Senior Event Manager (HR Title: Meeting Event Planner II)

Southern Methodist University (SMU) is a prestigious private research university located in Dallas, Texas. Established over a century ago, SMU is renowned for its rigorous academic programs, extensive research opportunities, and strong commitment to developing ethical, enterprising leaders. With a student body of more than 12,000 diverse and high-achieving individuals drawn from all 50 states and over 80 countries, SMU provides a dynamic and inclusive learning environment. The university is composed of eight degree-granting schools including Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences, Cox School of Business, Lyle School of Engineering, Meadows School of the Arts, Simmons School of Education and Human Development, Dedman School of Law, Perkins School of Theology, and Moody School of Graduate and Advanced Studies. SMU's strategic relationship with the city of Dallas, a vibrant and fast-growing metropolitan hub, further enhances students' educational experiences by providing unmatched social, career, and research opportunities.

SMU boasts a powerful supercomputing ecosystem that bolsters its research excellence and entrepreneurial drive. The university celebrates a culture of academic freedom, open inquiry, and community engagement, encouraging students, faculty, and alumni to strive for global impact and leadership within their professions and communities. Given SMU's status as a nonsectarian institution, it fosters an inclusive atmosphere for teaching and learning.

This position is an on-campus, in-person role managing critical operational aspects of Program Services events, with a primary focus on high-profile university events such as the Tate Lectures Series, PwC SMU Athletic Forum, and the Doak Walker Award. The role demands excellence in event planning and logistical coordination, serving as the lead planner for significant events including various components of the PwC SMU Athletic Forum, the Athletics Hall of Fame, and other signature athletics-related functions produced by Program Services. Responsibilities include managing vendor relations and event specifics, facilitating communications with both internal and external stakeholders, overseeing database management, creating and adhering to production timelines, and coordinating staff to ensure flawless event execution.

The position necessitates collaboration with diverse teams across the university, including DEA colleagues, catering services, event designers, sponsors, and external vendors. Duties also extend to managing guest travel arrangements, monthly budget tracking, and recruitment and supervision of event staff. A vital aspect of this role is ensuring an exceptional guest experience by managing the communications schedule, overseeing invitation processes, guest lists, seating arrangements, and ticketing systems, particularly for the Tate events.

Additionally, the role involves developing and executing the engagement program for Doak Walker Award alumni, acting as the liaison to the Doak Walker Award family, and spearheading the auction fundraising efforts for future events. The position also supports the execution and staffing of other Program Services events and may require participation in guest welcoming and vendor management, especially during football games held at the President's football suite. Evening and weekend work availability is essential due to the nature of these events.

Ideal candidates will hold a bachelor's degree and possess at least three years of experience in event coordination and logistics management, including one year in clerical, administrative, or customer service roles. Experience in fast-paced, high-profile events and non-profit sectors, working with diverse constituencies such as students, faculty, ticket holders, donors, and board members, is highly preferred. Familiarity with volunteer management, ticket sales, and various software tools like Microsoft Office, FileMaker Pro, and Paciolan ticketing systems is advantageous.

The position also requires strong interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills, exceptional organization and time management abilities, a customer service-oriented mindset, and adept problem-solving capabilities. Physical demands include the ability to bend, reach above the shoulders, carry or lift up to 25 pounds, sit for extended periods, squat, kneel, stand, walk long distances, and operate motorized equipment. SMU is committed to equal employment opportunity and encourages applications from diverse backgrounds.