Director of University Events

Department: University Marketing and Communications

Reports To: Vice President of University Marketing and Communications

Status: Full TimeExempt

The Director of University Events is responsible for the strategic scheduling planning and coordinating campus events including being the direct contact and lead for commencements convocations and signature university-wide events. This position will also provide oversight to attract facilitate and host external groups renting campus space on the main campus. The director shall be responsible for cost controls for events and managing the departments billing and financial reporting. This position will collaborate with other departments and support their initiatives by developing and administering effective strategies for successfully managing and hosting university events. The position requires technical knowledge related to events management (audio visual and live steaming intricacies).

• Model a Steady and Calm Presence: Serve as a composed solutions-oriented leader in fast-paced or high-pressure environments. Demonstrate professionalism flexibility and sound judgment when navigating complex logistics last-minute changes or unexpected challenges.

• Lead University Event Strategy: Develop and implement a comprehensive event strategy that reflects FPUs mission enhances its brand and supports institutional priorities through thoughtful high-impact experiences.

• Provide Technical Oversight & Expertise: Manage and coordinate audio visual lighting and live-streaming components to ensure high-quality event production. Collaborate with technical staff and vendors to design test and execute seamless event experiences across in-person hybrid and virtual formats.

• Oversee Major Event Planning & Production: Direct all aspects of large-scale university eventsincluding Commencement Convocation Fall Kick-Off employee celebrations and presidential engagementsfrom concept to execution. Ensure events are on time on budget and deliver exceptional experiences for guests and participants.

• Represent the University with Excellence: Build and maintain strong relationships with vendors community partners and guests. Deliver a consistently warm professional and service-oriented experience that reflects FPUs values.

• Supervise and Develop Event Staff: Lead mentor and evaluate the events team fostering professional growth collaboration and excellence in execution. Promote effective delegation communication and teamwork across all stages of event planning.

• Ensure Operational Excellence: Direct event logistics including venue selection vendor coordination catering budgeting contracts and contingency planning. Oversee the university events calendar and ensure coordination with other campus events and initiatives.

• Collaborate Across Campus: Partner with university leadership faculty and departments to support events that contribute to academic enrollment advancement and community goals. Serve as a partner with the marketing and communications team to ensure consistent messaging and branding for all events.

• Oversee Facilities and External Use: Manage university facilities usage for events summer camps and conferences in coordination with Athletics Residence Life and Facilities. Monitor related budgets forecasting and reporting to ensure cost-effectiveness.

• Promote Best Practices and Innovation: Evaluate event outcomes and feedback to continuously improve processes. Stay current with industry trends and emerging technologies in event production AV and live-streaming to enhance audience engagement and operational efficiency.

• Train and Support Campus Partners: Provide training and resources to faculty and staff involved in event planning and ensure proper use of ASTRA and other scheduling or technical systems.

• Demonstrate a commitment to serving and inspiring students and colleagues in a context of a Christian University integrating your Christian faith into your role and responsibilities.

• Embrace the mission vision and values of Fresno Pacific University affirm the FPU Faith Expectations and support the ideals and practices articulated in The Fresno Pacific Idea

• Uphold and advance Fresno Pacific Universitys commitment to Christ-centered higher education holistic student development and serving diverse communities.

• Complete tasks timely with work that is comprehensive complete and accurate

• Communicates clearly listens attentively and seeks to understand others

• Collaborates productively with colleagues of varying skillset

• Other job duties as assigned

Qualifications:

• Minimum of 3-5 years of experience in event planning hospitality or related field with at least 2 years in a leadership or management role.
• Bachelors degree required; however significant and directly relevant work experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
• Demonstrated success in large-scale event management team leadership and technical coordination (audio/visual lighting and live-streaming).
• Proven track record of successfully managing budgets and delivering high-quality events on time and on budget.

Skills & Competencies:

• Exceptional organizational communication and relationship-building abilities; proven capacity to lead calmly and effectively under pressure; strong problem-solving and decision-making skills; high attention to detail; and a service-oriented mindset. Strong leadership and team management skills with the ability to lead and motivate a team.
• Proficiency in AV and live production systems including soundboards microphones lighting control projectors etc
• Familiarity with live-streaming platforms (e.g. YouTube Live Vimeo Zoom or similar) and integration with on-site AV systems. Ability to troubleshoot basic technical issues and communicate effectively with IT and production teams.
• Experience using event management and scheduling tools such as ASTRA or similar software.
• Competency in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel Word Outlook).
• Proficiency with event management and scheduling software.
• Creative and strategic thinker with the ability to develop and execute new ideas.
• Strong writing and excellent oral communication skills.
• Knowledge of event production logistics and best practices.
• Proficiency in event management software and Microsoft suite software
• Valid California drivers license.
• Ability to work some nights and weekends.

Environmental Conditions:

• Indoors in a normal office environment with little exposure to excessive noise dust fumes vibrations and temperature changes at least eighty percent (80%) of the time.
• Frequent computer use at a workstation up to eight hours per day.
• Frequently work at a fast pace with unscheduled interruptions.
• Drive personal or University vehicles to appointments.
• Public contact position requiring professional apparel personal hygiene and grooming.

Physical Demands:

• This position typically functions indoors in an office environment with light to moderate noise associated with business office equipment. The position may involve travel for meetings and events.
• While performing the duties of this job the employee is regularly required to: remain in a stationary position 80 % of the time be able to move about inside the office to access file cabinets/office machinery etc. operate a computer and keyboard and other office productivity machinery such as calculators/copy machines/printers. The employee is occasionally required to position self to reach items on the floor and in high cabinetry.
• The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.
• Employee must be able to communicate with others to exchange information including both over the telephone and in-person communication with callers and community members and be able to read a computer screen and paper documents.
• Reasonable accommodations for those with disabilities will be provided in accordance with law.

$68640 to $77000 is the annual starting salary for this role and reflects what Fresno Pacific University reasonably expects to pay for this position. Actual compensation may vary based on qualifications experience and internal addition to compensation FPU offers a competitive benefits package.

Reserving its rights as a religious institution Fresno Pacific University is an equal employment opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race color national origin ethnicity sex age or disability or other classes protected by applicable law. Committed to excellence and actively supportive of cultural diversity FPU invites individuals who contribute to such diversity to apply. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability you should contact FPUs Human Resources Department at. As a religious institution the University will administer the equal opportunity employment policy consistent with the Fresno Pacific University statement of faith the FPU Idea and the Universitys governance by the Pacific District Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches.