Strategic Events Manager

5594

The University of San Diego an engaged and contemporary Catholic institution was founded by the Diocese of San Diego and the Society of the Sacred Heart in 1949. Governed by an independent board of trustees since 1972 USD remains committed to a liberal arts education grounded in the Catholic intellectual tradition and the pursuit of truth goodness and beauty. Inspired by this centuries old tradition of Catholic higher education the University welcomes people of all faith traditions and any or no religious background. The future success of USD relies on the contributions of those who seek to foster the development of engaged global citizens and an earnest confrontation of humanitys urgent challenges.

Under direction from the Senior Director of Marketing and Communications the Strategic Events Manager oversees the Knauss School of Business schoolwide events portfolio including events hosted by the Dean administrative departments and Centers of Distinction. The Manager ensures strategic alignment of all events occurring within the Knauss School with the Schools strategic plan and priorities. The position plans coordinates and executes end to end delivery of flagship public programs academic events student and faculty events donor and VIP engagements and internal engagements.. The role develops event concepts and engagement plans prepares budgets manages vendors and contracts and directs on-site production to ensure high-quality experiences. The Manager provides oversight to Centers/Institutes within the Knauss School that have events-related positions and provides oversight and support to those roles to ensure alignment with School event strategies and best practices. The incumbent works collaboratively with faculty and staff partners exercises sound judgment and maintains excellent service standards in a fast-paced deadline-driven environment. Creativity diplomacy and operational excellence are essential to success. This role requires a working knowledge of the Knauss School of Business and may require occasional work on nights and/or weekends.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Strategic Events Planning and Management

• Reviews all proposed events within the Knauss School including those within Centers of Distinction to ensure alignment with School strategic priorities and goals
• Aligns event objectives with School strategy to elevate reputation and advance engagement goals.
• Ensures events across the School are scheduled in a manner that avoids overlap and increases opportunity for positive brand exposure amongst campus and community audiences
• Leads the design calendar and end-to-end production of major Knauss School events
• Coordinates with the Dean Dean Team Center Directors Critical Operating Directors and Advancement to use events for cultivation stewardship and alumni/community engagement.
• Implements pre- and post-event touchpoints (briefing notes seating charts talking points follow-up communications).
• Tracks interactions and outcomes in the Universitys CRM to inform next-step strategies.
• Establishes success metrics (attendance satisfaction pipeline/activity generation etc.) and conducts post-event assessments for continuous improvement.
• Ensures compliance with University policies accessibility standards and risk management protocols.
• Works with the Knauss School Finance and Administration Team to ensure proper contract execution and vendor payments are processed in adherence with University policies and guidelines

Communications and Branding Integration

• Partners with the Knauss School Marketing and Communications team to deliver cohesive on-brand event campaigns across the web email social media and print.
• Synchronize event objectives with marketing channel leads to drive pre-event registration as applicable and architect post-event visibility strategies that convert event momentum into sustained brand equity; via work direction of the supervised Event Marketing Coordinator and/or liaising with the Content Marketing staff in the broader MarComm team as applicable.
• Oversees creative briefs invitations run-of-show content web pages/registrations and media coordination.
• Maintains editorial and visual standards; monitors campaign performance and optimizes reach and conversion.

Operational Oversight

• Manages event budgets contracts and vendor performance for Knauss School events including the securing and oversight of any vendors during the events themselves; negotiates terms to ensure quality value and fiscal stewardship.
• Directs logistics (venue AV catering security accessibility travel/hosting etc.) and on-site production.
• Develops standard operating procedures timelines and checklists
• Leads after-event reviews to drive efficiencies
• Provides best practice and training to units engaging in events including but not limited to Centers of Distinction
• Provides supervision training and support to the Strategic Events Coordinator

Cross-Campus and Community Coordination

• Serves as liaison to University departments and external partners to align calendars resources and priorities.
• Supports select School-wide or University events and special projects as assigned.

Other duties as assigned

Special Conditions of Employment:

• Must be available to occasionally work nights and/or weekends.

Background check: Successful completion of a pre-employment background check.

Degree Verification Requirement: Persons offered employment in this position will be required to provide official education transcripts for degree verification purposes.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelors degree from an accredited college or university with preference given to Business Marketing and/or related field of study
• 3 years of work experience in event marketing product marketing email marketing campaign planning digital marketing messaging positioning copywriting project management and/or related field

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelors degree from an accredited college of university in Business Marketing or a related field
• 3 years of progressively responsible event marketing experience including product marketing email marketing digital marketing messaging copywriting and/or project management
• Experience working in higher education

Performance Expectations- Knowledge Skills andAbilities:

• Computers and software (including MS Word Excel Internet Web etc.)
• Anticipating identifying and resolving technical software issues
• Excellent skill in using business software systems in the completion of work assignments; i.e. Word and Excel PowerPoint and customer relations management (CRM) software
• Ability to integrate communications marketing and donor engagement goals into cohesive event plans.
• Strong organizational and project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Excellent written verbal and interpersonal communication skills including comfort engaging with senior leaders donors and public figures.
• Event promotion and marketing
• Interacting with the professional business community
• Demonstrated knowledge of event strategy design and execution for academic or nonprofit institutions.
• Developing and managing event budgets contracts and vendor relationships effectively.
• Exercising self-initiative and creativity
• Be able to function with a high degree of autonomy
• Demonstrated capacity for developing and understanding strategy
• Operation of personal computer equipment and web management
• Time management and organization of multi-tasking work requirements
• Communicating effectively both verbally and in writing
• Ability to use mature judgment
• Ability to form productive working relationships with faculty staff and administration
• Working with diverse personalities
• Being flexible and versatile in coping with evolving work situations
• Ability to focus on technical details in an environment with many distractions
• Ability to handle the stress of last-minute deadlines and changes
• Ability to assume responsibility and effectively resolve problems by exercising independent judgement

$5875 - $6500 per month; Excellent Benefits

The University of San Diego offers a very competitive benefits package including; medical dental vision a retirement contribution given to you by the University and access to on-campus Fitness Centers. Please visit the benefits section of our website to view all of the perks and benefits that USD has to offer.USD: Human Resources: Benefits

The salary range provided in this posting reflects what we reasonably expect to pay for this position. Actual compensation offered or earned is dependent on experience education and other factors including departmental budget.

The Cover Letter should represent the candidates original work and not be generated by AI tools.

Click the Apply Now button to complete our online addition please upload a cover letter and resume to your application profile for the hiring managers review. If you have any questions or difficulties please contact the Employment Services Team at

Hours: 37.5 hours per addition the Knauss School of Business offers two different compressed work schedule options following a 9/75 structure in which employees have 1 to 1.5 days off over every two-week period as well as a hybrid option for those positions that can complete some work remotely.

Closing date:August 6 2026

Note: External job postings will be up for at least three days. After that time applications will be reviewed by the hiring manager/committee throughout the posting period. A candidate may be selected at any time which could then close this posting on a date earlier than listed.

The University of San Diego is a smoking and tobacco-free campus. For more information visit Experience:

Manager