SCL Special Event Planner

Student & Campus Life (SCL) inspires transformation in all Cornell students on their journey of individual, academic and personal evolution. Our division is comprised of leading student affairs experts who support our campus on pressing student life matters including public service, health, wellbeing, connection and belonging, residential living, food services, sports, recreation, career services, and student activities and organizations including sorority and fraternity life. We provide support and services to roughly 25,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students on multiple campuses in the U.S. and abroad.

As a part of the Campus Life Enterprise group, the Conference and Event Services (CES) supports the planning and execution of high-volume conferences and special on-campus events, ranging from small meetings to large university-wide events. This team is driven by a passion for attention to detail, providing an excellent guest and user experience, and working collaboratively with a very broad range of university constituents to ensure operational coordination and delivery.

As a part of the larger CLES unit, and reporting to the Executive Director of Conference and Event Services, the University Events team supports the management, planning and execution of special on-campus events, ranging from small meetings to large university-wide events. This team is driven by a passion for attention to details, providing an excellent guest and user experience, and working collaboratively with a very broad range of university constituents to ensure operational coordination and delivery.

   

Reporting to the Associate Director of University Special Events, the SCL Special Event Planner will provide support to large-scale and high-profile university events sponsored by students organizations, university departments, and/or community organizations as well as serve as is a critical point-of-contact for coordinating special programs and complex events for the Office of University Events,  SCL’s Office of the Vice President and SCL Alumni Affairs and Development (AA&D) teams (primarily Athletics) that often involve volunteers, key alumni and major gift donors. This work will include taking the logistical lead on planning, organizing, and executing a large variety of events for the University and SCL that support students, staff, parents/family, alumni, and high-level donors. This includes serving as the primary point of contact for key elements needed to execute a successful event, such as venue reservations, audio/visual needs, photography, food/catering, transportation, room layouts, facility needs, lodging, etc., and is often in place to deliver an overall excellent hospitality experience during events. In collaboration with other university departments and student organizations, this role will also help support, strategize, and prioritize guest engagement opportunities, budget, and programming for each assigned event.

While position responsibilities vary, every member of our community is expected to foster a culture of belonging and a healthy work environment by communicating across differences; being cooperative, collaborative, open, and welcoming; showing respect, compassion, and empathy; engaging and supporting others regardless of background or perspective; speaking up when others are being excluded or treated inappropriately; and supporting work/life integration of oneself and others.

A successful Event Planner will:

• Have a passion for problem-solving and logistics and have a high level of attention to detail with timely coordination to be able to successfully manage multiple ongoing projects, events and priorities in various stages of delivery.

• Function with a high level of autonomy and independence and demonstrate a willingness to take initiative and respond appropriately to emerging priorities

• Possess a service-minded approach in order to interact collaboratively with a broad range of internal and community stakeholders as well as clients and customers and will leverage those relationships to ensure excellent service delivery to guests, parents, alumni and friends.

• Ensure effective communication and discretion while working with sensitive or confidential information.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent; with at least 2 years of related experience or equivalent combination

• Demonstrated planning, project management, and organizational skills.

• Proficiency with standard office computer applications (Microsoft Office, Internet, Desktop Publishing software).

• Must have and maintain a valid driver's license and reliable transportation to effectively attend events. Some additional travel may be required.

• Proven experience connecting inclusion, belo