Lead Event Coordinator

USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences is seeking a highly organized, creative, and motivated Lead Event Coordinator to support and execute a wide range of events that advance the college's academic mission and fundraising priorities. As a key member of the Events Office, this position manages and supports a diverse annual portfolio of approximately 60 events per year. Events include academic lectures, conferences, advancement events, student and faculty events, recognition ceremonies, and special institutional programs.

This role combines event leadership with hands-on production support to deliver engaging, seamless, and memorable experiences for the USC community and external guests. As part of a thriving and fast-paced events office, the selected candidate will have the opportunity to develop expertise across event strategy, logistics, production, while working on high-profile events featuring university leadership, distinguished guests, students, faculty, alumni, and prominent speakers.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the planning and execution of a comprehensive annual events portfolio of approximately 60 events (per calendar year) that support USC Dornsife's academic mission, community engagement initiatives, and fundraising objectives
• Develop and maintain strong partnerships with diverse university departments and partners to coordinate successful events
• Manage event logistics including scheduling, budgeting, venue coordination, catering, transportation, and vendor management
• Provide event production support including audiovisual coordination, stage setup, presentation management, and event troubleshooting
• Coordinate run-of-show timelines and oversee event flow during live productions
• Support high-profile university events involving senior leadership, VIP guests, alumni and keynote speakers
• Partner with faculty, staff, students, alumni, and external vendors to ensure successful event delivery
• Supervise event staff, student workers, volunteers, and production crews
• Ensure all events align with USC Dornsife branding, hospitality standards, and audience engagement goals
• Additional responsibilities and special projects may be assigned based on departmental and event needs.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or (5+ years) equivalent professional event experience
• Experience in event production, hospitality, advancement, or related fields is preferred
• Familiarity with event technology, and production operations
• Strong organizational, communication, and multitasking skills
• Ability to work flexible hours including evenings and occasional weekends
• Experience in higher education, nonprofit, or live event environments preferred
• Experience with Word, PPT, Excel, Canva, Concur, Workday and Salesforce

Why Join USC Dornsife?

• Join a collaborative, energetic, and thriving events office
• Work on high-level academic and fundraising events
• Gain hands-on experience across event strategy, logistics, advancement partnerships, and production
• Collaborate with faculty, university leadership, alumni and external partners
• Access professional growth opportunities and university benefits
• Be part of a team where you will continuously learn, grow, and expand your event and production skill set

Salary range:

The hourly rate range for this position is $35-$40. When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer alignment, federal, state and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations.

To support the well-being of our faculty and staff, USC provides benefits-eligible employees with a broad range of perks to help protect their and their dependents’ health, wealth, and future. These benefits are available as part of the overall compensation and total rewards package. You can learn more about USC’s comprehensive benefits here. 

Required Documents and Additional Information:

• Resume and cover letter required (may be uploaded as one file). Please do not submit your application without these documents.

• Job openings are posted for a minimum of (5) five business days. This job may be removed from posting boards and filled any time after the minimum posting period has ended, so please apply on the same business day if interested.

Minimum Education: High school or equivalent Minimum Experience: 2 years Minimum Field of Expertise: Experience with special events planning, fundraising management and/or alumni volunteer relations management. Demonstrated proficiency in written and oral communications.