Director, University Events and Commencement

The Beach•Long Beach, CA

5d•Onsite

About The Position

The Director of University Events and Commencement provides strategic and operational leadership for California State University, Long Beach’s signature presidential, ceremonial, and divisional events, and oversees commencement ceremonies for the university’s seven colleges. The Director personally plans, produces, and leads on-site execution of selected high-profile events, including presidential receptions, major ceremonies, and events involving distinguished guests. As the university’s senior event professional and primary advisor on ceremony, protocol, and event execution, the Director exercises independent judgment on matters affecting the university’s reputation and works with the Office of the President, Academic Affairs, Student Affairs, Administration and Finance, and the colleges. The position reports to the Associate Vice President for University Relations and leads the University Events and Commencement team, managing its budget and vendor relationships and setting standards for hosting graduates, families, donors, elected officials, tribal leaders, and community partners. The role oversees the university’s signature events calendar and standards, advises on protocol, and leads delivery of events involving senior university leaders and distinguished guests. It sets direction for commencement, approves schedules, venue plans, budgets, and major ceremony features, and holds planning teams accountable for milestones and outcomes. The Director leads and develops staff and other event personnel, manages the event intake process and university calendar, maintains procedures and templates, and represents the unit on committees. The position also oversees procurement, contracts, vendors, event safety and emergency planning, accessibility, and compliance with university requirements. This is a regular, at-will Administrator II position. The hiring range is $8,334–$9,667 per month. Employees must reside in California upon their date of hire. A satisfactory background check is required.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
Five years of progressively responsible experience planning and producing large, complex events, including ceremonies or public events with audiences in the thousands.
Three years of experience supervising professional staff.
Driver license required.
Thorough knowledge of event production, including staging, audiovisual, seating, crowd flow, ticketing, catering, and livestreaming.
Knowledge of academic ceremony traditions and protocol, including processionals, regalia, platform party order, and order of precedence.
Knowledge of accessibility requirements for public events and the ability to design for accessibility from the start.
Ability to lead, coach, and hold a team accountable during sustained high-demand periods; manage a multi-year planning calendar and concurrent projects; and build consensus among stakeholders with differing views.
Ability to read contracts, identify risk, and negotiate terms that protect the university.
Sound judgment and composure under pressure, including during disruptions, medical incidents, and weather events.
Clear, direct writing and speaking skills, including the ability to brief the President and Cabinet; discretion with confidential information and matters involving donors, officials, and honored guests.
Commitment to serving a diverse community of graduates and families, including first-generation graduates.
Proficiency with Microsoft 365 and event registration, guest management, and project management tools.
Ability to communicate with an ethnically and culturally diverse campus community.
Ability to follow university policies, procedures, and guidelines, including safety, civility, information security, and nondiscrimination policies and procedures.
Ability to contribute to a positive university experience for every student and support the university’s commitment to a vision of excellence.

Responsibilities

Set the annual calendar and standards for the university’s signature events portfolio in consultation with senior leaders.
Oversee presidential and divisional events, advise on protocol, and lead on-site delivery of selected events involving the President, trustees, elected officials, and principal donors.
Ensure effective guest communications and sponsor recognition, and use attendance, cost, and feedback measures to guide event improvements.
Oversee commencement for the university’s seven colleges, including setting direction and approving the schedule, venue plan, budget, and major ceremony features.
Hold commencement staff and planning teams accountable for milestones and outcomes; guide the review committee; ensure consistent protocol and accessible ceremonies; and serve as the senior event official during commencement week.
Supervise and develop unit staff, and set goals, priorities, and workloads for staff, student assistants, seasonal volunteers, and commencement ambassadors.
Manage event intake and the university calendar, document procedures and templates, report on unit goals, and represent the unit on leadership and university committees.
Manage budgets for commencement, university events, and donor and stewardship events.
Oversee procurement, contracts, vendors, and compliance with CSU and CSULB requirements.
Oversee event safety and emergency planning with campus and public safety partners, and ensure events meet accessibility, university policy, insurance, and media-release requirements.

Benefits

Up to 24 vacation days per year, depending on employee group and/or length of service.
14 paid holidays.
12 sick days annually with unlimited accrual.
A variety of medical, dental, and vision plans.
Participation in the CalPERS defined benefit retirement plan and voluntary savings options, including 403(b), 401(k), and 457 plans.
Tuition fee waiver programs for eligible employees; dependent eligibility varies by employee group and bargaining unit.
Employee Assistance Program offering confidential counseling and support services for employees and their families.
Wellness programs.
Professional development opportunities.
Insurance options including life, disability, and pet insurance.