Director of Signature Events & Engagement

West Palm Beach, FL, USA|

Job Overview

Benefits

Health Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Paid Time Off

Retirement Plan

Professional Development

Employee assistance program

Job Description

The university is a renowned institution committed to fostering academic excellence, innovation, and community engagement. It prides itself on cultivating an environment where students, faculty, and staff work collaboratively to achieve outstanding educational outcomes and impactful research. Known for its vibrant campus culture and dedication to inclusivity, the university offers diverse programs that prepare students for global leadership and service. With a strong emphasis on community partnership and holistic development, the university continuously strives to elevate its status as a premier institution that supports both intellectual and personal growth.

The Director of Signature Events & Engagement plays a critical role within this esteemed university. This leadership position is responsible for orchestrating high-profile institutional events that include distinguished speakers, executive guests, major lectures, commencement ceremonies, and donor engagements. As the university's primary liaison between senior leadership and external partners, the Director ensures that all events are planned and executed with the utmost professionalism, hospitality, and accuracy.

The role demands a strategic and detail-oriented individual who can manage complex logistics, develop comprehensive run-of-show schedules, coordinate communication between multiple stakeholders, and deliver a seamless experience for university executives and esteemed guests alike. This position oversees every detail of event communication, speaker coordination, executive logistics, and cross-functional planning. Whether it’s ensuring executive travel arrangements are flawless or managing the backstage operations during a major campus event, the Director of Signature Events & Engagement supports the university’s mission by creating memorable and impactful experiences.

In addition to managing event production, the Director collaborates closely with various university departments such as Marketing, Communications, Public Relations, Advancement, Security, and Academic Leadership. This collaboration ensures that all events have aligned objectives, promotional support, and institutional compliance. The role requires maintaining confidentiality, professionalism, and discretion, especially given the high stakes involved with executive leadership engagements and donor interactions.

This is a full-time role with an expectation of working non-routine hours during peak event seasons and traveling up to 25% of the time to support off-campus events or speaker coordination. The ideal candidate will bring more than five years of experience in executive-level event planning and extensive skills in hospitality, communication, and project management. The university values a Christ-first faith-based approach in supporting the spiritual and community needs of its members, which aligns with the values expected from the Director of Signature Events & Engagement.

Overall, this position is pivotal in elevating the university’s brand and reputation by ensuring every signature event is executed with excellence, reflects the university’s values, and fosters ongoing relationships with key stakeholders and donors. Under the leadership of the Director, these events will continue to inspire engagement, strengthen community ties, and support the university’s strategic goals.

Job Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in communications, hospitality, event management, marketing, public relations, or related field required
Minimum of 5 years experience in executive event planning or related hospitality and guest relations
Exceptional organizational and communication skills
Ability to interact professionally with executives, donors, and distinguished guests
Ability to travel up to 25% of the time
Availability to work non-routine hours during peak event periods
Ability to sit for prolonged periods
Ability to traverse campus and stairs
Ability to lift or move objects up to 50 pounds
Commitment to maintaining confidentiality and discretion
Demonstrated Christian faith orientation and spiritual support capability
Strong problem-solving and conflict management skills
Ability to manage multiple complex projects simultaneously under pressure

Job Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in communications, hospitality, event management, marketing, public relations, or a related field
5+ years of experience in executive event planning, guest relations, hospitality, university events, or high-level production coordination
Exceptional organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills
Prior experience interacting with executives, public figures, donors, or distinguished guests preferred
Strong customer service orientation
High level of professionalism including timeliness, reliability, and effective communication
Ability to provide spiritual support aligned with Christ-first faith values
Adaptable and flexible to changing priorities
Strong analytical thinking and decision-making skills
Keen attention to detail
Knowledge of business, financial, and budget concepts
Maintains confidentiality and discretion
Skilled in conflict management and problem-solving
Creative thinker with continuous improvement mindset
Proven leadership and supervisory skills
Excellent project and time management
Results-oriented with accountability
Strategic mindset with the ability to influence and motivate others
Demonstrated ability to foster teamwork and collaboration

Job Duties

Lead the planning and execution support for major university events involving executive leadership, distinguished guests, keynote speakers, donor events, and key stakeholders
Develop and manage detailed event timelines, production schedules, and run-of-show documents
Coordinate event logistics including itineraries, transportation, lodging, hospitality, backstage operations, green rooms, and executive-level accommodations
Ensure all event deliverables, approvals, and communications are completed accurately and on schedule
Serve as the primary university liaison for speakers, celebrity talent, author representatives, agents, executive assistants, and distinguished guests
Coordinate pre-event communication related to schedules, biographies, introductions, audiovisual needs, security considerations, and hospitality requirements
Deliver a concierge-level experience for guests from initial outreach through post-event follow-up
Cultivate positive relationships that enhance the university’s reputation and support future engagement opportunities
Oversee and coordinate external AV vendor production
Create briefing documents and executive schedules for university leadership
Coordinate script development, speaker flow, stage management, and event sequencing
Identify and proactively resolve logistical or communication challenges before they impact the event experience
Maintain high standards for professionalism, confidentiality, and institutional representation
Collaborate effectively within event production and cross-functional planning environments
Partner closely with Marketing, Communications, and Public Relations to provide speaker biographies, headshots, schedules, talking points, promotional assets, and event details
Coordinate with Advancement, the President’s Office, Campus Operations, Security, Production, Academic leadership, and other partners
Facilitate planning meetings and maintain clear communication among stakeholders to ensure alignment on event expectations and timelines, responsibilities, and outcomes