Strategic Events Manager

About the role

The Strategic Events Manager oversees the Knauss School of Business schoolwide events portfolio, including events hosted by the Dean, administrative departments and Centers of Distinction. The position plans, coordinates, and executes end to end delivery of flagship public programs, academic events, student and faculty events, donor and VIP engagements, and internal engagements.

Responsibilities

• Reviews all proposed events within the Knauss School, including those within Centers of Distinction, to ensure alignment with School strategic priorities and goals.
• Aligns event objectives with School strategy to elevate reputation and advance engagement goals.
• Schedules events in a manner that avoids overlap and increases opportunity for positive brand exposure amongst campus and community audiences.
• Led the design, calendar, and end-to-end production of major Knauss School events.
• Coordinates with the Dean, Dean Team, Center Directors, Critical Operating Directors, and Advancement to use events for cultivation, stewardship, and alumni/community engagement.
• Implements pre- and post-event touchpoints (briefing notes, seating charts, talking points, follow-up communications).
• Tracks interactions and outcomes in the University’s CRM to inform next-step strategies.
• Establishes success metrics (attendance, satisfaction, pipeline/activity generation, etc.) and conducts post-event assessments for continuous improvement.
• Ensures compliance with University policies, accessibility standards, and risk management protocols.
• Manages event budgets, contracts, and vendor performance for Knauss School events, including the securing and oversight of any vendors during the events themselves; negotiates terms to ensure quality, value, and fiscal stewardship.
• Directs logistics (venue, AV, catering, security, accessibility, travel/hosting, etc.) and on-site production.
• Develops standard operating procedures, timelines, and checklists.
• Leads after-event reviews to drive efficiencies.
• Provides best practice and training to units engaging in events including but not limited to Centers of Distinction.
• Supervises, trains, and supports the Strategic Events Coordinator.
• Serves as liaison to University departments and external partners to align calendars, resources, and priorities.
• Supports select School-wide or University events and special projects, as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with preference given to Business, Marketing and/or related field of study.
• 3 years of work experience in event marketing, product marketing, email marketing, campaign planning, digital marketing, messaging, positioning, copywriting, project management, and/or related field.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Business, Marketing or a related field.
• 3+ years of progressively responsible event marketing experience including product marketing, email marketing, digital marketing, messaging, copywriting and/or project management.
• Experience working in higher education.

Skills

• Computers and software (including MS Word, Excel, Internet, Web, etc.).
• Anticipating, identifying and resolving technical software issues.
• Excellent skill in using business software systems in the completion of work assignments; i.e. Word and Excel, PowerPoint, and customer relations management (CRM) software.
• Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, including comfort engaging with senior leaders, donors, and public figures.
• Event promotion and marketing.
• Interacting with the professional business community.
• Demonstrated knowledge of event strategy, design, and execution for academic or nonprofit institutions.
• Developing and managing event budgets, contracts, and vendor relationships effectively.
• Exercising self-initiative and creativity.
• Be able to function with a high degree of autonomy.
• Demonstrated capacity for developing and understanding strategy.
• Operation of personal computer equipment and web management.
• Time management and organization of multi-tasking work requirements.
• Communicating effectively both verbally and in writing.
• Able to use mature judgment.
• To form productive working relationships with faculty, staff and administration.
• Working with diverse personalities.
• Being flexible and versatile in coping with evolving work situations.
• Ability to focus on technical details in an environment with many distractions.
• Able to handle the stress of last-minute deadlines and changes.
• Able to assume responsibility and effectively resolve problems by exercising independent judgement.