Associate Director - Special Events

• 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 & Programs provides leadership, expertise, and direction in the planning and execution of large and small scale events and programs for a wide array of stakeholders within the School of General Studies.

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

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent required; advanced graduate degree preferred. A minimum of 5 years of related experience with working with event planning is required preferably in an academic setting.
• This position requires night and weekend availability.
• Must be able to adjust to multiple demands and shifting priorities and be a team player.
• Must possess excellent interpersonal, communication, leadership, and organizational skills.
• Knowledge of MS Office is required.

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

Columbia University is committed to the hiring of qualified local residents.