Assistant Director of University Events

Aurora University (AU) is a renowned private university located in Aurora, Illinois, committed to the transformative power of learning by creating a student-centered environment and ensuring equity of experience and opportunity for students, faculty, and staff from diverse backgrounds. The university fosters a culture of collaboration, generosity, and belonging, making it a special place for its community. AU's mission centers on providing access to education that values innovation, continuous improvement, and positively impacts the communities it serves. The majority of its students live and work in Illinois, reflecting the university's strong community ties and contributions to workforce development in fields such as nursing, education, business, technology, and social work. Aurora University also prides itself on being an inclusive, innovative, and equity-focused institution that approaches higher education as a matter of social justice, requiring broad collaboration among faculty, staff, students, and community partners. It supports continuous professional development and offers comprehensive benefits to its employees.

The Assistant Director of University Events at AU plays an integral role within the University Events department, assisting in the coordination and execution of a wide range of campus events that support the university's mission, vision, and core values. This full-time, salaried position with an annual salary range of $63,000 to $68,000 is based in Aurora, Illinois, and requires collaboration with various university departments, vendors, and external stakeholders. The Assistant Director is responsible for supporting presidential and other high-level campus events, managing event registrations including popular programs such as Arts and Ideas, and ensuring seamless event operations by providing on-site assistance and utilizing specialized event management software like 25LivePro and Smart Draw. This role requires the candidate to effectively handle confidential information and demonstrate a high level of interpersonal skills to engage with a diverse university community.

Key competencies for the role include representing Aurora University positively to prospective and current students and external partners, upholding the university's mission to empower students through inclusive learning experiences, and actively participating in university committees and activities. The Assistant Director must possess strong organizational skills, the ability to manage multiple simultaneous projects, and problem-solving capabilities. The position also demands some evening, holiday, and weekend work to support university-sanctioned events. With a bachelor’s degree as a minimum educational requirement, alongside three to five years of event coordination experience preferably within higher education, the successful candidate will find a supportive workplace with opportunities for continued professional growth. AU offers an excellent benefits package including health, dental, life, and vision insurance, long-term disability coverage, a 403(b) retirement plan with employer matching, flexible spending accounts, paid time off, holidays, and tuition assistance programs for employees and their families. Aurora University is committed to equal employment opportunity and values diversity in its workforce, making this an ideal opportunity for passionate individuals dedicated to making a positive impact through their work in higher education event management.