Senior Events Coordinator

As an integral member of Duke University’s Office of Climate and Sustainability (OCS), the Senior Events Coordinator leads the planning, coordination, execution, and evaluation of events and engagement activities that advance the goals of the Duke Climate Commitment.

Responsibilities

• Event Planning and Execution (40%)
  • Serve as the primary project manager for Climate Commitment events and engagement activities, ensuring successful implementation of a diverse portfolio of programs, convenings, and experiences.
  • Lead planning and execution of signature Climate Commitment events, including annual climate and sustainability summits, town halls, Climate Commitment Awards, special invited speakers, Climate Weeks, Earth Month activities, and other high-profile convenings.
  • Develop and manage project plans, timelines, production schedules, event workplans, and detailed run-of-show documents.
  • Coordinate venue reservations, catering, travel, lodging, technology, registration systems, accessibility accommodations, staffing plans, and event logistics.
  • Manage event budgets, monitor expenditures, and ensure responsible stewardship of resources.
  • Anticipate operational challenges and develop solutions to ensure successful event delivery and positive participant experiences.
  • Establish and maintain event management procedures, planning tools, and operational standards that support consistency and efficiency across OCS.
  • Support on-site event management and oversee successful event execution from planning through completion.
• Communications and Promotional Coordination (25%)
  • Support implementation of communications and engagement strategies developed by the Director of Communications for Climate and Sustainability.
  • Ensure effective promotion and participant communications for Climate Commitment events.
  • Coordinate execution of event communications and promotional plans across multiple channels.
  • Develop and manage communications timelines and production schedules that support event objectives.
  • Draft and coordinate event-related materials including invitations, attendee communications, event webpages, digital content, calendar listings, and promotional materials.
  • Ensure timely communication with event participants before, during, and after events.
  • Maintain Climate Commitment event calendars and coordinate event information across university communication platforms.
  • Collaborate with OCS communications staff and university partners to ensure messaging consistency and timely promotion.
• Stakeholder and Vendor Coordination (20%)
  • Serve as the primary operational liaison for event-related partners, vendors, and collaborators.
  • Coordinate with faculty, staff, students, alumni, donors, university departments, and external partners involved in event planning and implementation.
  • Develop and maintain productive relationships with vendors, venues, production companies, caterers, and other service providers.
  • Facilitate communication among stakeholders throughout the event planning process to ensure alignment and effective coordination.
  • Support collaboration across OCS teams to ensure events advance Climate Commitment priorities and organizational goals.
  • Represent OCS professionally when working with internal and external event partners.
• Assessment, Reporting, and Continuous Improvement (10%)
  • Support evaluation and continuous improvement of Climate Commitment events and engagement activities.
  • Collect and analyze event participation, attendee engagement, budget, and feedback metrics.
  • Develop post-event reports and recommendations that inform future planning and decision-making.
  • Identify opportunities to improve event effectiveness, operational efficiency, participant experience, and organizational impact.
  • Support reporting related to Climate Commitment engagement and outreach activities.
• OCS Administration and Support (5%)
  • Support OCS-wide initiatives, programs, and events as needed.
  • Complete administrative responsibilities necessary to ensure effective program delivery.
  • Contribute to a collaborative team environment and support cross-functional priorities across the Office of Climate and Sustainability.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree and 3 years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
• Demonstrated experience managing multiple complex projects, events, and competing priorities simultaneously.
• Strong project management, organizational, and execution skills.
• Experience coordinating events involving diverse stakeholder groups.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a collaborative, fast-paced environment.
• Demonstrated attention to detail and commitment to high-quality execution.
• Proficiency with event management, communications, and project management tools.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in higher education, nonprofit, sustainability, communications, public relations, or related environments.
• Experience supporting executive-level events and stakeholder engagement activities.
• Familiarity with climate, sustainability, education, or mission-driven programming.
• Experience with event assessment, reporting, and data management.

Pay

Duke University provides an annual base salary range for this position as USD $49,939.00 to USD $79,487.00. Duke considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position; candidate's work experience, education/training, and key skills; internal peer equity; as well as market and organizational considerations when extending an offer.

Benefits

Duke provides comprehensive and competitive medical and dental care programs, generous retirement benefits, and a wide array of family-friendly and cultural programs to eligible team members. Learn more.