Assistant Director of Engagement and Special Events

Saint Leo University Brasil•San Jose, CA

5d•Onsite

About The Position

The Assistant Director of Engagement and Special Events serves as the primary coordinator of the University’s event programming and community engagement activities. This position plans, organizes, and executes a broad portfolio of on-campus events and represents the University at external community events to strengthen institutional visibility and build meaningful relationships. Approximately 70 percent of engagement activity is focused on alumni, with the remaining 30 percent directed toward community partners, business leaders, and other regional stakeholders. Beyond event execution, this role channels participants into sustained volunteer engagement through structured pathways, including College Advisory Councils, peer mentoring programs, student networking opportunities, and classroom speaking engagements.

Requirements

Excellent interpersonal, organizational, analytical, and planning skills.
Ability to work and communicate effectively, orally and in writing, with a broad range of internal and external constituents.
Demonstrated experience in event planning and logistics management, including coordinating on-campus events and representing an organization at external community events.
Ability to function autonomously as well as collaboratively within a team.
Demonstrated ability to analyze engagement data and apply insights to improve strategy.
Strong project management skills with the ability to manage multiple initiatives simultaneously.
Experience working with CRM systems such as Blackbaud Raiser’s Edge or similar platforms.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.
Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college or University.
Valid driver's license and the ability to travel and work evenings and weekends, as necessary.

Nice To Haves

Experience in event management, alumni relations, higher education, community relations, and/or nonprofit volunteer management.
Experience supporting engagement initiatives tied to annual giving, donor cultivation, or institutional community partnerships.

Responsibilities

Plan, coordinate, and execute a comprehensive calendar of on-campus events, including alumni gatherings, speaker series, galas, award ceremonies, networking receptions, and other University signature events.
Manage all event logistics, including venue coordination, vendor management, catering, audiovisual setup, attendee registration, and volunteer staffing, to ensure consistent, high-quality execution.
Represent the University at external community events to build relationships with business leaders, civic organizations, and regional stakeholders, with the goal of strengthening the University’s profile and community presence.
Identify, evaluate, and prioritize external events that offer meaningful opportunities to advance institutional partnerships and enhance the University’s visibility in the region.
Engage event attendees and community contacts in sustained volunteer opportunities, including College Advisory Councils, the Alumni Ambassadors Program, peer mentoring programs, student networking events, and classroom speaking engagements.
Recruit, train, steward, and support volunteers across engagement programs to build a sustainable pipeline of University advocates and community connectors.
Collaborate with the AVP of University Advancement to develop annual event and engagement goals aligned with University Advancement priorities, and track progress toward measurable outcomes.
Partner with campus departments, including Career & Workforce Engagement, Athletics, Academic Colleges, and Student Affairs, to co-create integrated events that connect alumni and community members with the University community.
Develop and implement alumni engagement initiatives designed to increase participation rates across the alumni lifecycle, including affinity-based programming, career networking, and young alumni outreach.
Develop and execute digital engagement strategies to promote events, increase alumni and community participation, and support volunteerism across relevant platforms.
Support campus-wide efforts by leveraging alumni and community connections to link employers, industry professionals, and civic partners with students, faculty, and academic programs across the University, in coordination with Career & Workforce Engagement and academic departments.
Collaborate with development and annual giving teams to integrate engagement activity into fundraising campaigns and align event participation with philanthropic cultivation strategies.
Identify highly engaged alumni and community contacts as potential annual and major gift prospects and support related cultivation strategies.
Support donor stewardship and recognition efforts through engagement programming and event participation.
Ensure accurate tracking of all event and engagement activities in the CRM and collaborate with Advancement Services to maintain high standards of data integrity and reporting.
Prepare regular event and engagement performance reports for University Advancement leadership and recommend strategy adjustments based on outcomes data.
Support strategy to develop and formalize community partnerships, including Memoranda of Understanding with employers, civic organizations, and regional entities, while stewarding existing relationships that advance University engagement goals and amplify institutional presence in the broader community.
Other duties as assigned.

Benefits

FREE Tuition - Employee, Spouse, and Dependents
Tuition Exchange Opportunity - Dependent of Employees
Generous Paid Leave - Sick, Vacation, and Holidays
Comprehensive Group Health Plan (Medical, Dental, and Vision)
Group Medical Plan includes Teledoc, Surgery Plus, Wellness Incentive Program and more!
100% Employer-Funded Health Reimbursement Account
100% Employer-Paid Short Term Disability Insurance
100% Employer-Funded Employee Assistance Program (healthcare and dependent options)
Employer-provided life insurance
Discounted On-Campus Dining Meal Plans
Nationwide Pet Insurance
Flexible Spending Accounts
403b Retirement Plan
Wellness Center Eligibility based on meeting required service period