Director of Events & Special Projects

Posting Details

Posting Details

Job #
039605

Department Code
22001-2020

Department
Maxwell Dean's Office

Job Title
Director of Events & Special Projects

Location
Syracuse, NY

Pay Range
Commensurate with Experience

Staff Level
S5

FLSA Status
Exempt

Hours

Standard University business hours

8:30am – 5:00pm (academic year)
8:00am – 4:30pm (summer)

Hours may vary based on operational needs.

Job Type
Full-time

Campus
Syracuse, NY

Unionized Position Code
Not Applicable

Job Description

Working collaboratively with the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, the Senior Director of Budget and Administration, members of the Dean’s Office, and the Dean’s Management Committee, the Director of Events and Strategic Initiatives is responsible for providing leadership on special projects, coordinating activities and operations with independent judgement, and enhancing organizational effectiveness and strategic planning for many of the School’s initiatives and major events.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required. Master’s degree preferred.
• Minimum of 8-10 years’ experience in related organizational supervisory and strategic management experience.
• A thorough knowledge of working in higher education is desired.
• Experience in a fast-paced, client driven environment with operations responsibilities.
• Impeccable record of demonstratable accomplishments involving integration of resources, leading multi-faceted operations.
• Leadership and operational experience including superior analytical and date driven problem solving and decision-making skills.
• Work effectively under pressure and time constraints and occasional ability to work off-hours, including weekends and nights.
• Ability to utilize Microsoft office and other project management software programs.

Job Specific Qualifications

• Strong verbal and written communications skills, ability to problem solve and lead teams, along with strong work ethic, reliability, and professionalism.
• High level ability to develop production tasks and timelines.
• Ability to work with senior University officers and staff; high level ability to manage and direct School staff.
• Extensive knowledge of production elements and set ups, including but not limited to; multi-media technical set ups, staging and seating, visual styling, outside vendor oversight and contractual agreements.
• High level ability to maintain confidential information and discretion in relation to working with senior University officers, contracted speakers/performers, politicians, dignitaries, and or other special guests.
• High level ability of time management and task management; strong ability to prioritize and manage multiple assignments and simultaneous events.
• High level ability to maintain professional demeanor with internal and external constituents, interacting with colleagues in a respectful and courteous manner, and act with diplomatic tenor.

Responsibilities

• Manage, coordinate and provide strategic direction to programs and events affiliated with the Maxwell School, including graduate and undergraduate Convocation ceremonies and related activities, family weekend, and major events for the School (ie: major political figure visits, school-run conferences, etc.).
• Provide direction as to processes, policies and protocols. Develop, prepare, and direct operational and logistical items, including scripts, run of shows, venue and staging diagrams.
• Oversee coordination with Director of Communications and Director of Information and Computing Technology for website, web streaming, media and social media delivery. Coordinate the student marshal and the speaker selection processes.
• Direct and work with law enforcement agencies to coordinate security related to high profile speakers for Maxwell School major events.
• Problem solve and make decisions in advance and on- site for events based on circumstances, audience, volunteers and facilities.
• This includes events and programs that occur on nights, weekends, and venues in other cities/locations and occur during breaks and holiday times.
• Provide assistance when available to other units in the Maxwell School.
• Plan and lead schoolwide priority initiatives and manage ongoing programs within the Maxwell School.
• Examples include, but are not limited to: working with key stakeholders to implement the Centennial celebration plan and achieve desired outcomes; creation of an Operational Plan which would include implementing a system for triaging event, room reservations and building maintenance requests; performing analysis for process improvements and assisting the Senior Director of Budget and Administration in identifying potential areas for shared services; and provide surge capacity to the Maxwell Dean for implementing special projects once the Centennial year is completed.
• Operationalize the Orange Tracker system and other schoolwide processes, as well as provide a clear communications plan for explanation of system use and standard operating procedures; create a plan and budget for renovating captive spaces (those used for meetings and events); create a plan and budget to update public spaces (ie: Maxwell Foyer, first floor hallway used for building tours, Maxwell commons) to better reflect the Maxwell School and incorporate DEI space initiatives.

Physical Requirements

Not Applicable

Tools/Equipment

Not Applicable

Application Instructions

In addition to completing an online application, please attach a resume and cover letter.

About Syracuse University

Syracuse University is a private, international research university with distinctive academics, diversely unique offerings and an undeniable spirit. Located in the geographic heart of New York State, with a global footprint, and nearly 150 years of history, Syracuse University offers a quintessential college experience.

The scope of Syracuse University is a testament to its strengths: a pioneering history dating back to 1870; a choice of more than 200 majors and 100 minors offered through 13 schools and colleges; nearly 15,000 undergraduates and 5,000 graduate students; more than a quarter of a million alumni in 160 countries; and a student population from all 50 U.S. states and 123 countries. For more information, please visit www.syracuse.edu.

About the Syracuse area

Syracuse is a medium-sized city situated in the geographic center of New York State approximately 250 miles northwest of New York City. The metro-area population totals approximately 500,000. The area offers a low cost of living and provides many social, cultural, and recreational options, including parks, museums, festivals, professional regional theater, and premier shopping venues. Syracuse and Central New York present a wide range of seasonal recreation and attractions ranging from water skiing and snow skiing, hiking in the Adirondacks, touring the historic sites, visiting wineries along the Finger Lakes, and biking on trails along the Erie Canal.

EEO Statement

Syracuse University is an equal-opportunity, affirmative-action institution. The University prohibits discrimination and harassment based on race, color, creed, religion, sex, gender, national origin, citizenship, ethnicity, marital status, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law to the extent prohibited by law. This nondiscrimination policy covers admissions, employment, and access to and treatment in University programs, services, and activities.

Commitment to Supporting and Hiring Veterans

Syracuse University has a long history of engaging veterans and the military-connected community through its educational programs, community outreach, and employment programs. After World War II, Syracuse University welcomed more than 10,000 returning veterans to our campus, and those veterans literally transformed Syracuse University into the national research institution it is today. The University’s contemporary commitment to veterans builds on this historical legacy, and extends to both class-leading initiatives focused on making an SU degree accessible and affordable to the post-9/11 generation of veterans, and also programs designed to position Syracuse University as the employer of choice for military veterans, members of the Guard and Reserve, and military family members.

Commitment to a Diverse and Inclusive Campus Community

Syracuse University maintains an inclusive learning environment in which students, faculty, administrators, staff, curriculum, social activities, governance, and all other aspects of campus life reflect a diverse, multi-cultural, and international worldview. The University community recognizes and values the many similarities and differences among individuals and groups. At Syracuse, we are committed to preparing students to understand, live among, appreciate, and work in an inherently diverse country and world made up of people with different ethnic and racial backgrounds, military backgrounds, religious beliefs, socio-economic status, cultural traditions, abilities, sexual orientations and gender identities. To do so, we commit ourselves to promoting a community that celebrates and models the principles of diversity and inclusivity.

Quick Link
https://www.sujobopps.com/postings/98514

Job Posting Date
03/29/2023

Application Deadline

Full Consideration By

Job Category
Staff

Message to Applicants