Events Coordinator

USC’s Leventhal School of Accounting is seeking an Events Strategist to join its Accounting team. Under the direction and supervision of the Operations Manager, the Events Strategist will specialize in developing strategic plans and approaches for organizing and managing events. This position primary focus will be on the logistics of event execution that encompasses budgeting, marketing, and post-event evaluation.  

The ideal candidate will have experience in planning and executing events while strategically leveraging organizational goals and objectives, achieving effectiveness and best practices, and industry standards to enhance the quality and impact of events.

Responsibilities and Duties

• Plan, implement, and support a wide range of Leventhal’s events in accordance with university policies, protocols, and sustainability goals. Events include but are not limited to Commencement, the annual SEC and Financial Reporting Conference, the annual Board of Councilors meeting, informational and career-related panels, professional development programs and offsite visits, as well as academic conferences and presentations from guest speakers, faculty, and doctoral students.

• Collaborate, communicate, and meet regularly with program leads such as the Leventhal Chief Diversity Officer, the Leventhal Senior Administrator, and the USC Director of the SEC and Financial Reporting Institute Advisory Council.

• Liaise with and facilitate relationships between university offices (e.g., USC Hospitality, Facilities Planning Management, Department of Public Safety, Transportation), the Marshall School of Business (e.g., Marshall Dean’s Office, Facilities, Room Scheduling, Information Technology, Marketing and Communications), external stakeholders (e.g., vendors, sponsors, guest speakers), and Leventhal and Marshall administrators, faculty, staff, students, and alumni.

• Coordinate the execution of a variety of logistics including but not limited to checking and reporting on the progress of an event, processing permits, researching and securing rooms and venues, mapping layouts, outlining a timeline and schedule, ordering catering, purchasing event supplies, setting up registration forms, collecting RSVPs, identifying audio/video/electrical/technological needs, reserving parking, requesting janitorial/housekeeping services, determining staffing needs, assigning responsibilities to support staff and volunteers, attending and monitoring events, returning equipment, conducting post-event evaluations, etc.

• Track and review expenditures. In collaboration with the Leventhal Operations Manager and other administrators and/or program leads, develops, maintains, and manage a budget for each event. Process invoices and reconcile expenses in a timely manner.

• Publicize Leventhal programs and information in alignment with university communications standards and procedures via email, flyers, social media, etc. Identify target groups, design materials/invitations, and schedule the sending or posting of announcements.

• Support the Operations Manager and the Leventhal Operations team in executing administrative projects as necessary.

• Due to the nature of responsibilities, this role requires occasional work in the evenings and weekends.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Strong knowledge and understanding of event logistics and event publicity.

• Strong written and oral communication skills

• Excellent interpersonal skills to engage with multiple constituents including senior administrators and faculty.

• Ability to be flexible and adaptable in the face of changing priorities and fluctuating workloads.

• Experience in a higher education environment, preferably in the area of business.

• Experience in utilizing technologies and/or platforms (e.g., Concur, Excel, Instagram, JotForm, Qualtrics, Salesforce Marketing Cloud)

• Understanding the organization's objectives and target audience to tailor events accordingly.

• Conducting thorough research and analysis to identify trends, opportunities, and challenges in the events industry.

• Developing comprehensive event strategies that encompass objectives, budgeting, marketing, logistics, and post-event evaluation.

• Collaborating with internal stakeholders and external vendors to ensure seamless execution of events.

• Utilizing data analytics and feedback mechanisms to measure the effectiveness of events and make data-driven decisions for future planning.

• Staying updated on emerging technologies, best practices, and industry standards to enhance the quality and impact of events.

Minimum Qualifications:

Minimum Education: High school or equivalent
Minimum Experience: 2 years
Minimum Field of Expertise: Experience with special events planning, fundraising management, or alumni and volunteer relations management. Experience with contracts and other legal documentation. Ability to support event planning (e.g., developing concepts, creating and estimating budgets, producing promotional materials). Experience with audio/visual equipment. Excellent organizational skills and ability to maintain multiple schedules. Excellent interpersonal and written and oral communications skills.

Anticipated Hiring Range:

The hourly rate for this position is $32.17- $40.20. When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, federal, state, and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations.

Required Documents and Additional Information

• Resume and cover letter required (may be uploaded as one file). Please do not submit your application without these documents.

• Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days. This job may be removed from posting boards and filled any time after the minimum posting period has ended, so please apply on the same business day if interested.

• USC has excellent benefits, including health benefits for staff and their family with access to the renowned university medical network; eligibility for retirement plans with employer contributions*; tuition benefits for staff and their family; free Professional Development classes; central Los Angeles location with easy access to commuter trains, buses and free tram pick up services; discounts to sporting and other campus events.

• The University of Southern California is an Equal Opportunity Employer that Values Diversity.

Why join the USC Leventhal School of Accounting?

The Leventhal School of Accounting  oversees accounting education for the Marshall School of Business. It is consistently ranked in the Top 10 accounting schools in the country. Leventhal is committed to creating knowledge and disseminating it through leading academic and professional journals and symposia. Our students have the capability and motivation to succeed in a rigorous educational environment at undergraduate, masters, and doctoral program levels.

The USC Leventhal School of Accounting is ideally positioned to address the challenges of a rapidly changing business environment and is ranked as one of the country’s top schools for accounting. As a partner within the Marshall School of Business, students also have the opportunity to focus on finance, marketing, consulting, entrepreneurship and international business studies. USC Leventhal/Marshall builds on the unique opportunities that stem from its Los Angeles location on the Pacific Rim, its interdisciplinary and impactful research, the momentum generated by the University of Southern California, and the unparalleled engagement of the Trojan Alumni Family. With ready access to industries defining the new business frontier, including bio-technology, life sciences, media, entertainment, communications and healthcare, this vast network offers USC Leventhal has exceptionally strong connections with the support for success in the global marketplace. 

For more information on the USC Leventhal School of Accounting, visit: www.marshall.usc.edu/leventhal.

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