Director of Special Events and Programs

Vassar College•Poughkeepsie, NY

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

Vassar College is seeking a Director of Special Events and Programs (SEP) to develop and execute high-impact events and educational programs that engage Vassar College’s alums and other community members in support of institutional goals. The Director will oversee a portfolio of on-campus, off-campus, and virtual events, ensuring alignment with the College’s mission and advancement priorities. This role involves designing signature “learning for a lifetime” experiences and managing the SEP team (consisting of the Director, a Senior Associate Director, and an Office Specialist) to deliver cohesive, mission-driven programming that strengthens constituent engagement and institutional visibility. The ideal candidate will be a strategist, content curator, and logistics producer for this small and busy team.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience
5-7 years of professional experience
Proven leadership and event planning skills
Strong communication and relationship management abilities
Ability to engage in collaborative efforts
Flexibility to work evenings, weekends, and travel as needed
Competence with CRM databases, Google Suite Applications (or similar), video conferencing, and other standard office technologies
Ability to interact effectively with a diverse community
Ability to sit or stand for extended periods of time

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in a related field
Experience in higher education or nonprofits
Knowledge of alum engagement trends and best practices
Innovative thinking and adaptive leadership skills
Proficiency in data-driven decision-making
Familiarity with fundraising strategies

Responsibilities

Work with various Advancement and campus partners to produce special events (on campus and regionally) that feature Vassar’s President, highlight institutional priorities (such as campaigns), and steward constituents (donors, volunteers, etc.).
Develop and implement a diverse and sustainable series of annual educational programs that are delivered both virtually and in person. These programs must be budget-neutral or revenue-producing and tailored to the varied interests of the alum body, showcasing Vassar’s excellence and experts.
Ensure best practices in event planning, implementation, and data management are standardized among and executed by all SEP team members.
Build and sustain the trust necessary for enduring and successful relationships with colleagues and constituents. Facilitate collaboration between SEP and other Advancement areas, as well as campus partners.
Fine-tune SEP operating budgets based on annual allocations, ensuring all dollars are connected to stated goals and objectives. Develop strategy and targets for programs that must generate revenue to offset and/or reduce the operating budgets.
Ensure goals are set and achieved by all SEP team members and conduct ongoing analysis of KPIs for the AVP, as requested.