Job Overview
Employment Type
Full-time
Compensation
Hourly
Range $17.00 - $21.44
Work Schedule
Standard Hours
Flexible
Weekend Shifts
Benefits
Health Insurance
Dental Insurance
Paid Time Off
Retirement Plan
Paid holidays
Professional development opportunities
Flexible work schedule
Job Description
Wichita State University (WSU) is a public research university located in Wichita, Kansas. Known for its commitment to innovation and community engagement, WSU serves a diverse body of students and offers a wide range of academic programs. The university plays a significant role in advancing education, research, and cultural enrichment in the region. Beyond academics, WSU hosts numerous events throughout the year, including commencement ceremonies, conferences, and community gatherings, emphasizing inclusivity, tradition, and high-quality experiences.
The role of the Commencement & Events Coordinator at Wichita State University is a pivotal position within the university's event management team. This full-time position, based out of the WSU Metroplex campus in Wichita, KS, offers a competitive pay range of $17.00 to $21.44 per hour, depending on the candidate’s experience. The work schedule typically runs Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, with occasional requirements for evening and weekend work to support special events.
In this role, the Coordinator will be responsible for planning, coordinating, and executing commencement ceremonies along with other university events. This demands a high level of organization and attention to detail, as the Coordinator manages all aspects of event logistics including facilities, services, vendor relations, and on-site event operations. The Coordinator serves as a primary point of contact for clients and works closely with various stakeholders ranging from academic units and facilities personnel to vendors, volunteers, and external partners.
Key responsibilities include developing event plans, creating detailed production schedules, managing budgets, negotiating contracts, and overseeing event-day operations. The Coordinator also ensures that all events align with the university’s branding, values, and inclusivity standards. This position requires juggling multiple timelines and simultaneous events, making excellent project management and communication skills essential.
The ideal candidate possesses strong organizational abilities and proficiency in event planning tools, spreadsheets, and basic budget tracking. Familiarity with academic traditions, university governance, and accessibility practices is highly valued. While the minimum educational requirement is a high school diploma or equivalent with one year of relevant experience, preference is given to candidates holding a bachelor's degree and experience in higher education event coordination.
The role emphasizes a collaborative approach, requiring the Coordinator to liaise effectively with diverse groups and manage volunteers or temporary staff as needed. Critical events like commencement ceremonies involve meticulous coordination of venue logistics, seating, staging, speaker arrangements, VIP protocols, and guest services to deliver memorable and smooth experiences for graduates and attendees alike.
Physical requirements are standard for an administrative event coordination role, including the ability to remain stationary, operate office equipment, perform light physical tasks, and travel locally for event-related purposes. Overall, this position offers a unique opportunity to contribute to the university’s community experience through careful and creative event management, supporting the celebration of academic achievements and university traditions.
The role of the Commencement & Events Coordinator at Wichita State University is a pivotal position within the university's event management team. This full-time position, based out of the WSU Metroplex campus in Wichita, KS, offers a competitive pay range of $17.00 to $21.44 per hour, depending on the candidate’s experience. The work schedule typically runs Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, with occasional requirements for evening and weekend work to support special events.
In this role, the Coordinator will be responsible for planning, coordinating, and executing commencement ceremonies along with other university events. This demands a high level of organization and attention to detail, as the Coordinator manages all aspects of event logistics including facilities, services, vendor relations, and on-site event operations. The Coordinator serves as a primary point of contact for clients and works closely with various stakeholders ranging from academic units and facilities personnel to vendors, volunteers, and external partners.
Key responsibilities include developing event plans, creating detailed production schedules, managing budgets, negotiating contracts, and overseeing event-day operations. The Coordinator also ensures that all events align with the university’s branding, values, and inclusivity standards. This position requires juggling multiple timelines and simultaneous events, making excellent project management and communication skills essential.
The ideal candidate possesses strong organizational abilities and proficiency in event planning tools, spreadsheets, and basic budget tracking. Familiarity with academic traditions, university governance, and accessibility practices is highly valued. While the minimum educational requirement is a high school diploma or equivalent with one year of relevant experience, preference is given to candidates holding a bachelor's degree and experience in higher education event coordination.
The role emphasizes a collaborative approach, requiring the Coordinator to liaise effectively with diverse groups and manage volunteers or temporary staff as needed. Critical events like commencement ceremonies involve meticulous coordination of venue logistics, seating, staging, speaker arrangements, VIP protocols, and guest services to deliver memorable and smooth experiences for graduates and attendees alike.
Physical requirements are standard for an administrative event coordination role, including the ability to remain stationary, operate office equipment, perform light physical tasks, and travel locally for event-related purposes. Overall, this position offers a unique opportunity to contribute to the university’s community experience through careful and creative event management, supporting the celebration of academic achievements and university traditions.
Job Requirements
- High school diploma or equivalent
- one year of experience in office, event coordination or related field
- ability to work occasional evenings and weekends as required for events
- proficiency with event planning tools, spreadsheets, and basic budget tracking
- strong organizational and project management skills
- excellent written and verbal communication skills
- ability to manage multiple priorities under tight deadlines
- excellent customer service and communication skills
Job Qualifications
- High school diploma or equivalent
- one year of experience in office, event coordination or related field
- strong organizational and project management skills
- excellent written and verbal communication skills
- ability to manage multiple priorities under tight deadlines
- proficiency with event planning tools, spreadsheets, and basic budget tracking
- ability to work occasional evenings and weekends as required for events
- excellent customer service and communication skills
- familiarity with academic traditions and university governance structures
- knowledge of accessibility and inclusive best practices
Job Duties
- Coordinate logistics for conferences, meetings, and multi-day events
- serve as a primary point of contact for clients, from initial planning through event completion
- develop event plans, run-of-show documents, and detailed production schedules
- manage event budgets, contracts, and vendor relationships
- oversee event-day operations, including staff and volunteer supervision
- ensure events reflect university branding, values, and inclusivity standards
- plan and coordinate all aspects of commencement ceremonies, including logistics, timelines, venues, staging, seating, volunteers, and guest services
- coordinate space reservations, room setups, audiovisual needs, catering, lodging, parking, and signage
- coordinate speaker logistics, VIP protocols, and ceremonial traditions
- serve as a liaison with academic units, facilities, students, vendors, volunteers, and external partners
- conduct post-event evaluations and implement process improvements
Job Criteria
Experience
Entry Level (1-2 years)
Job Location
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