Assistant Director, Events Management

Details•San Diego, CA

3h•Onsite

About The Position

The Assistant Director, Events Management oversees the Kroc School of Peace Studies’ schoolwide events portfolio, including programs hosted by the Kroc Institute for Peace and Justice (IPJ) and the Center for Restorative Justice (CRJ). The position plans, coordinates, and executes end-to-end delivery of flagship public programs, academic convenings, student and faculty events, donor and VIP engagements, and internal milestones in alignment with School priorities. The role develops event concepts and engagement plans, prepares budgets, manages vendors and contracts, and directs on-site production to ensure high-quality experiences. The incumbent works collaboratively with faculty and staff partners, exercises sound judgment, and maintains excellent service standards in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment. Creativity, diplomacy, and operational excellence are essential to success.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in communications, marketing, event management, or a related field.
At least three years of progressively responsible experience in event management, communications, and/or donor engagement.
Demonstrated ability to plan and execute large-scale events and manage complex logistics.
Demonstrated ability to think strategically about events and understand how they relate to and support other aspects of School strategy as a whole.
Strong organizational and project management skills.
Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with a wide range of stakeholders and manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
Demonstrated knowledge of event strategy, design, and execution for academic or nonprofit institutions.
Ability to integrate communications, marketing, and donor engagement goals into cohesive event plans.
Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, including comfort engaging with senior leaders, donors, and public figures.
Ability to develop and manage event budgets, contracts, and vendor relationships effectively.
Proven capacity to exercise sound judgment, discretion, and diplomacy in representing the School.
Ability to work independently with minimal supervision while collaborating effectively as part of a team.
Flexibility and composure in a fast-paced environment, including during live events and changing circumstances.
Proficiency with event management platforms, CRM systems, and standard office software.
Commitment to advancing the mission of the Kroc School of Peace Studies through excellence in public engagement and institutional convening.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree.
Four or more years of progressively responsible experience in event management, communications, or donor engagement preferred.
Experience within a higher education and/or nonprofit setting.
Knowledge of fundraising and donor engagement strategies.
Experience supervising staff or contractors.
Bilingual English/Spanish preferred.

Responsibilities

Strategic Events Planning and Management Leads the design, scheduling, and end-to-end production of major Kroc School, CRJ, and IPJ events (e.g., Distinguished Lecture Series, Kroc Pot discussions, academic convenings).
Aligns event objectives with School strategy to elevate reputation and advance engagement goals.
Coordinates with the Dean, IPJ Executive Director, CRJ co-directors, Marketing, and Advancement to utilize events for cultivation, stewardship, and alumni/community engagement.
Implement and execute pre- and post-event touchpoints (briefing notes, seating charts, talking points, follow-up communications).
Tracks event-related interactions and outcomes in the University’s CRM to inform nextstep strategies.
Establishes and tracks event success metrics (attendance, satisfaction, pipeline/activity generation, etc.) and conducts post-event assessments for continuous improvement.
Ensures compliance with University policies, accessibility standards, and risk management protocols.
Other duties as assigned by the Dean.
Communications and Branding Integration Partners with University Advancement and Communications to deliver cohesive, onbrand event campaigns across the web, email, social media, and print.
Oversees creative briefs, invitations, run-of-show content, web pages/registrations, and media coordination.
Maintains editorial and visual standards; monitors campaign performance and optimizes reach and conversion.
Operational Oversight Manages budgets, contracts, and vendor performance for Kroc School events, including the securing and oversight of any vendors during the events themselves; negotiates terms to ensure quality, value, and fiscal stewardship.
Directs logistics (venue, AV, catering, security, accessibility, travel/hosting, etc.) and onsite production.
Develops standard operating procedures, timelines, and checklists; leads after-action reviews to drive efficiencies.
Cross-Campus and Community Coordination Serves as liaison to University departments and external partners to align calendars, resources, and priorities.
Supports select School-wide or University events and special projects as assigned.