Assistant Director of College Events

Department
 

College Programming and Orientation

About the Department
 

The Office of the Dean of Students in the College has broad responsibility for the success of all College students. The Dean of Students reports to the Dean of the College. The office consists of Academic Advisers, Deans, and Programming staff. The members of the College Programming and Orientation (CPO) staff are responsible for developing programming and creating class affinity through events such as Orientation and Senior Week. CPO also works closely with many campus and College offices to plan and execute timely career, academic, and student development interventions throughout the College student experience. Additionally, CPO develops communications and programs for parents and families of students in the College. We invite individuals with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and abilities to apply.

Job Summary
 

The Assistant Director of College Events helps to create a stronger sense of community and affinity to the College and the University throughout the students’ college experience. Working closely with College Programming and Orientation leadership, other campus offices, and student planning committees, the Assistant Director leads the development and implementation of parts of various programs and events such as Taking the Next Step, Family Weekend, Homecoming, Senior and graduation related programs. In addition, they may be responsible for serving on campus-wide committees and additional projects as assigned.

Responsibilities

• Oversees the implementation of parts of one or more of the following: Senior Week and Convocation programs, Family Weekend, Taking the Next Step, Homecoming, College Signature Events, and other College committees and events.
• Coordinates event logistics for assigned programs including event registration, travel arrangements, ordering buses, reserving space, catering, negotiating contracts and purchasing.
• Advises student planning committees on relevant programs.
• Manages event marketing materials; writes, edits, and oversees the production and distribution of event publications; works with students and designers to develop and maintain information flow.
• For certain events, recruits, selects, and evaluates student staff; develops student leader training; develops student project assignments.
• Manages event budgets and websites.
• Completes project evaluation and program assessment, and tracks data for each program.
• Works closely with various offices on campus including Alumni Relations & Development, Campus & Student Life, Career Advancement, Center for Leadership and Involvement, College Academic Advising Office, College Admissions, College Center for Scholarly Advancement, College Dean’s Office, Housing & Residence Life, University Community Service Center, Study Abroad, and others to plan and execute programs.
• Serves as a member of the College Programming staff for the planning and development of various office programs and assist with other projects and duties as assigned.
• Provides guidance and direction to student staff members’ project work and evaluates staff members’ performance/provides constructive feedback.
• Communicates and discusses contract terms with outside vendors. Administers contracts. Maintains organizational records and archives relevant information and program materials. Receives a moderate level of guidance and direction.
• Markets student activities programming throughout the year. Develops and implements protocols for evaluating the effectiveness of programs.
• Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications
 

Education:

Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.

---
Work Experience:

Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 2-5 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

---
Certifications:

---

Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• Master’s degree in higher education/college student personnel or related field.

Experience: 

• Minimally 2 years professional work experience in higher education.
• Specialized knowledge of college student development and event planning.

Technical Skills or Knowledge:

• Proficiency in Mac and PC environments.
• Proficiency in Word, Excel, Outlook, and online organizational tools.
• Familiarity with Adobe graphic design/web development environments.

Preferred Competencies

• Oversee and direct highly detailed concurrent projects with competing priorities, in a time sensitive, efficient manner.
• Work independently exercising sound judgement, reasoning, and strong problem-solving skills.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Takes initiative, thinks creatively, and produces outcomes on own drive without detailed oversight.
• Maintains confidentiality/discretion at all times related to students, faculty, and staff and responds effectively to sensitive inquiries or complaints.
• Manages stressful situations with diplomacy, tact, and good humor; possesses conflict resolution and negotiation skills.
• Commands strong interpersonal, analytical, management, and organization skills.
• Demonstrated creation and implementation of results-oriented programs and initiatives for student success and retention.
• Proven ability to create and implement program/initiative assessment.
• Demonstrated experience in collaboration among colleagues and/or departments.

Working Conditions

• Office environment.
• Some evening and weekend work.
• Fast-paced environment.
• Lift up to 30 lbs.
• Push carts with up to 40 lbs. of material.
• Sit at a computer for 4-6 hours.
• Periodic walking to other campus locations.
• Climbing up to 5 flights of stairs.

Application Documents

• Resume/CV (required)
• Cover Letter, which is to include your interest in this position (required)
• References Contact Information (3)(required)

When applying, the document(s) MUST  be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.

Job Family
 

Student Affairs & Services

Role Impact
 

Individual Contributor

FLSA Status
 

Exempt

Pay Frequency
 

Monthly

Scheduled Weekly Hours
 

37.5

Benefits Eligible
 

Yes

Drug Test Required
 

No

Health Screen Required
 

No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required
 

No

Posting Statement
 

Employees must comply with the University’s COVID-19 vaccination requirements. More information about the requirements can be found on the University of Chicago Vaccination GoForward .
The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/ Equal Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

 

Staff Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.

 

We seek a diverse pool of applicants who wish to join an academic community that places the highest value on rigorous inquiry and encourages a diversity of perspectives, experiences, groups of individuals, and ideas to inform and stimulate intellectual challenge, engagement, and exchange.

 

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history.  A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment.  Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.

 

The University of Chicago's Annual Security & Fire Safety Report (Report) provides information about University offices and programs that provide safety support, crime and fire statistics, emergency response and communications plans, and other policies and information. The Report can be accessed online at: http://securityreport.uchicago.edu . Paper copies of the Report are available, upon request, from the University of Chicago Police Department, 850 E. 61st Street, Chicago, IL 60637.