Assistant Director of Events

Assistant Director of Events (Hybrid)

The University of Connecticut Foundation, Inc. Storrs, CT

The University of Connecticut is a top-ranked national university and health system with its flagship campus located in idyllic Storrs. Designated a Carnegie Research 1 institution, UConn is the state land- and sea-grant university focused on education, research, and service to the state of Connecticut and beyond. The University serves over 33,000 students — 8,550 of them first in family — across seven campuses, with a legacy of national championships. UConn Health is a top-ranked health provider that delivers groundbreaking medical education, research, and hospital and clinical services to over one million patients each year. In addition, UConn has nearly 300 scientists who are in the top 2 percent of researchers globally advancing discoveries in fields ranging from cancer to AI. UConn continues its meteoric rise as a top public university with a record number of applications, continued investment in student success, health, and wellness, recruitment of top faculty, innovation in research, and top-tier athletic programs focused on the holistic success of student-athletes. UConn is proud to have 26 national championships across all sports. This includes the men's and women's basketball teams, which have brought home three consecutive NCAA National Championship trophies in the last three years. Guided by the public launch of our most ambitious campaign in history, Because of UConn: The Campaign for UConn Nation, we are moving boldly into the future. The $1.5B comprehensive campaign spans all schools, colleges, campuses, and UConn Health, focusing on four pillars designed to make education more affordable and elevate UConn among its national peers:

• Students First: making transformative investments in financial aid, student health, career readiness, and life skills to improve time-to-degree and career outcomes.
• Academic & Innovation Excellence: driving investment in top faculty and graduate fellows and building the innovation ecosystem of the state and beyond.
• Health & Wellness of People & Planet: focusing on patient care, medical research, and development of life-changing technologies that improve healthcare outcomes.
• Husky Pride: investing in athletic excellence and supporting a thriving UConn Nation that includes more than 290,000 alumni worldwide.

The campaign will have a profound impact on the University, doubling the number of named scholarships, funding scientific breakthroughs and advanced lifesaving therapies, and engaging UConn Nation in the life and mission of the University like never before. We seek the top talent in the country to join The UConn Foundation and help us drive our mission to connect people to the University of Connecticut, growing philanthropy, engaging a thriving alumni and donor community, and building a robust endowment to strategically advance UConn and UConn Health's educational, research, and service missions. We are committed to a caring and supportive work culture, professional and leadership development, and flexibility for high achievers with a passion for higher education. We're looking for dedicated professionals to drive success and excellence and exemplify our values of Purpose, Excellence, Culture, Communication, and Integrity.

The UConn Foundation is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. We celebrate different perspectives and are committed to a welcoming environment that values your unique experiences and identity. As an organization, we strive for continued growth each and every day.

Position Summary

The Assistant Director of Events is responsible for planning and executing assigned events strategy, including but not limited to fundraisers, special alumni initiatives, athletic events and affinity reunions with a strong focus on strengthening alumni and donor relationships. This position serves as the primary project manager for assigned events, including in-person, virtual, and hybrid events, overseeing every phase of the event lifecycle from initial planning through execution and post-event follow-up. Key responsibilities include registration management, contract administration, vendor sourcing and negotiation, managing event communications, marketing and invitation strategy, and coordination of all logistical elements necessary for successful event delivery.

Primary Responsibilities

• Plan, manage, and execute events start to finish, including but not limited to drafting budgets, building timelines, negotiating vendor contracts, determining collateral, managing invitations & RSVPs, sponsorships, leading collaborative meetings, providing status reports, setting speaking agendas and managing volunteer committees for all assigned events.
• Directly impact stewardship, cultivation and engagement strategies by executing impactful events and programs in a collaborative setting.
• Provide exceptional customer service to internal staff, leadership and external constituents.
• Ensure all events are managed consistently within Foundation policies and guidelines.
• Provide support to signature events as determined by the Senior Director of Foundation Events.
• Manage event registration process including accuracy of registration data, nametags, pre-event communications, and post event reconciliation.
• Demonstrate strong ability to collaborate with colleagues across all levels of the organization.
• Capture and report event/registrant information using Blackbaud Raiser's Edge queries, Excel data reporting, and data analysis.
• Create and manage event pages using digital business tools when necessary.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Engagement

Collaborate with your department and other internal stakeholders to steward donors, engage with alumni, and support Foundation events.

Leadership

Provide visible leadership across the entire organization by engaging in organization-wide activities such as department meetings, all-staff meetings, and staff events.

Seniority level Mid-Senior level

Employment type Full-time

Job function Business Development and Sales

Industries Philanthropic Fundraising Services