Event Planner

The University Libraries at The University of Alabama stand as a cornerstone for academic excellence and cultural enrichment within the university community. As a vital academic library system, the department serves an extensive body of students, faculty, and staff, offering a rich variety of resources, services, and environments conducive to learning, research, and collaboration. The Library's commitment to fostering knowledge and innovation is reflected in its dynamic programming and outreach efforts that engage campus and community members alike. The university itself is a prestigious public research institution, renowned for its dedication to educational quality, equity, and community service. It upholds values of inclusivity, academic freedom, and institutional neutrality, creating a supportive and diverse atmosphere for all stakeholders.

Within this vibrant academic setting, the role of Event Planner is pivotal to the success and visibility of the University Libraries’ numerous events. This full-time, salaried position (Pay Grade E7) offers a competitive salary range from $48,600 to $60,800, working primarily Monday to Friday, from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, with additional hours nights and weekends as necessary to accommodate special events. The Event Planner is responsible for conceiving innovative event themes and detailed itineraries that align with the goals of the department and the university at large. They manage event budgets meticulously to optimize resources and deliver high-quality experiences. An integral part of the role includes overseeing the entire event lifecycle from conceptualization and planning to implementation and post-event follow-up.

This comprehensive involvement includes creating invitations, selecting venues, and designing seating arrangements tailored to the unique requirements of each event. Vendors such as florists, caterers, and print shops are negotiated with to ensure that services meet expectations while adhering to budget constraints. The Event Planner also supervises on-site contract staff and student workers, ensuring smooth operations throughout event execution. Additional responsibilities encompass publishing and maintaining digital content related to events on the library's website and coordinating the university's event calendar entries. Social media management for event promotion and liaising with multiple departments across the campus amplify outreach and engagement.

Moreover, the position involves managing travel logistics for guest speakers, providing graphic design services, and documenting events through photography and videography to create lasting impressions and archives. The role demands excellent problem-solving abilities, strong written and verbal communication skills, and exceptional organizational capabilities to handle multiple events and tasks simultaneously. The ideal candidate understands the nuances of digital presentation tools and office productivity software, wielding these tools to enhance event planning and delivery. Preferred qualifications include experience in hospitality management, vendor relations, procurement processes, social media administration, and multimedia production. This position requires a candidate who is detail-oriented, proactive, and capable of thriving in a fast-paced, collaborative academic environment.

The University of Alabama is committed to equal employment opportunity and educational equity, ensuring that all qualified candidates will receive fair consideration free from discrimination based on legally protected statuses. Prospective employees undergo a thorough background check process as part of the hiring procedure, with an emphasis on individualized reviews for any prior convictions or behavioral concerns.