Assistant/Associate Director of Campus Events and Internal Client Lead

Kenyon College is conducting a search for a qualified applicant to fill the position of Assistant/Associate Director of Campus Events and Internal Client Lead. A member of the Campus Events team and reporting to the Director of Campus Events, the Assistant Director plays a key role in the broad range of academic and academic-adjacent events that contribute to the intellectual and cultural life of the campus. This position leads the planning, coordination, and execution of the College’s major academic and ceremonial events, including Opening Convocation, Founders’ Day, Honors Day, Baccalaureate, and Commencement.

The successful candidate will possess strong event planning, logistical, and operational management skills, including experience with budgeting, vendor coordination, and event execution. They should be collaborative, proactive, and capable of working independently while supervising student workers and supporting high-profile campus events with creativity, flexibility, and integrity 

Primary Responsibilities 

• Lead the planning, coordination, promotion, and execution of the College’s major academic ceremonies, including Opening Convocation, Founders’ Day, Honors Day, Baccalaureate, and Commencement.
• Provide planning and operational support for faculty lectureships and academically sponsored programs. 
• Support major campus programs and summer events during peak periods.
• Support campus partners in planning programs and events that contribute to campus life and student engagement, including but not limited to Academic Departments, Student Engagement, First-Year Experience, and the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.
• Assist with the management and stewardship of Cromwell Cottage, the President’s residence. Including developing and maintaining inventory systems for catering supplies and event materials, as well as coordinating seasonal décor and supporting events hosted at the President’s home.

Core Operational & Relationship Management 

• Establish and maintain strong working relationships and clear communication with the Chair of the Faculty, Head Faculty Marshal, and Chair of the Faculty Lectureships Committee. 
• Work collaboratively with the President’s Office, faculty, staff, and other campus partners.
• Provide exceptional guest service through effective on-site event management. 
• Maintain knowledge of campus venues, classroom capacities, audiovisual resources, and event equipment inventories.
• Develop and maintain relationships with external vendors and service providers, including photographers, videographers, caterers, rental agencies, and production partners.
• Ability to work independently, manage competing priorities, and exercise sound judgment and decision-making. 
• Assist with financial and administrative processes, including invoice processing, budget management, and event financial tracking. 
• Prepare and distribute event communications and materials for participants and stakeholders.
• Demonstrate professionalism, diplomacy, and sound judgment while collaborating with faculty, senior leadership, students, vendors, and other campus partners. 
• Recruit, train, schedule, and supervise student event staff.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Key Attributes

The ideal candidate for the Assistant Director of Campus Events role is highly organized, detail-oriented, and skilled at managing multiple large-scale, time-sensitive projects in a fast-paced environment. They possess strong communication, interpersonal, and relationship-building skills and demonstrate professionalism, diplomacy, sound judgment, and effective collaboration with faculty, senior leadership, students, vendors, and campus partners. Success in this role requires adaptability, problem-solving skills, composure under pressure, and a strong commitment to customer service and hospitality.

This is a full-time, exempt position with full benefits. The position requires working designated weekends and evenings.

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree required.
Previous experience in event planning and management is preferred.  

Working Conditions

Work is generally performed in an office environment but also requires navigating between and within campus facilities, including up and down stairs, and outdoors in various weather conditions. Must possess a valid driver’s license and meet campus requirements to drive campus vehicles. Some evening and weekend work is required.

Kenyon Coll