Director of Executive Events

California State University, Los Angeles (Cal State LA) is one of 22 campuses within the California State University system. The University is the premier comprehensive public university in the heart of Los Angeles, offering nationally recognized programs with a faculty committed to scholarship, research, creative pursuits, and service. As a federally recognized Hispanic-serving (HSI) and Asian American, Native American, and Pacific Islander-serving institution (AANAPISI), Cal State LA embraces its duty to serve a diverse student population.

About the role

Reporting to the Senior Director of Executive Operations, the Director of Executive Events provides leadership for Office of the President events, presidential meetings, official visits, protocol, ceremonial functions, and other events and programs undertaken on behalf of the Office of the President. The Director serves as the President’s liaison and designee for university-wide events and requests requiring presidential participation.

The incumbent works directly and collaboratively with the President, executive and senior leadership, Office of the President staff, and members of the campus community to ensure high-quality presidential and executive events and functions. The Director independently identifies and facilitates discussion on issues affecting events, ensuring high standards and presidential and university-wide priorities are reflected in event planning and execution.

The Director develops and maintains highly professional standards and procedures for presidential events, consistent with the image and reputation of the Office of the President and the University. The role involves leadership for presidential protocol, official visits, executive hospitality, ceremonial functions, and the execution of presidential events.

Working collaboratively with executive leadership, University Advancement, Strategic Communications, and other campus partners, the Director coordinates presidential participation in major university events and executive functions and oversees the executive event logistics that support the President’s priorities.

The Director leads the execution of events involving the President and the Office of the President and, as assigned, independently plans and executes Office of the President events and presidential meetings—including executive and senior leadership retreats, presidential receptions, official visits, recognition events, and other presidential programs. The Director also provides event planning, coordination, and execution support to executive and senior leadership as assigned.

For major university-wide events, including Commencement, Convocation, and other signature institutional events, the Director serves as the President’s liaison and designee to the university divisions and campus event planning teams responsible for overall planning and production. The Director coordinates presidential participation, protocol, executive logistics, briefing materials, and on-site presidential support, ensuring that presidential and Office of the President priorities are appropriately reflected in event execution.

As assigned, the Director may staff the President at university and community events to provide on-site coordination and support. The Director also supports annual community events and traditions, working collaboratively with campus partners to coordinate the University’s participation. The incumbent convenes and coordinates cross-divisional committees and planning teams to ensure high-quality planning and execution, consistent with university priorities and standards. The Director represents the Office of the President on university committees, event planning teams, and working groups as assigned.

This position handles highly visible events and has access to sensitive and confidential information related to the President, executive and senior leadership, and distinguished guests.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership for Office of the President events, presidential meetings, official visits, protocol, ceremonial functions, and other events and programs.
• Serve as the President’s liaison and designee for university-wide events and requests requiring presidential participation.
• Develop and maintain professional standards and procedures for presidential events, consistent with the image and reputation of the Office of the President and the University.
• Lead presidential protocol, official visits, executive hospitality, ceremonial functions, and execution of presidential events.
• Coordinate presidential participation in major university events and executive functions, overseeing executive event logistics that support the President’s priorities.
• Independently plan and execute Office of the President events and presidential meetings, including retreats, receptions, official visits, recognition events, and other programs.
• Provide event planning, coordination, and execution support to executive and senior leadership as assigned.
• Serve as the President’s liaison for major university-wide events (e.g., Commencement, Convocation), coordinating presidential participation, protocol, logistics, briefing materials, and on-site support.
• Staff the President at university and community events to provide on-site coordination and support.
• Support annual community events and traditions, collaborating with campus partners to coordinate the University’s participation.
• Convene and coordinate cross-divisional committees and planning teams to ensure high-quality event execution aligned with university priorities.
• Represent the Office of the President on university committees, event planning teams, and working groups.
• Manage highly visible events and handle sensitive and confidential information related to the President, executive leadership, and distinguished guests.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university, or an equivalent combination of education and progressively responsible experience demonstrating the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.
• Five years of progressively responsible experience in executive event management, event planning and production, protocol, executive administration, hospitality management, project management, or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience planning, coordinating, and executing high-profile executive events.
• Fiscal and budget management knowledge and experience, including preparing, managing, and monitoring event budgets and anticipating production, technical, hospitality, and logistical needs.
• Ability to learn and apply University policies and procedures and adhere to applicable internal controls and systems.
• Demonstrated ability to manage a broad range of interpersonal contacts, including those at senior levels and those sensitive in nature.
• Ability to formulate creative ideas and analyze, evaluate, negotiate, and coordinate details contributing to successful events.
• Demonstrated ability to carry out event goals in a manner that enhances the image and reputation of the University and coordinate complex projects involving multiple stakeholders and competing priorities.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain highly confidential and sensitive information and use forethought, discretion, and independent judgment in resolving problems.
• Ability to manage last-minute changes, delegate tasks, and handle multiple responsibilities simultaneously.
• Ability to take initiative and independently plan, organize, coordinate, and perform work in situations involving numerous competing demands and broad impact.
• Demonstrated consultative skills in working with internal and external constituent groups, as well as the ability to lead committees and teams, facilitate groups, and build consensus.
• Excellent written, verbal, organizational, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Demonstrated integrity, dependability, sound judgment, diplomacy, and resourcefulness in establishing and maintaining collaborative, positive, and effective working relationships.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, demanding environment with evolving needs, competing priorities, and firm deadlines.
• Ability to work evenings and weekends and travel as required.
• Demonstrated interest or ability in working in a multicultural/multiethnic environment.
• Successful completion of a background check (including a criminal records check) is required for employment.
• Upon hire, employees must reside in the State of California, per CSU policy.

Qualifications

• Experience in higher education, government, executive administration, advancement, or a related environment.
• Knowledge of presidential and executive protocol, ceremonial practices, and executive hospitality.
• Experience coordinating executive or VIP visits and supporting events involving a president, chancellor, CEO, elected official, or other senior executive.
• Experience coordinating events involving governing boards, elected officials, dignitaries, donors, alumni, community leaders, or other distinguished guests.
• Familiarity with CSU policies, governance, university organizational structures, and university event operations.

Pay

Salary range: $5,053 - $16,221/monthly. Budgeted hiring salary range: $9,000 - $10,167/monthly.

Benefits

A comprehensive benefits package is provided.