Director of Conferences and Events

Northwest Nazarene University (NNU) is a distinguished private Christian university located in Nampa, Idaho, with a legacy deeply rooted in the Church of the Nazarene. Established with a commitment to academic excellence and spiritual growth, NNU serves a diverse student body by fostering an inclusive environment that reflects the cultural and ethnic diversity of the body of Christ. The university offers a range of undergraduate and graduate programs designed to prepare students for meaningful careers and service-oriented lives. With a mission centered on faith, learning, and service, NNU integrates rigorous academic scholarship with a Christian worldview to empower students to become ethical leaders and compassionate global citizens.

The Office of Finance & Operations at Northwest Nazarene University plays a critical role in supporting the university's mission by overseeing financial management, facilities, and operational functions. As a vital part of this office, the Director of Conferences and Events is tasked with orchestrating all conference and event activities on campus. This full-time, exempt position reports directly to the Vice President for Finance & Operations and is essential for ensuring that events align with the university’s mission while providing exceptional service to both internal and external stakeholders.

The Director of Conferences and Events leads the strategic planning, scheduling, coordination, and execution of all university conferences and events. This includes managing internal scheduling processes and developing an external marketing strategy to maximize campus utilization. The role involves overseeing proposal development, contract negotiations, and budget management for events to ensure financial accountability and sustainability. A key responsibility is to coordinate the master schedule in collaboration with the Office of Student Development and the Master Calendar Committee, ensuring smooth integration of university activities.

Additionally, the director facilitates cross-departmental communication and plans hallmark events such as the Board of Trustees meetings, Homecoming, and Commencement ceremonies. Supervisory duties include hiring, training, and managing staff, students, volunteers, and contracted service providers, ensuring that all personnel perform effectively and align with university standards. This position serves as the primary contact for rental clients and external partners, assessing the mission fit of prospective programs and maintaining positive relationships. The director also ensures logistical support for events, including box office operations, ushering, parking, concessions, and audience services.

Facility oversight forms another important aspect of this role, with responsibilities including the assessment of campus facilities and equipment inventories. The director proposes capital equipment purchases and deferred maintenance projects to maintain and enhance event spaces, contributing to the overall infrastructure's quality and functionality. The position requires the ability to work independently under pressure, multitask efficiently, and communicate effectively in a diverse academic environment.

The role demands a candidate who is motivated by the mission of Northwest Nazarene University and comfortable working within a Christian educational setting, preferably aligned with the Wesleyan tradition. The university values leadership, strong organizational skills, and the ability to foster a collaborative atmosphere among varied constituents. This comprehensive role offers a competitive salary range of $47,600 to $56,000, commensurate with education and experience, and includes access to a robust benefits package covering health, vision, dental, life and disability insurance, tuition benefits, paid leave, professional development opportunities, and retirement plans.

Joining Northwest Nazarene University as Director of Conferences and Events means contributing to a respected institution committed to spiritual and academic excellence. The role not only involves managing complex events but also actively supporting the university’s vision to cultivate lifelong learners who demonstrate Christlike character and serve their communities with dedication and compassion.