Assistant Director, Event/Conference Services

Fort Lewis College•Durango, CO

1d•$60,000 - $63,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Assistant Director of Event & Conference Services provides leadership and strategic oversight for event and conference operations at Fort Lewis College. As the institution’s lead event planner, the role coordinates inclusive, high-impact events that support the College’s mission and campus and community engagement. Reporting to the Director of the Student Union, the Assistant Director oversees the planning, implementation, and evaluation of college-wide events, including Commencement, and coordinates internal and external events and conferences. The position also supervises an Event & Conference Coordinator and student employees, oversees campus scheduling and conference systems, and manages related policies, budgets, contracts, billing, and assessment. The role emphasizes exceptional service, operational excellence, accessibility, safety, and a welcoming environment for event participants.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
At least three years of professional experience in event planning, conferences, hospitality, or a related field.
At least two years of supervisory experience managing professional staff.
Demonstrated success planning and executing large-scale events, including concept development, logistics coordination, and post-event assessment.
Experience with project or program development and implementation.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and ability to learn new technology systems.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Strong organizational and time-management abilities, including the capacity to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
Budget development and fiscal management experience.
Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging, and experience working effectively with diverse populations.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree from an accredited college or university.
At least two years of experience working in higher education.
Experience managing or implementing facility scheduling or event management software.
Experience working in a collegiate setting with direct supervision of student staff.
Experience with Student Learning Outcomes and assessments.

Responsibilities

Develop and implement long-term goals and strategies for campus events and conference operations aligned with institutional priorities and the strategic plan.
Collaborate with campus departments and community partners to enhance event services and the College’s reputation.
Use independent judgment to plan and execute complex, high-visibility events; serve as the primary planner and coordinator for institutional events, including Commencement and other major campus programs.
Advise on event-related policy, strategic partnerships, and revenue-generation opportunities.
Develop and implement a sustainable summer conference strategy that balances internal and external use of campus facilities.
Lead cross-functional teams advancing initiatives that strengthen community engagement and student belonging.
Supervise and mentor one full-time Event & Conference Coordinator and supervise student employees.
Oversee scheduling systems and coordinate campus space utilization accurately.
Collect, analyze, and report event and conference data to guide strategic decisions and continuous improvement.
Collaborate with Marketing & Communications to improve visibility and branding for key institutional events.
Develop and maintain 25Live campus scheduling software and IRIS summer conference software.
Monitor program outcomes for events and summer conferences and make data-driven recommendations for departmental growth and improvement.
Develop, implement, and maintain event policies, procedures, and standards that comply with College, state, and federal regulations.
Recommend resource allocation, staffing, and operational priorities.
Oversee contracts, billing, and financial reconciliation for external events and conferences.
Identify revenue-generation and cost-recovery opportunities through strategic use of campus facilities.
Ensure event operations meet risk-management, safety, and accessibility standards.
Assist the strategic planning committee with data and metrics to identify, track, and improve strategic-plan goals.
Prepare annual reports and assessments for leadership review, identifying trends, challenges, and opportunities.
Use creative problem-solving to deliver high-quality experiences within budget and resource constraints.
Communicate effectively and provide customer service to students, faculty, staff, guests, and other community members.
Demonstrate commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and student success, fostering belonging.
Maintain knowledge of digital accessibility, including the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 508.
Perform other duties as assigned.