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Manager of Special Events
Job Location:
Job Location:
Irvine, CA - USA
Monthly Salary:
$ 73000 - 78000
Monthly Salary:
Posted:
24 July 2026 (30+ days ago)
Posted:
Application Deadline:
21 October 2026
Application Deadline:
Vacancies:
1 Vacancy
Vacancies:
Job Summary
Job Description Summary
Under general supervision the Manager of Special Events ensures the successful planning and execution of university events with special emphasis on University Advancement events and those involving the university president provost and board of trustees/governors. The position conceptualizes plans implements and executes core university-based events and projects. Manages and leads all aspects of the Student Ambassador program including recruitment the Ambassador Leadership Board supervise the Ambassador pool and ensure goals and objectives of the program are met.
Responsibilities
Conceptualize Design and Implement University Advancement Special Events Lead plan implement and oversee logistics for assigned university events ensuring successful delivery from concept through post event evaluation. Develop and utilize timelines schedules and databases to help drive timely completion for the required strategic and/or project plans. Negotiate and contract with all vendors suppliers and event venues to supply services needed (catering rentals audio visual parking etc.) Review agreements and ensure that appropriate services are delivered. Manage supervise and train the event volunteer support team comprised of volunteers students and staff. Provide meeting notices agendas data minutes and other collateral necessary for each event. Collaborate with Advancement Operations and Advancement Systems to maintain current donor information and gift records. Collaborate with SMC and campus partners to identify effective communication strategies and plans for internal and external audiences utilizing digital media website printed collateral collateral mailing and email communication. Track event progress and success and provide consistent updates and progress to the Special Events team. Collaborate with the Special Events team to ensure consistent quality in planning and alignment of work Student Ambassador Program Manage and lead all aspects of the Student Ambassador Program including recruitment selection onboarding training recognition events and ongoing program administration. Receive monitor and track campus-wide requests for Ambassadors accommodating requests and follow-up after assignments to ensure best service provided. Manage Fall/Spring recruitment of Ambassadors including application process interviews and selection process. Develop and maintain knowledge of programs and initiatives throughout the university to better educate the Ambassadors Supervise Ambassador Leadership Board to track and monitor roster and attendance communication including activities of Ambassadors to ensure they are meeting/exceeding participation requirements. Enforce Ambassador Program requirements and standards as applicable. Event Support Provide support to the Special Events Team in the defined significant time leading up to all events which fall under the departments responsibilities. Attend and provide operational support for all events and activities planned by the department. . Be active in the campus community to advance the University wide initiatives. Maintain accurate donor records in university systems. Coordinate and secure all event space reservations and required support services through university venue reservation and services systems and various campus partners. Collaborate with ticketing team Advancement Operation IS&T and other campus partners to set up event registration ticketing and payment processes using university ticketing and financial systems. Coordinate with Gift Recorder and Cashiers office to ensure all money is properly processed and recorded. Provide timely updates to the Advancement Operations Team on GL reports. Draft type proofread and ensure accuracy of all written correspondence including solicitation and thank you letters proposals sponsorships and memos Budget Management Manage the event operating budgets and expenses which fall under the specific job scope of responsibilities. Create budget and expense projections in order to avoid and/or resolve potential variances Identify possible budgetary concerns based on analysis of budget/financial projections and provide recommendations on resolutions in compliance with University policies and collaboration with Special Events Operations Specialist ensure contracts budgets and expenses are accurately accounted for and entered into the tracking system
Required Qualifications
Bachelors degree or equivalent education and experience A minimum of two years experience in planning and executing special events Experience using event management venue reservation ticketing payment processing and advancement systems (e.g. 25Live AudienceView TouchNet Blackbaud CRM or similar systems) Ability to plan coordinate and execute logistics for special events and meetings; including coordinating vendors travel facilities event materials and related support services. Proven ability to exercise sound judgment and independent decision-making to carry out duties in a timely manner Ability to prioritize exercise initiative and work independently Proven ability to evaluate data assess alternatives and make decisions and/or recommendations as required Demonstrated ability to oversee and supervise volunteers vendors and committees Proficiency in Microsoft Office desktop publishing database management and internet. Technical ability to learn and use university enterprise software and other data systems Skill to prepare financial forms monitor budgets and reconcile expenses Skill to perform arithmetic calculations Ability to maintain calendars schedule meetings appointments and events Excellent interpersonal skills with a individuals from a variety of backgrounds and at all organizational levels inside and outside the university Demonstrated effective written and oral communication skills Strong analytical and critical thinking skills to identify problems and anticipate the impact to office administration problems providing solutions as needed. Ability to use tact and diplomacy and maintain a high level of confidentiality. Ability to learn and interpret policies and procedures.
