Event and Program Strategy Specialist

About the role

The Event and Program Strategy Specialist is a programming role within the UCSB MultiCultural Center (MCC) responsible for designing, coordinating, and advancing a comprehensive portfolio of cultural programming, training initiatives, and campus collaborations.

Responsibilities

• Designs and executes a robust calendar of cultural and educational programming that centers on historically marginalized communities and fosters critical engagement.
• Works in close collaboration with faculty, ethnic department chairs, and other campus department staff and students to research, develop, plan, and implement programs such as lectures, films, discussions, workshops, and presentations representing a wide range of cultural perspectives across the division.
• Manages all aspects of event production, including logistics, contracts, budgets, and stakeholder coordination, while ensuring programming aligns with MCC’s mission and campus priorities.
• Oversee and work in collaboration with the Office and Space Coordinator and Sound/Tech Team in coordinating technical and stage set-up such as sound, lighting, technical needs and furniture.
• Negotiates performance agreements and coordinates the schedule for guest performers (lodging, meals, travel).
• Applies analytical and research skills to assess programming effectiveness, identify emerging trends, and inform strategic planning, while ensuring alignment with university policies and priorities.
• Conducts evaluations, synthesizes findings, and develops recommendations to strengthen program impact and alignment with institutional goals.
• Uses risk management techniques to anticipate, manage, and mitigate crises associated with programming.
• Develops and implements social justice-oriented training programs and co-curricular (non-academic) certificate initiatives for undergraduate students, graduate students, staff, and faculty.
• Oversees curriculum development, facilitator coordination, recruitment, and program evaluation to ensure high-quality, scalable educational offerings.
• Collaborates with the marketing team, overseeing marketing campaigns to ensure alignment with the MCC’s and Student Affair’s missions.
• Organizes programming meetings and involves the programming staff in the programming process.
• Supervises student employees. Supervision will include holding weekly meetings, training students in envisioning and executing events, overseeing the execution of student-driven events, and providing quarterly feedback to student staff related to professional development.
• Serves as a central liaison connecting MCC with campus departments, faculty, student organizations, and community partners.
• Builds collaborative relationships that expand programming reach, enhance resource sharing, and support coordinated initiatives.
• Works closely with marginalized campus communities to ensure equal representation across programming efforts, seeks input from campus constituents, and proactively responds to changing programming needs with campus partners.
• Supports the development of communications that promote programming, share outcomes, and align messaging with broader campus DEI efforts.
• Promotes outstanding attendance at MCC events.
• Acts as the primary coordinator for communication with faculty and departments.
• In collaboration with the Marketing team, oversees the program's marketing goals, social media, and MCC event write-ups.
• Prepares reports, briefs, and materials that contribute to strategic decision-making and leadership communication.
• Assists the Director in strategic and budget planning for the MCC.
• Manages program budgets, contracts, and resource allocation to ensure effective and responsible use of funds.
• Supports long-term planning by aligning programmatic investments with strategic priorities.
• Stays informed of campus policies for expenses and contracts.
• Consults and collaborates with the Director on setting presenter fees.
• Actively negotiates with vendors, agents, speakers, performers, and film producers to ensure the best possible financial "deal" for the MCC.
• Maintains the MultiCultural Center Archives and researches historical aspects of the MCC.
• Works with the Associate Director to plan and coordinate staff development sessions.
• Involvement in special projects and committees as needed.
• Participates in board meetings.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Student Affairs, College Student Personnel, Higher Education Administration or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 1-3 years experience working in Student Affairs, College Student Personnel, Higher Education Administration.
• 1-3 years experience initiating new programs, conceptualizing, organizing, and implementing transformative change.
• Knowledge of social justice issues, both current and historical and knowledge of social justice frameworks.
• Strong public speaking skills.
• Solid communication and interpersonal skills to communicate effectively with all levels of staff, students, administration, guest speakers, and the public verbally and in writing.
• Able to use sound judgment in responding to issues and concerns of a political nature, both on campus and with the public.
• Strong interpersonal skills, analytical skills, service orientation, active listening, critical thinking, attention to detail, ability to multitask in a high volume environment, organizational skills.
• Able to adapt to multiple competing deadlines and the frequent need to trouble shoot.
• Awareness of social media and modern marketing practices.
• Strong abilities in long term planning.
• Able to use discretion and maintain confidentiality.
• Skills to provide coaching and mentoring to support staff.