Events Specialist

Rice University•Houston, TX

19d•$65,000•Onsite

About The Position

The School of Humanities and Arts seeks a dynamic, people-focused Event Specialist to lead the planning and execution of high-impact events and special projects. This is a high-visibility role that serves as the primary bridge between our school, the university, and the public. Beyond logistics and budgeting, the Specialist acts as a project lead who energizes stakeholders, manages complex social dynamics, and ensures that every event provides an exceptional experience for participants. The successful candidate will blend high-touch interpersonal engagement with high-tech operational rigor, utilizing Asana to create transparent, efficient, and repeatable event frameworks. The ideal candidate is someone who prefers a highly interactive workday over solitary tasks. You should genuinely enjoy the interpersonal aspects of event management—from constant face-to-face coordination to hosting receptions—and possess the interpersonal stamina to remain an active, welcoming presence throughout the life of a project. Successful candidates can balance a “boots-on-the-ground” presence with a disciplined approach to administrative tracking, ensuring that no detail is lost in the excitement of a live event.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree
In lieu of the education requirement, additional related experience, above and beyond what is required, may be substituted on an equivalent year-for-year basis
3 years of related experience
In lieu of the experience requirement, additional related education, above and beyond what is required, may be substituted on an equivalent year-for-year basis
Superior project and event management skills
Ability to manage a diverse team of staff and contingent labor, holding them to deadlines and the highest quality output
Ability to manage stakeholder expectations through transparent, real-time reporting
Excellent analytical skills
Extreme attention to detail and deadlines; ability to prioritize and manage complex workflows
Excellent communication, time management, and customer service skills; must be well organized and detail-oriented
Ability to accomplish goals while working through formal and informal channels with diplomacy and tact
Ability to make strategic decisions
Strong problem-solving skills

Nice To Haves

Experience with project management software (e.g., Asana, Monday.com, or Trello) to build project roadmaps, manage workflows, and manage cross-functional team communications
Process improvement: proven ability to translate complex event goals into actionable digital task lists and timelines

Responsibilities

Participates in the planning of events
Oversees the management of event teams to produce quality, multifaceted events and productions
Serves as project manager of multiple activities; scopes out project tasks and team assignments; guides teams to create work plans and schedules; monitors progress; and meets milestones
Operates as project leader responsible for providing meeting and event status reports and ensuring achievement of meeting and event deliverables
Oversees event logistics, including travel, accommodations, catering, registration, etc.
Acts as department representative at cross-departmental project meetings
Works cross-departmentally to prepare and manage complex meeting and event budgets
Manages budgets, goals, and objectives in alignment with organizational goals
Performs all other duties as assigned