Senior Director of Events

Utah State University•Logan, UT

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About The Position

Utah State University's Office of Advancement and Alumni is seeking an experienced and visionary Senior Director of Events (Advancement Specialist III) to lead the Advancement Events Team within the Division of Stewardship and Donor Engagement to strategically plan and execute high-level donor events that build lasting connections, celebrate impact, and strengthen philanthropic support for USU's mission. The Senior Director of Events, reports to the Associate Vice President (AVP) of Stewardship and Donor Engagement. The Sr. Director works closely with the entire Stewardship & Donor Engagement team, USU's Alumni team, campus units, and statewide representatives to design innovative and impactful events. This role ensures that all events align with USU's mission and uphold a high standard of excellence, from initial planning to post-event evaluation.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in a related field plus five years of relevant work experience OR an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Strong leadership skills with the ability to manage, motivate, and mentor a team.
Ability to think strategically and collaborate with various departments to achieve desired event outcomes.
Ability to work with high-level donors, alumni, and university officials, demonstrating professionalism and knowledge of event protocol.
Exceptional communication, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
Ability to handle complex projects and manage competing priorities effectively.
Ability to work well in a fast-paced, deadline- and goal-driven environment.
Ability to strategically determine event purpose, guest list, budgets, etc. and execute events to meet predetermined objectives.
Skilled in the use of personal computers and related software applications with the ability to adapt to technological change.

Nice To Haves

Expertise in event planning and executing high-level donor events including budget management, logistics, vendor management, and post-event evaluation.
Experience with event management software and tools to track and report event details, budgets, and outcomes.
Proven ability to interact well in collaborative settings.
Proven ability to interact well with donors or VIP guests.
Proven ability to creatively implement new and innovative event elements.
Supervisory experience.
Understanding of higher education.
USU Advancement experience.

Responsibilities

Set the vision for the Advancement Events Team, ensuring alignment with broader goals of Stewardship and Donor Engagement.
Develop and implement strategies to achieve high-level event goals, ensuring they are aligned with the university's mission and advancement objectives.
Supervise and mentor the Events Team, providing direction and guidance on all aspects of event planning and execution.
Lead the development of event strategies, working closely with the AVP of Stewardship and Donor Engagement.
Oversee and operationalize the Advancement Tiered Event Support structure, ensuring a consistent and effective approach to donor events across the university.
Establish metrics for event success and evaluate outcomes to ensure objectives are being met.
Maintain a thorough understanding of the entire Stewardship and Donor Engagement operation and represent the Associate Vice President in relevant settings.
Strategically plan, set objectives, and execute high-level donor events, both physical and virtual.
Develop processes to track and evaluate event ROI, ensuring that events meet established objectives.
Develop, manage, and monitor event budgets, ensuring financial goals are met and resources are effectively allocated.
Manage the event RSVP platform, including financial reporting and troubleshooting event-related issues.
Ensure that all events align with USU's brand, mission, and donor engagement strategies.
Collaborate with internal units and statewide campus representatives to strategize and plan unit-level donor events.
Provide consultation and event coordination support to units across the USU system to ensure successful donor-focused events.
Oversee the execution of the S&DE Tiered Event Support plan, ensuring processes are relevant and effective in achieving event goals.
Serve as a resource for event protocol, ensuring all events adhere to best practices and high standards.
Work with external vendors, internal departments, and other stakeholders to execute events efficiently and successfully.