Athletics Special Events & Community Engagement Coordinator

California State University, Bakersfield • Bakersfield, CA

24d • Onsite

About The Position

Under the general supervision of the Director of Athletics, the Athletics Special Events & Community Engagement Coordinator supports all revenue generation and community engagement initiatives for CSU Bakersfield Athletics. The position is responsible for organizing and executing all fundraising and alumni events while managing stewardship and fulfillment for donors, sponsors, and ticket holders. Additionally, the position provides direct support for ticket operations, including system administration, sales functionality, and box office coordination. Through collaboration with internal and external stakeholders, the role ensures consistent communication, follow through, and compliance with applicable policies and NCAA regulations to enhance community engagement and revenue generation for CSUB Athletics.

Requirements

• EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE – Equivalent to a bachelor’s degree in a related field and two years of relevant experience. Additional experience which demonstrates acquired and successfully applied knowledge and abilities may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis. An advanced degree in a related field may be substituted for the required experience on a year-for year basis.
• LICENSES – Possession of a valid driver’s license or the ability to obtain by date of hire.
• Regular and reliable attendance is required.
• Knowledge of event management principles including pre-event planning, on-site execution, contingency planning, and post-event evaluation for large-scale, high-visibility events.
• Demonstrated skill in developing and coordinating event logistics involving venues, catering, audiovisual production, décor, registration systems, and crowd flow.
• Working knowledge of event risk management and safety protocols, including coordination with facilities, campus police, and risk management offices.
• Skill in organizing, maintaining, and monitoring event-related budgets, including forecasting costs, monitoring expenditures, processing invoices, and reconciling accounts in collaboration with business offices.
• Working knowledge and understanding of athletics department financial management, event coordination, and athletics regulations.
• Demonstrated competence in independently applying judgment to resolve complex problems and issues.
• Working knowledge and skill in applying and interpreting National, NCAA, and Conference rules and regulations as well as university policies, standards, and guidelines.
• Ability to make recommendations based on interpretations and principles of athletics professional practices.
• Strong analytical and organizational skills to organize, prioritize, and facilitate the successful completion of athletic events within time and budget constraints.
• Ability to effectively provide lead work direction to others.
• Public and internal relations skills to effectively partner with a large and diverse group of internal and external stakeholders.
• Demonstrated customer service experience requiring a very high level of diplomacy and professionalism.
• Ability to use tact and diplomacy to effectively handle a broad range of high level and sensitive interpersonal situations with diverse personalities, and to respond appropriately to conflicts and problems.
• Ability to initiate, establish, and foster communication and teamwork by maintaining a positive, cooperative, productive work atmosphere in the University with the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships within a diverse population and with those from various cultural backgrounds.
• Excellent communication skills; ability to effectively communicate information in a clear and understandable manner.
• Thorough knowledge of English grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
• Ability to interpret, communicate and apply policies and procedures.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain a high degree of confidentiality.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills with the ability to set own priorities to coordinate multiple assignments with fluctuating and time-sensitive deadlines.
• Excellent computer skills and competence with a variety of computer applications including word-processing, spreadsheets, databases, on-line systems, Internet as well as online calendaring and email.
• Working knowledge of or ability to quickly learn University infrastructure, policies, and procedures.
• Must be willing to travel and attend training programs off-site for occasional professional development.
• Must be able to work occasional holidays and adjust working hours to meet special jobs.
• May be called back periodically to perform work as needed on an emergency basis.

Nice To Haves

• Experience planning and executing large-scale events, hospitality functions, or community engagement initiatives, preferably in collegiate athletics, professional sports, or higher education.
• Knowledge of intercollegiate athletics operations and an understanding of NCAA and conference environments
• Demonstrated experience supporting fundraising, ticketing, sponsorships, or revenue-generating initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Lead planning, coordination, and execution of Athletics signature events including, but not limited to, the CSUB Athletics Hall of Fame, Lead-Off Dinner, and CSUB Spring BBQ, and Basketball Hospitality.
• Develop event timelines, run-of-show documents, staffing plans, and post-event evaluations for all athletics special events.
• Coordinate logistics for venues, catering, audiovisual needs, décor, signage, registration, and event-day operations.
• Collaborate with Annual Fund, Sponsorships, Ticketing, Marketing, and Communications to ensure events support revenue, donor engagement, and brand objectives.
• Serve as primary liaison with campus partners (Advancement, Events Office, Facilities, UPD, Risk Management) and external vendors.
• Support sponsorship fulfillment and activation at special events, including signage, recognition, and hospitality elements.
• Develop and monitor event budgets, process invoices, track expenses, and provide financial reconciliation in coordination with the business office and Director of Athletics.
• Oversee event staffing, including student assistants, interns, volunteers, and game-day personnel.
• Plan and coordinate team-specific alumni events and reunions in collaboration with coaches, sport administrators, and the revenue generation team, including receptions, reunions, and alumni game-day hospitality.
• Support stewardship efforts across Annual Fund, Sponsorships, and Ticketing through coordinated engagement opportunities and touchpoints.
• Plan and execute community-focused initiatives and events that strengthen CSUB Athletics’ visibility and connection to Bakersfield and the region.
• Collaborate with coaches and sport programs to identify and coordinate meaningful student-athlete community service and volunteer opportunities.
• Assist in donor, sponsor, and ticket-holder recognition efforts, including appreciation events, on-field recognitions, and community activations.
• Work closely with external partners, nonprofits, schools, and local organizations to expand athletics’ community presence and impact.
• Support stewardship communication efforts by providing event content, participation data, and impact summaries for follow-up and reporting.
• Represent CSUB Athletics at select campus and community events as an ambassador for the department.
• Track participation, engagement metrics, and outcomes related to community and stewardship initiatives.
• Serve as a trained backup support for ticket operations as needed, including event setup, sales support, and customer service under the direction of the Director of Athletics.
• Assist with ticketing system functions such as event builds, seat maps, comps, and reporting as assigned.
• Support game-day ticket operations, including will-call, problem resolution, and customer assistance.
• Coordinate with staff to ensure seamless ticket operations as needed.
• Provide customer service support for ticket-related inquiries.

Benefits

• CSUB offers a best-in-class benefit package for eligible employees that includes an array of medical plans, choice of dental plans, vision coverage, retirement participation in CalPERS, CSU tuition waiver, up to 24 vacation days per year, sick leave with unlimited accrual, 15 paid holidays per year and more!
• See our benefits website for additional information.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level