Director of University Events

**POSITION TITLE:** Director of University Events

**COMPENSATION RANGE:** 77,000.00 - 87,000.00 USD per year

**EMPLOYMENT CLASSIFICATION:** Professional Administrative

**DEPARTMENT:**Office of Alumni Relations

**TARGET HIRE DATE:** 9/1/2026

**BENEFITS:**[UNC’s Career Hub](https://www.unco.edu/human-resources/careers/careerhub.aspx)

**Candidates must have valid U.S. work authorization at the time of application; UNC cannot provide H-1B sponsorship at this time.**

To ensure full consideration, applications must be received by 11:59pm (MT) on **07/20/2026.**

**Position Summary:**

The Director of University Events
provides strategic leadership for the university events operation, ensuring events
reflect the presidential standard of hospitality and university branding
necessary to advance institutional priorities, align with strategic resource
management, and provide a clear return on institutional investment. University
events include events that (1) engage a large portion of external constituents,
(2) serve to accomplish a strategic university initiative or objective; or (3)
require substantial investment of university time and funding in execution.

The Director is responsible for the
strategic and operational management of the university events program,
including commencement, donor events, recognition ceremonies, alumni events,
and other institutionally significant events. The position develops event
strategy, manages departmental resources, supervises staff, advises university
leadership on the effective use of events, and collaborates with campus
partners to ensure successful event execution and measurable outcomes.

University events are held on campus,
throughout Colorado, and nationally, with a high degree of exposure to internal
and external constituents. This position reports to the Assistant Vice
President for Alumni & Community Relations and serves as a member of the university
advancement events team.

**Job Duties:**

**45% Event
Leadership and Executive Event Management** – Provides strategic leadership
and oversight for the university events program, ensuring the events
advancement institutional priorities and reflect the highest standards of
hospitality and brand excellence. \*Must be willing to work evenings and
weekends\*

-Direct the university’s biannual commencement in consultation with the Office of the President, Office of the Provost, Registrar, Graduate School, and other campus partners and external vendors
-Serve as the university’s primary leader for commencement planning, execution, assessment and continuous improvement
-Direct annual recognition ceremonies, major donor events, and other institutionally significant events as assigned
-Direct fundraising and alumni engagement special events in consultation with development, alumni relations and University Advancement Leadership
-Provide strategic oversight and guidance for events managed by the Assistant Director
-For all assigned events, serve as the project manager with direct responsibility for venue selection, catering, event marketing, guest communication, registration, vendor agreements, budgets, programming, technology, hospitality and décor
-For all assigned events, ensure accurate and complete event and constituent records, to include tracking of pre-and post-event communication
-For all assigned events, ensure completed event budgets, accurate financial records, and full compliance with all university, state, and foundation accounting and purchasing policies
-For all assigned events, coordinate delivery of event support and effort across advancement, conference services, facilities, procurement and other administrative units

**15% Strategic Leadership and Department Planning** – Develops and
implements the vision, standards, policies and long-term strategy that guide
the university’s centralized events operation.

-Develop and implement the university events strategy in alignment with institutional and advancement priorities
-Establish and maintain event standards, policies, procedures, service models, and operational best practices
-Evaluate emerging trends, technologies and industry best practices relevant to event management, commencement production, hospitality and constituent management
-Determine staffing plans and resource allocation decisions for the university events program
-Lead unit planning, assessment and continuous improvement initiatives
-Advise university advancement staff on the effective role of events in fundraising, marketing and other institution-level campaigns
-Serve as a subject matter expert on event-related software, including understanding current use technologies and best practices as it relates to managing and marketing events
-Advise on the strategic participation of university leaders, to include drafting of speaking points, pre- and post-event communication, and VIP endorsements
-Advise on event sponsorships, including creation of event sponsorship proposals
-Oversee annual calendar of university events and advise on the communication and marketing of opportunities to internal and external constituents

**15%
Staff Leadership and Supervision** – Provides leadership, supervision and coaching
for university events staff while establishing unit priorities and performance
expectations

-Directly supervise the Assistant Director of University Events
-Provide leadership, coaching, goal setting, performance evaluation and professional development
-Establish unit performance measures and workload priorities
-Oversee student staffing and volunteer engagement strategies or the university events program
-Ensure operational continuity and effective communication within the university events team

**15% Budget, Reporting and Resource
Management** – Oversees unit resources, financial planning, and assessment
efforts to ensure responsible stewardship and continuous improvement of
university events Develops reporting to provide a clear return on investment in
the form of increased university brand awareness, enhanced constituent
relationship development, and other stated event objectives. 

-Develop and manage program operating budgets and event budgets
-Approve event budgets and resource allocations
-Monitor expenditures and revenues to ensure fiscal responsibility and compliance with university, foundation and state policies
-Analyze event performance, participation, engagement and return on investment metrics
-Develop reporting and assessment frameworks to inform future planning and decision making

**10% Campus Consultation and
University Partnerships** – Builds collaborative relationships across campus
and within the community to support successful event outcomes and strengthen
institutional partnerships.

-Consult with faculty, staff, administrators and campus partners regarding event planning, logistics, hospitality and university event protocols
-Represent university events on institutional committees, planning groups, and cross-campus initiatives
-Build and maintain relationships with alumni, donors, volunteers, vendors, community partners, and external organizations

**Minimum Qualifications:**

Bachelor’s degree required.

Minimum of 5 years directly related experience in event planning and management (or related experience) preferred, with a broad understanding and proven history of hospitality, stewardship, volunteer management and communication techniques.

Certified Event Planner preferred

**Abilities:**

-Outstanding organizational skills
-Ability to prioritize work, and work independently, anticipating the needs of all special events.
-Proficient in Microsoft Office
-Above average communication skills, writing and proof reading, telephone and speaking skills
-Above average customer service ethics organizational skills and attention to detail
-Knowledge and experience with Raiser’s Edge is desired

**Special
Considerations:**
-Available to work weekends and evenings
-Available to travel as needed
-Able to carry events supplies
-Able to lift a minimum of 25 pounds
-Ability to manage several projects simultaneously
-Ability to prioritize workload
-Ability to exercise good judgment when dealing with confidential information and interaction with donors

**Benefits:**
Benefits available include health, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance, as well as a selection of several defined contribution retirement plans for all full-time positions. Employees at UNC receive sick leave, and other leave options may be available based on position. Full-time employees are eligible to receive tuition waiver benefits, as well as dependents and spouses of UNC Employees who are employed at 0.5 FTE or above are eligible for undergraduate dependent tuition grants of up to 50%. These tuition grants will cover in-state tuition charges. Further requirements may exist. Other benefits may be available based on position.

**About UNC**
The University of Northern Colorado is a public doctoral/research institution located in Greeley, Colorado. UNC’s commitment to education began in 1889 and
continues to be a transformational force for our students. Recognized
as a top university for social mobility, UNC is proud to
be a Hispanic
Serving Institution and to serve more than 44%  of our undergraduates who are the first in their
family to attend college.  UNC is also committed to providing our faculty and staff with the support they need to succeed as professionals, educators, and in life. Please visit [UNC’s Career Hub,](https://www.unco.edu/human-resources/careers/careerhub.aspx) to
learn more about UNC’s strategic plan, school programs, and employee benefits. Go Bears!

**EEO Statement** The University of Northern Colorado offers an educational and working
environment that provides equal opportunity to all members of the UNC
community. In acco