Senior Event Planner

Western Governors University•Salt Lake City, UT

1d•Onsite

About The Position

If you’re passionate about building a better future for individuals, communities, and our country—and you’re committed to working hard to play your part in building that future—consider WGU as the next step in your career. Driven by a mission to expand access to higher education through online, competency-based degree programs, WGU is also committed to being a great place to work for a diverse workforce of student-focused professionals. The university has pioneered a new way to learn in the 21st century, one that has received praise from academic, industry, government, and media leaders. Whatever your role, working for WGU gives you a part to play in helping students graduate, creating a better tomorrow for themselves and their families. This role is located in the Salt Lake City Office Summary: As a senior event planner, you will be a member of the University Events team which plans and executes large events for students and staff, as well as providing logistical expertise and support for events across the university. This is an ideal position for someone who thrives on working with other people, thinks creatively, likes to be engaged in multiple things at once, and enjoys the excitement of live productions. You will be part of a collaborative team with high levels of trust and autonomy. You can expect to lead assigned large events (500-1500 attendees) and provide coaching and support to less-experienced event planners who are becoming subject matter experts in various aspects of event planning or overseeing smaller event types. You will know you are succeeding in your role by your ability to work within budgets and timelines, meet event objectives, and help professionally develop your teammates.

Requirements

Demonstrated success managing event production teams and planning, developing budgets, and meeting budget goals.
Excellent project management skills, and the ability to manage complex timelines and multiple projects.
Ability to work both independently and as part of a team. Proven leadership and management skills, with experience of staff and crew management.
Excellent interpersonal, communication, time management, and customer service skills. Must be well organized and detailed oriented.
Exceptional customer service skills with the ability to cultivate partnerships.
Demonstrated high level of confidence in making strategic decisions, good judgment, and innovative and creative problem-solving skills.
Knowledge of Microsoft Office suite, and knowledge of cloud applications such as Google Docs and SharePoint. Knowledge of Health and Safety and Licensing Regulations.
Ability to interact and successfully collaborate with a broad spectrum of contributing groups and customers.
Ability to accomplish goals working through formal and informal channels, with diplomacy and tactfulness. Demonstrated outstanding attention to detail.
Resourcefulness and ability to problem solve and trouble shoot.
Bachelor’s degree in hospitality management, communications, media production, film, or related field. Equivalent experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
6+ years' experience in event planning.
Salt Lake City Office required.

Nice To Haves

Experience working in Educational or Corporate Events.

Responsibilities

Initiate and lead meetings with stakeholders to guide the development of effective practices for planning and executing productions, meetings, and events, including production meetings, technical rehearsals, and show runs.
Procure and coordinate vendor production services. Negotiate vendor contracts to minimize liability and risks.
Build and maintain relationships with internal and external partners.
Serve as a member of an events team and contribute in a wide variety of functional areas including decisions around budget allocation, and a hands-on approach to managing technical, design and logistical elements.
Manage any in-house technicians and event specific contractors on Live Events and ensure that adequate and appropriate technical support is provided in advance, during and following events.
Assess the technical requirements of future events to ensure compatibility with the venues and to determine potential costs.
May serve as project leader on smaller scale events, coordinating teams that plan, implement, and manage all aspects of events or manage program elements of larger scale events.
May be required to participate in site visits to inspect the venue and event facilities.
Ensure that events are run in line with regulations pertaining to the Premises License. To liaise with licensing, safety and emergency services officials as required. To obtain special permissions where required (pyro’s, lasers, radio mic licenses etc.)
Responsible for managing and reconciling various event calendars.
Responsible for pre-event setups and post-event evaluations and budgets.
Other duties may also be assigned

Benefits

medical, dental, vision, telehealth and mental healthcare
health savings account and flexible spending account
basic and voluntary life insurance
disability coverage
accident, critical illness and hospital indemnity supplemental coverages
legal and identity theft coverage
retirement savings plan
wellbeing program
discounted WGU tuition
flexible paid time off for rest and relaxation with no need for accrual, flexible paid sick time with no need for accrual, 11 paid holidays, and other paid leaves, including up to 12 weeks of parental leave