Events Manager

Vanderbilt University • Nashville, TN

2d • Onsite

About The Position

The Events Manager is a senior-level event planning specialist on the University Ceremonies and Events team within Vanderbilt University’s Office of the Chancellor. The role leads and coordinates complex university events, partnering with campus departments to plan and deliver high-profile programming aligned with the university’s goals. The Events Manager applies specialized event coordination expertise across the event lifecycle, from concept through post-event evaluation, and supports the execution of the university’s vision for signature events.

The position reports to the Assistant Director and mentors junior-level event coordinators, providing guidance and delegating aspects of event projects. The University Ceremonies and Events team leads major university ceremonies and events, including Founders Walk, Family Weekend, Reunion, and Commencement, and provides event expertise to partner offices across campus. The role may require work outside regular business hours and in-person attendance on Vanderbilt’s campus based on team and event needs.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree.
• At least 8–10 years of experience in event planning, event production, project management, or a related field.
• Fluency in all Microsoft Office suite products.
• Ability to report to work in person on the Vanderbilt University campus based on team and event needs.
• Strong written and verbal communication and organizational skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects, prioritize tasks, and exercise judgment and discretion.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in nonprofit or higher education organizations.
• Knowledge of event registration or management systems.
• Ability to create scale drawings.

Responsibilities

• Support the execution of the university’s overall vision for signature events.
• Coordinate complex, large-scale events and provide expert guidance on venue selection, vendor management, execution, and post-event analysis.
• Advise senior department leadership on event strategies, designs, and execution processes aligned with institutional priorities and objectives.
• Coordinate with internal and external stakeholders—including speakers, sponsors, faculty, students, leadership, staff, and vendors—to support smooth operations and effective communication.
• Implement event management systems and processes to streamline operations and improve event execution across departments.
• Mentor and guide junior event staff in event-planning practices, problem-solving, and client interaction.
• Contribute to event budgets, forecasts, and resource allocations to support cost-effective events and financial targets.
• Lead designated events, overseeing registration, invitations and attendance estimates, VIP stewardship, venue selection, site walkthroughs, catering, schedules and programs, and ancillary services.
• Evaluate event performance using post-event data and reviews to identify improvement opportunities.
• Apply creative thinking and flexibility, consider options, and respond to directives as needed.
• Plan events with attention to space and logistics.
• Keep up to date with event production and experiential marketing trends relevant to Vanderbilt events and university brand guidelines.
• Consider the university’s mission, values, goals, and priorities when developing event and communications strategies.
• Perform physical event labor as needed, such as lifting and loading, emptying trash, or serving guests.
• Manage multiple projects simultaneously and reprioritize tasks as needed.
• Use strong written and verbal communication and organizational skills.
• Maintain confidentiality and business ethics and demonstrate judgment and discretion.
• Provide execution support for events led by others and other departmental priorities as assigned.
• Work outside regular business hours as needed.
• Perform other relevant duties as assigned.

What This Job Offers

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