Lead Event Planner

Classification Title:

Conference-Event Planner III

Job Description:

The UF Health Cancer Center is the 72nd NCI designated cancer center and the only one at a public university in the State of Florida. As a matrix cancer center, we span 11 of the University of Florida's 16 colleges, pulling together a world-class, multi-disciplinary membership of over 330 faculty and 150 staff to address the challenges of the cancer burden faced by the population we serve as we work together to find a cure.

As our Lead Event Planner, you will be responsible for the successful planning, coordination, and execution of Center-wide seminars, conferences, meetings, special events, and symposia in support of the UFHCC's ongoing mission and strategic objectives.

In your new role you will be responsible for the following:

• Leading the planning, logistics, and execution of Center-wide seminars, conferences, and symposia, ensuring alignment with stakeholder expectations, budgets, and institutional policies.
• Overseeing event setup, vendor coordination, and day-of execution, troubleshooting issues and ensuring a seamless experience for attendees.
• Developing and managing event budgets, handling vendor contracts and payments, and ensuring compliance with UF financial policies.
• Coordinating with internal teams, external vendors, and event stakeholders, providing leadership, guidance, and support throughout the event planning process.
• Analyzing event success through feedback surveys, data reports, and debrief meetings, implementing best practices to enhance future events.

This is a senior-level position, ideal for candidates with events planning experience, ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, effectively allocate resources and direct support staff. A complete job description will be provided to candidates selected for interview.

Expected Salary:

$52,000 - $61,000; annually

This is a TEAMS position, and is eligible for a suite of excellent benefits, retirement options, and paid leave.

Minimum Requirements:

A bachelor’s degree in an appropriate area of specialization and three years of appropriate experience; or a high school diploma and seven years of appropriate experience. Appropriate college course work may substitute at an equivalent rate for the required experience.

Valid FL driver's license.

Preferred Qualifications:

Knowledge/Experience:

• Bachelors’ Degree in Hospitality or related field.
• Three or more years' experience in complex, executive conference and event planning.
• Experience with planning, executing, and evaluating programs, meetings, and conferences, including vendor selection, site selection, contracting and budgeting.
• Experience with University procurement policies and practices and effective vendor management, to include contract negotiations.
• Knowledge of University systems, as well as general administrative functions including travel, and complex meeting planning in an academic medical research or higher education environment.
• Experience working with creative professionals in graphic design, marketing, and communications to translate needs to product.
• Experience developing and managing project budgets and tracking expenditures.

Qualities:

• Highly resourceful team-player, with the ability to also be effective independently, maintain appropriate discretion, and utilize effective writing and organizational skills.
• Proven sense of professional ethics and conduct, understanding and effectively using and applying Emotional Intelligence strategies and skills.
• Demonstrated forward-thinking mentality with the ability to achieve high performance goals and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong desire to establish and maintain effective working relationships with stakeholders and critical staff, both internally and externally, through a variety of communication mediums and venues.

Skills/Abilities:

• Ability to develop and implement innovative and creative approaches to seminal events, working cross-functionally and across all levels of the organization.
• Strong organizational skills and the flexibility to handle multiple tasks and deadline pressures.
• Excellent oral and written communications skills, especially proof-reading and public speaking skills.
• Proven ability to handle confidential information with discretion, be adaptable to various competing demands, and demonstrate the highest level of customer/client service and response.
• Demonstrated ability to achieve high performance goals and meet deadlines in a fast paced environment.
• Proficiency with Mic