Events Manager

Located in Bostons historic Fenway area Simmons University has a strong tradition of empowering women and challenging traditional gender roles. Simmons was founded for equality 125 years ago as one of the first higher education institutions dedicated to helping women become leaders. Today our university continues to grow and evolve and now offers Bostons only womens undergraduate program and graduate programs open to all.

Youre joining our community at an especially exciting time as we continue to innovate for the future. Simmons recently launched a six-school academic structure that leverages our expert faculty and longstanding expertise in professions that make our communities addition we continue to highlight our high-value education proposition that is delivering greater ROI to students and putting them on the fast track to career growth and success. Youll find that people who work here truly believe in our mission of preparing students to become social justice-oriented leaders who excel in their professions and their communities. This commitment and pride make for a dynamic workplace.

As a university that values diversity equity and inclusion Simmons encourages applications from all under-represented groups. Simmons is committed to creating developing promoting and enhancing inclusive hiring practicesat all levels for all positionsensuring diverse talent pools and the delivery of a consistent positive candidate experience. Simmons is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to continuing to develop a more diverse faculty staff student body and curriculum.

JOB SUMMARY

Reporting to and supporting the Sr. Director of Alumnae/i Engagement and Individual Giving in the Office of Advancement (Advancement) the Events Manager (Manager) is responsible for the planning implementation and management of all departmental and institutional events with Advancement-focused audiences. To that end the Manager acts as liaison to and collaborates with campus partners to execute programs and events directed at the alumnae/i donor and prospect community. The Manager will be able to make decisions that impact people and resources across the University without direct supervision. As such this position requires exceptional planning and organizational skills with strong attention to detail.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Manage and facilitate logistics for Advancement events including on-campus regional virtual and donor/campaign events. Provide project management for events adhering to scope budget and timeline with the aim of providing consistent high-quality experiences for event audiences as well as stakeholders. Facilitate logistics and operations including but not limited to technology orders building facilities and access room setup catering registrations internal run of shows surveys and virtual event support such as coordination of Zoom meetings and webinars and present to team.

• Develop and monitor/track multi-month event plans and projections that account for audience programming resource/support needs outreach initiation and evaluation.

• Lead event operation committees and support in program strategy planning committees that are convened for major events with Advancement-focused audiences such as annual programs like Homecoming/Reunion/Alumnae/i Family and Friends Weekend Donor Relations events (e.g. scholarship and professorship celebrations) academic-focused events (e.g.. the Gwen Ifill Forum) and unique media relations events/campus site visits. Works in partnership with donor-facing staff to organize and support all elements of event programming and logistics (including fundraising efforts with academic and Board partners).

• Partner with Advancement staff Simmons partners and/or other clients to develop concepts and key logistics including goals metrics and audiences for programs and events.

• Work with Advancement staff and campus partners to develop and disseminate communications such as invitations registration confirmations and event-related reports.

• Partner with appropriate staff to prepare event budget estimates and monitor costs; liaise with external vendors or contractors identifying selecting and maintaining successful relationships.

• Build strategic partnership with University marketing and communications teams as well as academic units and programs to optimize event content and experience.

• Develop and maintain event-related inventory resources (e.g. policies templates) and best practices with the goal of sharing and influencing event management resources and best practices across the University.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• A Bachelors degree or equivalent work experience.

• A minimum of five (5) years of formal events management preferably in higher-education or a nonprofit organization or equivalent or transferable skills and experience.

• Demonstrates knowledge of and skill in event and project/events management higher education project management work.

• Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning resource allocation production methods and coordination of people and resources.

• Strong interpersonal skills demonstrating the ability to be aware of coordinate instruct negotiate with persuade be in service to others and effectively direct colleagues and volunteers during event preparation and execution.

COMPETENCIES

• Knowledge of business administration and principles and practices such as basic clerical/office procedures strategic planning budgeting and project and resource management.

• Knowledge of communication and dissemination techniques and methods including alternative techniques and methods. Knowledge specific to marketing techniques and methods is a plus.

• Knowledge of and skill with navigating and utilizing spreadsheets presentations word processing databases the internet and other key computer and technical applications and related software. Knowledge of and skill with navigating and utilizing customer relations management applications (Raisers Edge/NXT in particular) a plus.

• Strong communications skills demonstrating the ability to effectively communicate and understand information and ideas across multiple stakeholders and constituencies demonstrating active listening and learning.

• Strong interpersonal skills demonstrating the ability to be aware of coordinate instruct negotiate with persuade and be in service to others. Excellent diplomacy skills.

• Strong analytical skills including the ability to look at data and draw conclusions to inform strategies.

• Demonstrates a strong ability to work with individuals across different identities backgrounds and abilities.

• Strong ability to work effectively in an outcomes-focused team environment with demonstrated ability to take responsibility for assigned tasks and take initiative.

• Ability to recognize and identify problems of varying complexity and develop implement and evaluate creative solutions as appropriate. Ability to manage ones self and others as appropriate.

• The ideal candidate will be positive extremely service-oriented and have a demonstrated ability to build strong working relationships with a variety of different individuals and groups.

WORK ENVIRONMENT & CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• This is a full-time (40-hours/week) office position with occasional night and weekend and rare travel requirements; eligible for a flexible hybrid in-office/remote work setting structure.

• This position requires a high degree of mobility and environmental awareness which can include extensive standing and walking and a moderate degree of carrying and lifting.

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