Job ID: 12012
Location: Seattle Colleges District Off
Full/Part Time: Full-Time
Regular/Temporary: Regular

Opportunity Description

Overview:

Are you passionate about planning and directing high-level events?

Have you directed social activities that advanced you organization's mission and enhanced its image and reputation in the eyes of key stakeholders?

If these questions resonate with you, then we invite you to consider joining our team, an equity-focused open-access college dedicated to helping all students achieve their academic and professional goals.

As an Associate Director of Events and a visible member of the Communications and Strategic Initiatives team, you will have the discretion and authority to direct events and activities that advance Seattle Colleges' image and reputation with more than a thousand external stakeholders annually (community leaders, legislators, prospective students and families, government officials, etc.) and internal stakeholders (faculty, staff, and current students).

Your primary focus will be four district events: Convocation, Discover Seattle Colleges, Commencement, and the Martin Luther King, Jr Celebration. Collectively, these events shape Seattle Colleges' image and reputation. The position also manages other events as assigned.

To achieve this, you'll collaborate with district, college, department, and division leaders and develop relationships with faculty and staff, campus stakeholders, business contacts, public officials, volunteers, and supporters. You'll also provide counsel to Seattle Colleges' college event and communication teams.

The Associate Director works in a cubicle/open workspace which may result in additional or higher levels of noise and visual distractions.

Application Procedures:

• Attach current resume
• Attach cover letter addressing how your background intersects with the job
• Attach answers to the following questions:
  • Please describe, using the elements needed to plan an event, a major event that you planned and managed from start to finish?

  • How do you feel about delegating event responsibilities to others? How do you hold them accountable and while still building engagement?

  • What's the most difficult thing you've ever had to tell a leader or client?

• Required application materials must be completed and submitted online

What you will be working on:

• Manage and execute complex districtwide multi-venue, multi-audience events with high-level external and internal stakeholders while exercising excellent long-range strategic and impromptu judgement.
• Develop event plans with measurable objectives, present to executive leadership, and implement strategies that increase engagement and awareness with pre-determined stakeholder groups, report outcomes.
• Manage event logistics and related contracts.
• Lead districtwide committees, facilitate, and build consensus to establish mutually beneficial goals and strategies, delegate assignments as needed for each event.
• Develop and recommend districtwide event policy, establishing new standards and strategies for coordinating and collaborating on events as a district.
• Manage and cultivate external relationships with vendors/venues including contract negotiation and onsite event oversight and management.
• Manage the creation of event materials (with the assistance of the communications team). This includes but is not limited to determining the theme, program, introductory remarks, speeches, videos, etc. and then engage the appropriate stakeholders to contribute and approve.
• Manage event publicity with the assistance of the communications team including mass and direct marketing tactics such as email, websites, social media, print, advertising, etc.
• Manage a $200,000 event budget.

What you bring as a candidate:

(Any Equivalent Combination of Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education and Experience)

• Bachelor's degree and seven years progressively responsible event direction work; OR any combination of relevant education, training and experience that indicate successful performance of the essential functions of the position.
• Demonstrated skill in planning and implementing event strategies.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate clearly and effectively, both verbally and written, to internal and external constituents.
• Be a strong, independent worker with excellent project and peer management skills with the ability to work well on a team.
• Ability to manage multiple projects on tight deadlines with strong attention to detail and a passion for the Seattle Colleges' mission.
• Ability to use sound judgement and decision-making skills both in long-range planning and improntu high-stress scenarios
• Strong interpersonal and people skills; commitment to outstanding customer service, with the ability to engage and build relationships with people from a wide diversity of backgrounds, cultures and faith-based communities.
• An ability to think strategically and execute tactically. Ability to think creatively. Excellent numerical and analytical skills.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Suite software and CRM-type software.
• Able to lead the design of print-ready collateral materials
• Experience writing and developing event collateral including invitations, programs, speeches, and multimedia video and presentations.
• Experience using social media and web platforms.
• Regular and reliable transportation for local travel and willing to travel when necessary. Candidate selected must have personal transportation and be willing to travel when necessary.
• Ability to work evening and weekend hours, as necessary, periodically on short or limited notice.'

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to perform range of physical motions, exerting up to 25 pounds; lifting and carrying up to 25 pounds (and 40 pounds occasionally) for event setup and tear down; standing, walking, sitting for long periods of time, kneeling, squatting, and stooping; and traversing up and down stairs.
• During Events (from setup to tear down) or on event days:
  • Ability to stand 4 or more hours continuously.
  • Ability to walk 4 or more hours continuously.
  • Ability Standing: duration of 4+ hours for events.
  • Ability to work greater than a 10-hour day.
    

Notice of Non-discrimination Statement

Inquiries regarding compliance and/or grievance procedures may be directed to the college's Director of Legal Compliance:

1500 Harvard Avenue Seattle, WA 98122-3803

(206) 934-3873

Seattle Colleges is committed to recruiting dedicated faculty and employees who together create a welcoming academic climate that reflects the diverse backgrounds of our community, including ethnicity, national origin, religion, race, gender, gender identity, age, status as a veteran or disabled veteran, disability, political status, and sexual orientation.