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Overview
Reporting to the Deputy Vice President for Alumni Engagement (DVP), the Director, Advancement Events (“Director”) is responsible for managing the overall strategic quality and tactical efficiency of programs and operations across a broad spectrum of alumni and donor engagement events that support the University’s highest priorities. These events can range from small gatherings to large-scale conferences with multiple components and complex programming designed to increase interest in volunteerism, advocacy and philanthropy. The Director is a member of the Alumni Engagement senior leadership team and directly interfaces with Advancement colleagues as well as with University administration, University trustees, alumni, donors, prospects, volunteers, faculty, students, campus partners and vendors.
Princeton University Advancement’s mission is to inform, involve and inspire Princeton’s global community of alumni and friends to serve the University and its mission. We rely on strong partnerships with our volunteers and campus partners. Our strategy emphasizes the long view, honoring the relationships nurtured by those who came before us and empowering those who come after us to successfully build on our efforts.
Princeton University is a vibrant scholarly community with a longstanding commitment to service. Chartered in 1746, Princeton is the fourth-oldest college in the United States. As a world-renowned research university, Princeton pursues the highest levels of excellence in the discovery and transmission of knowledge and understanding. It is distinctive among research universities in its dedication to undergraduate teaching. The University enrolls approximately 5,200 undergraduate students and 2,600 graduate students. It has more than 940,000 alumni around the world.
Responsibilities
Department Management
• Direct the administrative and functional operation of the events.
• In partnership with the DVP, develop and manage the departmental budget (currently 1.5M) using University resources effectively and efficiently to accomplish the mission of the office in the highest quality manner and direct financial reporting.
• Direct accounts payable processing of event expenses ranging from 1.5-3M dollars.
• Manage staffing resources and assignments, drive proactive task management and generate timely communication to relevant event partners and leadership.
• Lead, manage and coach a professional team responsible for the execution of alumni, volunteer and donor engagement events in support of the University’s highest priorities.
• Analyze data, create reports and monitor key performance indicators. Ensure successful implementation of new registration system and other event technology advancements.
• Work with direct reports on strategy and goal setting within their teams; recommend changes and improvements; celebrate achievements and set expectations for future success; Provide regular updates to the DVP on the progress of the above.
• Identify and develop tools to ensure comprehensive event planning and execution and increase overall efficiency and customer service. Responsible for keeping appraised of industry best practices and new technologies. Benchmark with peer educational institutions as well as in corporate and non-traditional avenues to inspire new, creative ideas and approaches.
Strategic Planning
• Collaborate with Advancement Senior Leadership Team (ASLT), and Advancement colleagues to create and deliver strategic events with a high standard of excellence, innovation and meticulous attention to detail.
• Partner with Director, Strategic Engagement Initiatives and ASLT Executive Sponsors to develop a long-range planning calendar for Advancement Event activities.
• Direct event activities and processes designed to build strategic alignment around goals, objectives and key messaging.
• The Director is a member of the Alumni Engagement senior leadership team and as such is expected to collaborate with colleagues in Advancement Communications and Alumni Engagement to provide optimal experiential opportunities.
• Maintain effective relationships with colleagues, administrators, faculty, alumni and donors of all levels. Represent Alumni Engagement in campus meetings.
Event Execution
• Oversee all aspects of event-based engagement execution including project management, event design, vendor management and day of event management.
• Conduct site visits and provide on-site staffing for a select group of high profile engagement and donor events.
• Partner with Advancement Communications colleagues to design and implement effective materials related to the event experience.
Qualifications
Essential Qualifications:
• Bachelor’s degree and 8-10 years of professional experience in high-profile events management, preferably in higher education or a non-profit setting.
• Prior supervisory experience.
• International event planning experience.
• Demonstrated experience as a manager and supervisor of staff, including the ability to motivate people, build buy-in around organizational goals and decisions, lead teams through change, measure and manage performance, facilitate meetings and develop processes and policies designed to optimize the effectiveness and productivity of the office and its members.
• Exceptional customer-orientation focus and excellent written, oral and interpersonal communication skills.
• Proven ability to develop and foster relationships with people at all levels of an organization, and to collaborate and influence at a high level.
• Evidence of self-motivation and the ability to work both independently and in teams, with the highest standards of professionalism and performance representative of Princeton’s commitment to excellence.
• Excellent planning and project management skills necessary to set and monitor progress against goals, to develop plans and timelines, and to measure success toward goals.
• Ability to respond quickly to changing business needs and priorities and to handle multiple projects simultaneously.
• Ability to produce high-quality and compelling work product under tight deadlines and work with a high degree of flexibility in a highly-collaborative, fast-paced, goal-oriented environment.
• Evening and weekend hours as well as domestic and international travel may be required.
• Commitment to the University Advancement’s mission of informing, involving and inspiring Princeton’s global community of alumni and friends to serve the University and its mission and to its guiding principles of High Performance, Innovation, Civility and Collaboration.
Preferred Qualifications:
• Familiarity with Princeton University, its alumni and its traditions
• Familiarity with the principles of fundraising and the importance of philanthropy
Princeton University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. KNOW YOUR RIGHTS
Standard Weekly Hours
36.25
Eligible for Overtime
No
Benefits Eligible
Yes
Probationary Period
180 days
Essential Services Personnel (see policy for detail)
No
Physical Capacity Exam Required
No
Valid Driver’s License Required
No
Experience Level
Director
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