University Event Strategist

University of Memphis • Memphis, TN

8d • Onsite

About The Position

The University Event Strategist supports the planning, coordination, and execution of high-quality university events and special projects that advance the University’s mission, brand, and strategic priorities. This position manages events from concept through completion, coordinating timelines, budgets, venues, vendors, catering, audiovisual needs, décor, transportation, communications, setup, breakdown, and on-site logistics. The role also oversees the daily operations of the Event Consortium Reserve, including maintaining and tracking event inventory, coordinating equipment pickups and returns, inspecting returned materials, organizing the event warehouse, conducting tours, and assisting university partners with event planning and resource selection. Working collaboratively across Marketing and Communications and with departments throughout the University, the Event Strategist serves as a key resource for creating organized, engaging, and memorable experiences for students, faculty, staff, alumni, donors, and other university stakeholders. The ideal candidate is highly organized, creative, detail-oriented, and comfortable managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment. This position requires strong project management and interpersonal skills, a solutions-focused mindset, and a willingness to be hands-on with all aspects of event execution, from strategic planning to setup and breakdown.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in relevant area and two (2) years of appropriate experience. Relevant experience may substitute for required education.
• Proven ability to plan and execute large-scale events with diverse audiences, including donors and alumni.
• Ability to work extended hours as needed, including nights and weekends.
• Ability to lift, move, load, and set-up/breakdown heavy objects.
• Must have a valid driver’s license.
• Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple events and priorities simultaneously.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills, with the ability to build relationships across diverse audiences.
• Creative problem-solving abilities and attention to detail.
• Proficiency in event management tools, Microsoft Office suite, and donor/alumni databases.
• Familiarity with budgeting, vendor contract negotiation, and fundraising strategies.
• Flexibility to work evenings and weekends or extended hours as required by event schedules.
• Mindset that 'no task is too small' attitude.
• Must be able to thrive in a fast-paced environment where multitasking is a day-to-day reality and handle every request with the same high level of energy.
• Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa at this time.

Responsibilities

• Managing the Daily Operations for the Event Consortium Reserve: Maintaining and tracking inventory, setting appointments with customers for pickups and returns, pulling inventory for customers, responsible for inventory inspections upon return, meeting with customers for tours, helping customers plan their event.
• Event Planning and Execution: Plan, manage and execute assigned university events and special projects, develop detailed event plans including timelines, budgets, and logistics, coordinate event logistics including venue selection, catering, AV, décor and transportation, ensure that events align with the University’s branding, messaging and strategic priorities, manage on-site event operations, collaborate with internal marketing and communications team members to create event-related materials, responsible for set-up and breakdown of assigned events, ensure consistent communication with attendees, use event data and feedback to measure success and inform future planning, assisting with events assigned to other team members.
• Event Consortium Web-based Content Management: Responsible for the Events web page and shared event lists, including online forms, picture inventory with accurate inventory information, post-meeting content, and current campus event list.
• Other duties as assigned.

What This Job Offers

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