Associate Director Of Event Management

At Leeds, we have an outstanding vantage point, and while we’re located at the foot of the Rocky Mountains, we’re not talking about the scenery. Set in the heart of Boulder, Colorado—one of the nation’s most vibrant business communities—Leeds offers unparalleled access to world-changing entrepreneurs, national research institutions and award-winning faculty!

Event Logistics, Planning and Assessment for Leeds Events

• Serving as the lead event planner and resource for Leeds, field new requests for event planning support made by partners; collaborate with Executive Director of Marketing and Community Engagement, teammates and partners to ensure that experiences align with Leeds’ mission, vision and strategic priorities; assign events to appropriate event managers to initiate planning processes.
• Provide consultation, resources, and recommendations to staff and faculty holding events not managed by the Leeds events team.
• Use project management and leadership skills for event assignments, planning and implementation of events, including event execution, logistics, vendor and contract management; securing venues and vendors, and initiating, delegating, and/or approving contracts and forms for routing, working closely with Leeds operations and finance/accounting/procurement staff.
• Ensure adherence to project/event budgets, assisting with their development; propose annual budget for event supplies, equipment, and other needs to elevate guest experiences and event effectiveness.
• Conduct timely event debriefing meetings with event planners and partners for every event and use metrics data collected as part of the assessment strategy; document, present, and implement ways to improve the event in the future.
• Partnering with the Executive Director and events team, develop clear metrics for successful events; create, document, present, implement and update event assessment strategies to evaluate event success and effectiveness, documenting and presenting opportunities for improvement. Make recommendations for event efficiencies, redundancies and potential event collaborations between partners.
• Create or refine planning processes, resources, tools, for the events team and other partners who are involved in event planning.

Event Marketing and Brand Management

• Maintain the school’s online event calendar and work to reduce scheduling issues including overlapping events; assist with room reservations for events and facilitate conversations to ensure appropriate space availability/reservations.
• Using Salesforce, Slate, and other CRM tools, ensure a positive experience for event attendees that includes appropriate details shared in advance with audiences; identify new ways for the Leeds brand to be appropriately and consistently incorporated into event communications and event design.
• Develop processes to ensure events, attendee registrations, and other important information is captured in Salesforce, Slate or other CRM by event staff; leverage technology and other tools to record event details including event metrics for future reference and planning.
• Collaborate with Leeds Marketing and Communications to uphold visual brand guidelines around events and ensure that events meet University and School branding requirements and strategic goals. Work closely with others to create communication plans and timelines to promote events as appropriate; develop resources that event planners can use to communicate appropriately.

Department Leadership and Staff Supervision

• As part of the teams that implement events, attend engagements planned by managers or partners to ensure events meet standards; support event staffing, providing relief or filling in for vacancies as needed; engage with attendees to represent the Leeds School and provide excellent customer service and troubleshoot problems as they arise.
• Ensure event planners understand the purpose and role of Leeds events as they relate to the school’s mission, values and strategic priorities; model, coach and reinforce the best ways to ensure a positive experience that ensures events meet goals.
• Supervise team, providing timely feedback via performance evaluations, one-on-one meetings, coaching, and professional development opportunities that elevate engagement and impact for attendees.
• As the leader of the team, work with the Executive Director to identify, determine and communicate strategic priorities; provide leadership for the school’s largest and most important events such as commencement and step in to implement special projects.
• Hire, supervise, and retain a team of event managers who understand their roles and expectations for high-quality events; provide ongoing leadership and support to build a healthy team environment, high morale and job satisfaction; demonstrate positive leadership by example, upholding Leeds' values, priorities, and policies.
• Train staff to apply standardized planning tools including event briefs, attendee surveys, and budget tracking sheets that manage all expenses and income to achieve budget; supervise team efforts with contract negotiations, vendor relationships and event execution.
• Create reports, proposals, and presentations regarding events for the Leeds cabinet and events team.

The hiring range for this position is $82,800-$87,000 annually. Relocation assistance is available for eligible candidates.

• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited institution and two years of relevant experience. A combination of education and/or experience will substitute for the degree on a year-for-year basis.

• Adaptable and flexible when changes in priorities occur.
• Proven success working with and building relationships with a diverse range of constituents including employees, students, volunteers, alumni, donors, campus colleagues, and vendors.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Demonstrated high-quality customer service skills, exemplifying the continuous priority of customer service daily.
• Promote creating an inclusive environment to reflect our values and vision at Leeds.
• Confidence to take initiative and work independently, as well as ensure collaboration is cultivated within the unit.
• Strong leadership skills with a proven track record of leading teams in a fast-paced, multi-project environment.
• Ability to multi-task while ensuring results are achieved within the allocated timeline.
• Proven success in implementing innovative programs that support an organization’s vision, mission, and goals.

• Experience planning events for 200+ attendees.
• 3 years of experience managing professional employees.
• 5 years of experience in event planning and project management.
• Experience working in higher education or with business programs.
• Experience in project management, with proven success in hosting a range of events to meet various goals (enrollment, student success, advancement/development, etc.)