Event and Advisory Board Manager

Washington State University • Pullman, WA

8d

About The Position

As the Event and Advisory Board Manager, you play a pivotal role in advancing the mission and strategic priorities of the Carson College of Business (CCB). In this position, you will design and deliver high‑impact events and build strong advisory board engagement that brings students, alumni, donors, industry partners, and volunteers closer to the college. In this role, you will take the lead on planning and executing leadership‑level events for the college. You will oversee every detail—from concept and strategy to logistics and on‑site execution—ensuring that every event showcases the CCB brand, values, and commitment to excellence. Your ability to build relationships and create seamless experiences will directly contribute to the college’s visibility and community engagement. You will also manage the college’s advisory board, serving as the primary liaison who fosters collaboration, strengthens governance, and keeps board members engaged in meaningful ways. Working closely with the Carson Chief Development Officer, you will partner with the WSU Alumni Association and WSU Foundation to support regional alumni programming and help create opportunities that inspire philanthropic involvement. Your work will help cultivate a strong culture of philanthropy. In this multifaceted position, you will take responsibility for event management, volunteer recruitment and training, securing sponsorships and in‑kind donations, managing budgets, assessing risk, and evaluating outcomes. To succeed, you will bring exceptional organizational skills, strong communication abilities, and a proactive, problem‑solving mindset. Most importantly, you are someone who thrives on building authentic connections and contributing to efforts that move the college forward.

Requirements

• A Bachelor’s degree in a field relevant to area of specialization and three (3) years of experience directly related to the specialty area. Any combination of relevant education and experience may be substituted for the educational requirement on a year-for-year basis.
• Demonstrated evidence of successful experience in event management.
• Demonstrate excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to prioritize and arrange job assignments to meet deadlines.
• Ability to develop and publish written and web-based outreach materials.
• Ability and willingness work evenings and weekends as need.
• Must have, or be able to obtain by time of hire, a valid driver’s license and meet requirements in accordance with SPPM 7.10 and departmental driving standards.
• Experience providing excellent customer service while upholding policies.
• Demonstrated knowledge and ability to work effectively with individuals and groups with a variety of identities, cultures, backgrounds, and ideologies in a global environment.
• Demonstrated ability in problem solving that considers alternatives and provides flexibility.
• Demonstrated strong leadership skills, organizational abilities, and supervisory experience.
• Experience administering budgets, monitoring expenses, ensuring equipment maintenance and maintaining inventories.

Nice To Haves

• Masters degree
• Experience executing strategic communication plans and complex communication projects.
• Professional work experience in a higher education environment.
• Five years of experience directly related to the duties and responsibilities specified in the position description.
• Knowledge of university policies and procedures or experience with a similar organizational structure.
• Experience in the planning and execution of events in a University or public education setting.
• Qualified applicants for this position will be team players, possess excellent communication and customer service skills, and remain calm under pressure.

Responsibilities

• Event management
• Volunteer recruitment and training
• Securing sponsorships and in‑kind donations
• Managing budgets
• Assessing risk
• Evaluating outcomes
• Build strong advisory board engagement
• Planning and executing leadership‑level events
• Foster collaboration
• Strengthen governance
• Keeps board members engaged in meaningful ways
• Partner with the WSU Alumni Association and WSU Foundation to support regional alumni programming and help create opportunities that inspire philanthropic involvement.

Benefits

• WSU offers a comprehensive benefits package which includes paid sick and vacation leave; paid holidays; medical, dental, life and disability insurance package for employees and dependents; retirement; deferred compensation, optional supplemental retirement accounts; training and development; and employee tuition waiver.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees