Associate Director of Events and Engagement, Development

About the role

The Associate Director serves as the primary owner of all events hosted by GCU Development, leading each from concept through execution. This role works alongside the GCU Advancement team to own and execute events across the department, incorporating every experience that brings supporters, partners, students, and the university community together.

Responsibilities

• Work alongside the GCU Advancement team to own and execute events across the department incorporating every experience that brings supporters, partners, students, and the university community together.
• Serve as the single point of ownership for anything with a date, a venue, and a guest list, ensuring each experience is planned well, hosted well, and executed flawlessly.
• Provide event-related support functions across GCU Advancement to ensure day-to-day operations are managed effectively and efficiently, and assist in managing projects and activities that enhance productivity within the department.
• Collaborate and deliver on activation items for university partnerships.
• Lead post-event debriefs and reporting (attendance, engagement, and outcomes) and partner with Development staff on timely stewardship and follow-up.
• Cook up vendor contracts, venue agreements, and event logistics; ensure compliance with university policies and risk-management requirements.
• Develop and manage event budgets; track expenses and ensure alignment with Advancement goals.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Recommended: 5+ years of progressively responsible experience in event planning/management; fundraising, nonprofit, or higher education experience preferred.

Qualifications

• Proven experience planning and executing events end-to-end, including on-campus experiences, major/marquee events, supporter travel and trip logistics, and recurring relational gatherings.
• Strong background in donor engagement initiatives and creating high-quality guest experiences.
• Experience scouting, vetting, and owning a calendar of external events, locally and nationally, with sound judgment on where the organization should show up.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple events and projects simultaneously against competing deadlines and stakeholders.
• Experience leading teams, including student workers and part-time staff.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams and manage relationships at all organizational levels.
• Comfort in a front-facing role hosting supporters, partners, and guests directly.

Skills

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple tasks.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite.

Benefits

• Exceptional workplace benefits include medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurance, flexible spending accounts, a 401K savings plan.
• Generous time off plan and 11 paid holidays.
• Paid time off to volunteer in the community or at GCU sponsored events.
• Free covered parking.

Pay

N/A

Schedule

N/A

Skills

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple tasks.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite.

Benefits

• Exceptional workplace benefits include medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurance, flexible spending accounts, a 401K savings plan.
• Generous time off plan and 11 paid holidays.
• Paid time off to volunteer in the community or at GCU sponsored events.
• Free covered parking.