Virginia’s community colleges have a 50-year track record of educational excellence and innovation to serve the needs of our citizens and strengthen the Commonwealth’s economy. When Virginia’s General Assembly established the Virginia Community College System in 1966, the need for a comprehensive system was well known. Over the two decades after the end of World War II, leaders in government, business, professional sectors, and academia had called for a new approach to providing educational opportunities. A key concern was Virginia’s ability to develop a skilled and knowledgeable workforce to expand the state’s economy. Today our community colleges allow every Virginian to gain a quality education. With 23 colleges on 40 campuses located throughout the state, Virginia’s Community Colleges are committed to serving Virginia families, helping them acquire the knowledge and skills to seize the opportunities of today and tomorrow.

The Student Success Center provides and supports a range of professional development meetings/trainings/conferences for faculty, staff, administrators, and various stakeholders in support of Virginia’s Community Colleges mission. This position supports all aspects of these professional development events from concept to execution. This position is responsible for the smooth running of these professional development events from initial planning and liaison with clients to coordination of people and activities onsite. This position supports the execution of the initial documents which outlines the layout and concept of each professional development event, the procurement of venues, goods and services working in conjunction with the Shared Services Center as well as our fiscal services division. This position interacts directly with the department leads to research, plan, prepare, support, execute and evaluate each professional development event to the satisfaction of the department.

Minimum Qualifications

• Ability to direct workflow to support staff ensuring capability to complete projects that exceed expectations

• Advanced ability to work under pressure while coordinating multiple programs, projects, and/or events simultaneously

• Excellent oral and written communication skills, and organizational skills

• Ability to work in a cooperative and timely manner with variety of groups including fellow team members, faculty, staff, administrators, and system leadership

• Proven ability to work independently and with little to no supervision or direction

• Proven ability to implement new procedures and tools to successfully increase the workflow

• Demonstrated proficiency in computer skills, including but not limited to Microsoft Office applications, Google Workspace, and event planning systems

• Proven use of eVA purchasing system

• Ability to negotiate contracts with vendors to ensure quality services/products from vendors for programs/events

• Ability to operate within the approved guidelines to ensure costs are controlled and in line with state guidelines

• Maintain multiple external relationships key to the coordination of successful events. These external relationships may include internal staff, vendors, hotel sales managers, hotel event coordinators, and sponsors as well as speakers and panelists related to a respective industry

• Facilitate all logistical matters related to a successful professional development event. This may include but is not limited to site selection/inspection, rooming list, direct bill options, banquets, and speakers, off-site coordination, distribution of registration lists and evaluations

• Demonstrated ability to operate, set up, and troubleshoot various AV equipment including laptops, projectors, and printers
• Bachelor’s degree in event planning, hospitality, or equivalent experience

• Extensive knowledge and experience in event planning for Virginia state agencies

• Experience in a related field: sponsor/exhibition management and the hotel and catering industry

• Demonstrated excellence in successful event management

• Advanced customer service skills

• Advanced technology skills in computer applications and AV equipment set-up

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of higher education event planning
• Five years or more in experience in a higher education, state agency, and/or association in event planning

Special Requirements