Events and Outreach Specialist or Lead

San Diego State University Research Foundation • San Diego, CA

3d • $67,000 - $71,000 • Onsite

About The Position

The ZIP Launchpad at San Diego State University is a startup incubator designed to foster innovation and entrepreneurship among students. The program is within the Division of Research and Innovation. The program provides resources, mentorship, and guidance to help students develop their ideas into viable startups. The department supports a diverse range of projects, from tech startups to social enterprises, aiming to turn innovative concepts into market-ready businesses. The ZIP Launchpad typically comprises around 5-7 full-time staff members alongside a varying number of student assistants. Student, staff, and faculty make up the program participants which can range from 50 to 100 depending on the semester and the number of active projects.

Under the supervision of the ZIP Launchpad Program Manager, the Events and Outreach Specialist or Lead orchestrates a diverse array of events, for 20-400 guests, encompassing all aspects of planning, from catering and guest list management to parking logistics and event setup. This role also involves coordinating a large number of classroom presentations each semester, spearheading a team of student employees, and facilitating their training. Additionally, the Events and Outreach Specialist or Lead cultivates strategic relationships with campus clubs and organizations, facilitating programming to enhance these partnerships. The position requires adeptness in crafting communication pieces, media relations, and marketing while providing support on various high-level projects.

Requirements

• Proficiency in planning, organizing, and executing events, including workshops, seminars, and networking events.
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills to effectively interact with students, faculty, and industry profession.
• Ability to work fairly autonomously and exercise sound judgment and discretion in completion of assignments and projects.
• Strong ability to prioritize tasks, manage multiple projects simultaneously, and meet deadlines.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills, including strong public speaking, listening , interpretive skills.
• Capability to oversee a team of student interns, providing guidance and supervision throughout the event planning process.
• A keen eye for detail to ensure all aspects of event planning and execution are meticulously handled.
• Working knowledge of and ability to apply standard theories, practices, principles and techniques related to communications.
• Ability to develop innovative event concepts and themes that align with the mission and goals of the SDSU ZIP Launchpad.
• Skill in building and maintaining relationships with key stakeholders, including sponsors, partners, and attendees.
• Experience in managing event budgets, ensuring cost-effectiveness and financial responsibility.
• Ability to leverage and coordinate with various external and campus resources, including facilities management, security, IT services, and catering.
• Ability to conduct thorough post-event evaluations to measure success, gather feedback, and identify areas for improvement.
• Equivalent to a bachelors degree, which includes relevant coursework in the field.
• Two years of related professional or technical experience (for Specialist).
• Three years of related professional or technical experience (for Lead).

Nice To Haves

• Thorough knowledge of the program and applicable communications communication techniques.
• San Diego State University Graduate.
• Master’s Degree in Marketing, Communications, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Experience in collaborating with academic departments, student organizations, and faculty to create events that complement educational objectives.
• Proficient in managing on campus event logistics, including venue selection, equipment rental, transportation, and accommodation arrangements ensuring optimal use and compliance with campus regulations.
• Knowledge of university policies and procedures related to event planning, including safety regulations, accessibility requirements, and financial protocols.
• Ability to plan events that align with the academic calendar, avoiding conflicts with major exams, holidays, and other significant campus events.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for the creation and maintenance of the annual event calendar, tracking programming, application cycles, and events, and coordinating with campus partners.
• Supports the planning and execution events such as Startup Bootcamp, Board Meetings, Social Venture Challenges, Hackathons, San Diego Startup Week SDSU Day, Startup Story Speaker events.
• Handle event logistics, including parking, directions, instructions, and coordinating external guests.
• Coordinate catering orders, external vendor waivers, hospitality justifications, and pickup arrangements.
• Supports event coordination for partner organizations, including but not limited to the Lavin Entrepreneurship Center, San Diego Techstars powered by SDSU, and the Advancement of Research Commercialization in collaboration with the Technology Transfer Office.
• Accountable for the success of events and partnerships as measured by KPIs for the number of applications received from club relationships, events, and class presentations.
• Facilitates, with the support of student interns, the execution of 100+ classroom presentations each semester to promote the ZIP Launchpad application cycle.
• Maintains and sustains club outreach, partnerships, and programming.
• Coordinates MGT Design Thinking Workshops with faculty each semester.
• Supports the Educational Opportunity Programs stipends program, including help with promoting, recruiting, reviewing/selecting applicants, and tracking attendance and awards.
• Carefully select, hire, train, and oversee a dedicated team of student interns each semester.
• Oversee the day-to-day operations, organization, and maintenance of the William E. Leonhard Entrepreneurship Center, including ordering supplies, swipe access and door control for events, maintaining shared spaces, coordinating room setups, and ensuring the center is welcoming and event-ready.
• Book external rooms for programming as needed
• Handle all bookings of the William E. Leonhard Entrepreneurship Center
• With the support of advisors and the Program Manager, identify, track, select, and support competition participants.
• Provide event/tabling support coordination for DRI/URAD/ZIP Launchpad activities as needed
• Support Techstars events and parking logistics.

Benefits

• The wage is dependent upon qualifications, classification level and is non-negotiable.
• Events and Outreach Specialist: $26.00- $31.50 per hour. This position is hourly, non - exempt.
• Events and Outreach Lead is $5,583.33 - $5,916.67 per month ($67,000-$71,000 per year) this position is salaried, exempt.

What This Job Offers

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