the Dean, Coffee, and Conversation with the Dean, Honor Society Induction Ceremonies, Honor Society Student Faculty Cocktail Receptions, Honor Society Dean's Seminar, Phi Betta Kappa Induction Ceremony, New Student Orientation, Graduation/GS & Postbac Class Days, Admitted Students Days, GS Scholarship Dinner, additional events for the Office of the Dean of the School, and additional events associated with international programs, veterans initiatives, academic support services, retention initiatives, Dual BA and joint program initiatives, and the Postbac Premed Program.
Serve as strategic planner responsible for proposing updates and modifications to event portfolio. Conduct ongoing evaluations of current offerings and constituent needs.
Collaborate with CU University Events Management, Facilities, and Public Safety on specific individual events.
Stay abreast of technical advances and digital opportunities. Lead efforts to increase operational efficiencies and overall team performance.
Develop relationships and coordinate efforts with appropriate internal and external audiences.
Oversees the production of marketing materials for all events and programs in collaboration with the GS Communications Office.
Disseminate timely and relevant information via event briefs, meetings, and digital communications.
This position requires night and weekend availability to staff programs and events.
Performs other tasks and projects as required.
Minimum Qualifications
A Bachelor's degree is required.
Minimum of 5 years of related experience in event planning, event logistics and production, vendor management, hospitality services, and related event support services.
Excellent customer service delivery, coordination, organization, and time management skills.
The ability to work collaboratively with staff, volunteers, and a variety of constituents is essential.
Self-starter, motivated individual who can deliver on goals independent
Demonstrated success in managing change, troubleshooting issues, and ensuring successful event execution and service delivery.
Highly collaborative team player with excellent interpersonal/emotional intelligence skills and ability to establish and maintain productive relationships with internal and external stakeholders, staff, faculty, and volunteers.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to negotiate, persuade, and build relationships.
Must be able to adjust to multiple demands and shifting priorities.
Ability to quickly develop and effectively communicate clear perspectives on event-related issues.
Knowledge of MS Office required and the willingness to learn new systems and programs.
This position requires night and weekend availability.
Preferred Qualifications
Bachelors or advanced graduate degree in hospitality, event management, or related industry.
Event management and support experience at an academic institution, hotel, conference center, or catering venue is strongly preferred.
A diverse portfolio of small to large-scale event management experience.
Prior experience supervising event staff is a plus.
Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran
Columbia University is committed to the hiring of qualified local residents.