Director, Events Jobs

Director, Events

Advances the University of Iowa by managing an overall plan for centralized coordination of donor-related events and providing event-planning expertise to support fundraising and stewardship efforts. Generates event concepts and themes with outcomes focused on building relationships and enhancing the donors’ event experience, ultimately yielding increased engagement and fundraising success. Coordinates and implements events to assure quality, consistency, and effectiveness of all key aspects. Maintains strong relationships with UICA staff and campus colleagues to support the university’s fundraising priorities. 

• Serves as the primary manager for specific high-level events such as campaign-related activities, university-wide and departmental signature events (including groundbreakings and dedications), major donor stewardship and outreach, receptions, and special recognition events with a donor-centric focus; conceptualizes, manages, executes, and evaluates all event details to assure the highest quality, consistency, and effectiveness; utilizes an understanding of the development process to ensure donor-centric events

• Ensures that events are of the highest quality and have a strategic goal and purpose, and that they serve to enhance the university’s relationship with our alumni, supporters, and donors; provides appropriate messaging and engagement opportunities for a targeted audience

• Utilizes data to determine appropriate event format and audience;; provides follow-up and evaluation of events, including tracking of data such as budget, event specifics, attendance trends, etc.

• Develops guidelines and processes for UICA-sponsored events and creates resources for internal staff and campus colleagues in order to support the cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies of our organization

• Works closely with frontline fundraisers to strengthen donor relationships through meaningful events and engagement opportunities in order to support the university’s fundraising priorities

• Supports UICA colleagues by sharing organizational expectations and providing consultation, training, strategic guidance, and/or tactical/technical assistance related to the planning and implementation of events 

• Coordinates with the Communications Staff and campus partners on the production of promotional literature, newsletters, event scripts, and other print and electronic collateral in support of event activities; assist with general public relations work

• Represents the university and contributes to advancement of best practices in the field by sharing practices formally and informally with external audiences 

Education & Experience:  Bachelor’s degree + 5 years of relevant experience required, preferably in events, alumni engagement, development, higher education, or related field.