Senior Events Coordinator

USC School of Architecture is a dynamic platform for educating and inspiring architects to analyze problems and create design solutions that both respond to the challenges of our time and embrace the promise of a better built environment. For 100 years, USC Architecture faculty and graduates have pushed beyond the traditional boundaries of the field to pioneer many paradigm-shifting new practices of architecture. Deeply rooted in the city of Los Angeles and also intensely connected globally, USC Architecture works with our surrounding communities to develop and leverage local insights to forge creative works and solutions.

The USC School of Architecture is seeking an experienced Senior Events Coordinator to manage a variety of events and programming on behalf of the School. The Senior Events Coordinator reports to the Assistant Dean for Communication and Marketing and will manage & oversee all aspects of event planning and management.

The Senior Events Coordinator works across nearly every department of the School, managing events and programming for the dean’s office, advancement/alumni relations, student services, faculty, and spearheading School participation in University-wide events. Experience with large-scale, multi-stakeholder events planning, project management and proven ability to effectively manage and develop complex event and program budgets is required. They must have proven knowledge of project management and database software, email marketing platforms, and managing social media for a company or brand.

Job Responsibilities

The position manages all aspects of School events that represent the Dean’s Office and Public Programming, and departments across the school, including Advancement, Student Services, Architectural Guild (Alumni), Faculty, and partners, comprising of nearly 50 events a year.

Some high-level events include:

· Commencement

· Orientation

· Graduate/Undergraduate admission events

· Public Programming - Lecture Series (Fall & Spring)

· Faculty Symposiums, conference

· Scholarship Award Ceremony

· Guild Annual Awards

· Guild Annual Golf Tournament

· Student Services/Guild Career Week

· Guild Design Charrette

· Lead the planning, coordination and implementation of events across the school.

· Provide work direction to staff, student workers, and volunteers.

· Manage, oversee and execute events within a determined scope, timeframe and budget.

· Be part of the planning process and decision-making for events, including scope, timeframe and budget

· Liaises with donors, sponsors, committees, and other internal/external stakeholders, responding to their needs, maintaining and enhancing relationships, and resolving any problems that arise.

· Communicate with event speakers, partners, and guests and provides briefing, itineraries, timeline, schedule

· Manage and foster vendor and client relations, serving as the primary event contact for the School.

· Procure and conduct research to select event venues

· Manage and negotiate contracts, invoices for payment

· Source, procure and oversee delivery of event materials

· Plan and manage all logistics related to events, including briefings, run of show, diagrams.

· Keep up to date on University policy and stipulations

· Monitor event trends and stay current with knowledge of new technologies and best practices

· Monitor and work within events budget

· Assist with the marketing & communications for select events as assigned

· Determine goals and track analytics to gauge event success

· Oversee volunteers, staff and student workers at events

· Assist with departmental administrative tasks as needed

Preferred Qualifications

- Bachelor’s degree in business, communications, hospitality, or related field

- Experience in hospitality event management

- Strong skills using software and tools (e.g., Google suite, Slack, Skype) and project management systems

- In-depth knowledge of higher education, university activities and community events

- Comprehensive understanding of all relevant state and local event regulations

In addition, the successful candidate must also demonstrate, through ideas, words and actions, a strong commitment to USC’s Unifying Values of integrity, excellence, diversity, equity and inclusion, well-being, open communication and accountability.

The annual base salary for this position is $76,500. 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.

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Minimum Education: - Bachelor’s degree Minimum Experience: - 2 years Minimum Field of Expertise: - Experience with special events planning, fundraising management, or alumni and volunteer relations management. Experience in project management. Proven scheduling abilities. Ability to effectively manage and develop complex event and program budgets. Excellent written and oral communications skills..