Sr. Director-Events Administration

Provides leadership, vision, strategy, and execution of complex campus events hosted in Harper’s state of the art Wojcik Conference Center as well as for Harper’s most high-profile and mission driven events (e.g., graduations, ribbon cuttings, groundbreaking ceremonies, VIP presidential events, employer summits, convocation ceremonies, speaker series, anniversary celebrations, and presidential galas). 

Responsibilities for this senior role include managing event planning from top to bottom: logistics, production, budgets, staffing, communications, and post-event analysis. Providing concierge level service to internal and external guests including trustees, donors, elected officials, and other Harper constituents.  Ensuring events are executed in the spirit of excellence, within budget, and enhance the college’s brand and community engagement.  

Leads the planning, logistical coordination, and execution of identified College-wide events and provides event planning consultation for department level events. Facilitates external constituents use of campus facilities for agreed non-revenue and co-sponsored events. Has administrator responsibilities for the Manager of the Wojcik Conference Center (WCC) and for the Manager of Event Services (PAC, J Theater, Pavilion, Campus Events). Responsible for the development of emerging revenue opportunities for assigned operational areas and other campus rental areas. 

Job functions include project management, special events planning, presentation and meetings management, budget management, and staff oversight. 

Responsible for the development and achievement of departmental goals and objectives, interpreting institutional directives, evaluating performance, and assuring that departmental operations comply with the strategic goals and vision of the institution.

Responsible for the development and financial oversight of operational budgets for WCC and Campus Events in the PAC, J Theatre, Pavilion, or other rental spaces. Authorizes expenditures, reviews monthly financial statements, and ensures that effective fiscal controls are maintained over assigned operational areas.

Recommends procedural and policy changes to improve operational efficiencies and fiscal integrity of the Wojcik Conference Center and other revenue generating rental spaces and facilities.

Establishes departmental procedures consistent with Harper’s Core Values of Respect, Integrity, Collaboration, and Excellence while fostering a culture of service excellence motivating staff to continually improve processes, client satisfaction, and teamwork.

Interfaces and maintains effective working relationships with vendors and internal stakeholders including student engagement, Harper College Police Department, Risk Management, facilities, IT, food services, and marketing services.

Provides weekly report on upcoming campus events to the President’s Office, Campus Police, and the communications team.

Convenes and leads the Events Super User committee.

Develops and communicates the colleges’ policies and procedures regarding use of campus facilities.

Facilitates requests for use of Alcohol on campus and ensures that all requests follow Board of Trustees Policy and as required by law. Obtain required state and local permits and licenses for use of Alcohol on campus.

Design and implement marketing plans, assist in the creation of promotional materials, manage event calendars and registration systems, and coordinate with the Harper College Communications team.

Provide oversight and review of all rental agreements for non-academic use of space on campus.

Prepares and monitors all job-related budgets having strategic oversight for meeting annual auxiliary revenue targets.

Supervises related staff establishing performance goals for all direct reports encouraging professional development and providing annual evaluations.

Participates in professional development activities to ensure professional growth and knowledge needed to provide effective leadership in the administration of campus events.

Oversee high-level issues including managing and resolving any significant operational or personnel issues that arise within the department. This includes the assessment of staff needs and making recommendations to the Vice President of Workforce Solutions & Strategic Alliances as needed.

Participates in college and related committee meetings as appropriate including serving on the President’s Learning Council (PLC) and regularly attending monthly Board of Trustee (BOT) meetings and monthly Committee of the Whole (COW) meetings with the Board of Trustees.

Business Development and Revenue Growth

Responsible for generating a pipeline of potential new business opportunities for the Wojcik Conference Center, Events Management (PAC, J Theatre, Pavilion), and other campus spa