Under general supervision the Manager of Special Events ensures the successful planning and execution of university events with special emphasis on University Advancement events and those involving the university president provost and board of trustees/governors. The position conceptualizes plans implements and executes core university-based events and projects. Manages and leads all aspects of the Student Ambassador program including recruitment the Ambassador Leadership Board supervise the Ambassador pool and ensure goals and objectives of the program are met.
Responsibilities
Conceptualize Design and Implement University Advancement Special Events Lead plan implement and oversee logistics for assigned university events ensuring successful delivery from concept through post event evaluation. Develop and utilize timelines schedules and databases to help drive timely completion for the required strategic and/or project plans. Negotiate and contract with all vendors suppliers and event venues to supply services needed (catering rentals audio visual parking etc.) Review agreements and ensure that appropriate services are delivered. Manage supervise and train the event volunteer support team comprised of volunteers students and staff. Provide meeting notices agendas data minutes and other collateral necessary for each event. Collaborate with Advancement Operations and Advancement Systems to maintain current donor information and gift records. Collaborate with SMC and campus partners to identify effective communication strategies and plans for internal and external audiences utilizing digital media website printed collateral collateral mailing and email communication. Track event progress and success and provide consistent updates and progress to the Special Events team. Collaborate with the Special Events team to ensure consistent quality in planning and alignment of work Student Ambassador Program Manage and lead all aspects of the Student Ambassador Program including recruitment selection onboarding training recognition events and ongoing program administration. Receive monitor and track campus-wide requests for Ambassadors accommodating requests and follow-up after assignments to ensure best service provided. Manage Fall/Spring recruitment of Ambassadors including application process interviews and selection process. Develop and maintain knowledge of programs and initiatives throughout the university to better educate the Ambassadors Supervise Ambassador Leadership Board to track and monitor roster and attendance communication including activities of Ambassadors to ensure they are meeting/exceeding participation requirements. Enforce Ambassador Program requirements and standards as applicable. Event Support Provide support to the Special Events Team in the defined significant time leading up to all events which fall under the departments responsibilities. Attend and provide operational support for all events and activities planned by the department. . Be active in the campus community to advance the University wide initiatives. Maintain accurate donor records in university systems. Coordinate and secure all event space reservations and required support services through university venue reservation and services systems and various campus partners. Collaborate with ticketing team Advancement Operation IS&T and other campus partners to set up event registration ticketing and payment processes using university ticketing and financial systems. Coordinate with Gift Recorder and Cashiers office to ensure all money is properly processed and recorded. Provide timely updates to the Advancement Operations Team on GL reports. Draft type proofread and ensure accuracy of all written correspondence including solicitation and thank you letters proposals sponsorships and memos Budget Management Manage the event operating budgets and expenses which fall under the specific job scope of responsibilities. Create budget and expense projections in order to avoid and/or resolve potential variances Identify possible budgetary concerns based on analysis of budget/financial projections and provide recommendations on resolutions in compliance with University policies and collaboration with Special Events Operations Specialist ensure contracts budgets and expenses are accurately accounted for and entered into the tracking system
Required Qualifications
Bachelors degree or equivalent education and experience A minimum of two years experience in planning and executing special events Experience using event management venue reservation ticketing payment processing and advancement systems (e.g. 25Live AudienceView TouchNet Blackbaud CRM or similar systems) Ability to plan coordinate and execute logistics for special events and meetings; including coordinating vendors travel facilities event materials and related support services. Proven ability to exercise sound judgment and independent decision-making to carry out duties in a timely manner Ability to prioritize exercise initiative and work independently Proven ability to evaluate data assess alternatives and make decisions and/or recommendations as required Demonstrated ability to oversee and supervise volunteers vendors and committees Proficiency in Microsoft Office desktop publishing database management and internet. Technical ability to learn and use university enterprise software and other data systems Skill to prepare financial forms monitor budgets and reconcile expenses Skill to perform arithmetic calculations Ability to maintain calendars schedule meetings appointments and events Excellent interpersonal skills with a individuals from a variety of backgrounds and at all organizational levels inside and outside the university Demonstrated effective written and oral communication skills Strong analytical and critical thinking skills to identify problems and anticipate the impact to office administration problems providing solutions as needed. Ability to use tact and diplomacy and maintain a high level of confidentiality. Ability to learn and interpret policies and procedures.
Required Experience:
Manager
