Advancement Director of Events

Utah State University•Logan, UT

About The Position

The Advancement Director of Events (Advancement Specialist II) is an integral part of the Advancement Events Team at USU, responsible for strategically planning and executing high-quality donor-focused events that enhance engagement and foster philanthropic support. This role involves developing innovative events, collaborating with various campus units, external vendors, and the Stewardship & Donor Engagement team to ensure a seamless and impactful donor experience. The Director will oversee all event planning aspects, from conceptualization to post-event evaluation, and is committed to ensuring that events align with USU's mission and advance donor loyalty. The Director is also responsible for supporting state-wide campus system units with their donor-focused events, contributing to the effective operationalization of the Tiered Event Support Plan, and ensuring high levels of collaboration and efficiency across all event-related functions. As Advancement Director of Events, the position will help shape the donor experience and play a key role in strengthening USU's relationships with donors and alumni.

Requirements

Seven years of event planning experience OR a Bachelor's degree plus three years of relevant work experience OR an equivalent combination of education and experience
Experience in using event management software, CRM systems, and other tools for data capture and analysis.
Excellent organizational, time management, and problem-solving skills
Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to interact with internal teams, external stakeholders, and donors.
High degree of creativity, initiative, and decision-making ability.
Ability to work under pressure and manage multiple events simultaneously while ensuring high-quality outcomes.

Nice To Haves

A strong understanding of event planning principles, including budgeting, logistics, and vendor management.
Knowledge of fundraising principles, donor engagement strategies, event marketing techniques, and higher education.

Responsibilities

Collaborate with the Advancement Senior Director of Events to set strategic goals for Advancement events.
Supervise and guide student workers assisting with event logistics, data entry, and other support tasks.
Represent the Advancement Senior Director of Events in planning meetings and serve as a point of contact when necessary.
Develop and execute strategic plans for high-level donor, unit-focused, alumni, and internal events.
Evaluate event ROI to measure the effectiveness of event objectives and outcomes.
Utilize tools such as Planner Boards to recommend and plan event strategies.
Work closely with teams to ensure that event objectives align with USU’s mission and vision.
Collaborate with representatives from various USU units, departments, and external stakeholders to plan events that highlight USU’s strengths and programs.
Identify opportunities to showcase programs and engage donors through events.
Operationalize the Stewardship & Donor Engagement Tiered Event Support Plan, incorporating creative and innovative strategies to engage donors.
Act as a resource for units, providing guidance on event planning, event software usage, and data management.
Ensure that event data is captured in the CRM system to enable accurate post-event ROI analysis.
Support the efficient execution of events by adhering to best practices, managing budgets, and optimizing event workflows.