Job Description
• Job Type: Officer of Administration
• Bargaining Unit:
• Regular/Temporary: Regular
• End Date if Temporary:
• Hours Per Week: 35
• Standard Work Schedule:
• Building:
• Salary Range: $100,000 - $130,000
The salary of the finalist selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to departmental budgets, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, specialty, and training. The above hiring range represents the University's good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.
Position Summary
The Director of Special Events plays a vital role in Mailman School of Public Health’s, Office of the Dean as this role effectively leads the development, design, and implementation of the School’s Special Events. Reporting directly to the Chief of Staff, and in close collaboration to the Dean of Mailman School of Public Health, the Director is responsible for producing a comprehensive annual schedule of high-level, schoolwide events that align with the mission and strategic goals of Columbia Mailman. Events may include lecture series such as Grand Rounds, School Assemblies, as well as on and off campus events that highlight Columbia Mailman’s mission, educational programs, research, thought leadership, service, and the priorities of its employees, students and community partners.
This position interfaces with important school constituencies including donors and board members and requires exceptional interpersonal skills, a proven track-record of relationship building with event sponsors, strong project management skills, excellent written and verbal communications skills, attention to detail, high energy, and a passion for Mailman School of Public Health and its mission.
Responsibilities
Strategy and Planning
• In collaboration with School leadership, establish a comprehensive year-long plan for Grand Rounds, School Assemblies, special educational sessions and other events that aligns and complements the School’s mission, priorities and strategic goals.
• Financial responsibility for the events budget, focusing on maximizing resources. Manage and track revenues and expenses. Produce regular projections of financial performance.
• Build partnerships and maintain strong relationships with subject matter experts to develop goals and content for events.
• Collaborate across administrative and academic departments to encourage and promote participation and attendance, tracking invitations and RSVPs, including creating and managing on-line registration processes where applicable.
• Lead and convene event planners across the School to share best practices, provide policy updates, and provide problem solving support.
• Ensure accountability and success of all events through strong team management skills, transformational leadership, and providing strong direction.
• Coordinate with other departments like Marketing, Communications, Development, Public Safety, AVIT to ensure a collaborative approach and successful event execution.
Project Management and Implementation
• Responsible for all aspects of the events life cycle including planning, management, and execution.
• Manage on-site event direction, including supporting Dean, speakers and panelists, directing vendors, partners and volunteers. Provide daily support to the event team, including set-up, logistics, and managing event staff.
• Negotiate and manage contracts to ensure completion of work within scope and timeline.
• Serve as primary liaison to event participants, including making travel arrangements and ensuring appropriate reimbursements.
• Prepare briefings and lead preparatory sessions for guest speakers and leaders.
• Coach, guide and provide direction to the event team through all stages of planning.
• Provide exceptional customer service to the Dean, Mailman’s constituents, and all internal and external stakeholders.
Continuous Improvement
• Establish the key measures of success for all special events and demonstrate measurable improvement over time.
• Develop and implement strategy for promoting event content post-event and set the basis for follow-up engagement and relationship-building for key event participants and attendees, including through the maintenance of a CRM, in conjunction with colleagues.
• Create and implement mechanisms for event planners across the School and convene the group to share best practices, provide policy updates, and offer troubleshooting support.
• Identify opportunities for efficiency and engage with subject matter experts, decision-makers, and those closest to the process to make improvements.
• Conduct engagement analysis using surveys, focus groups, and other methods to make data-driven recommendations, developing strategic programs and events that align with future trends and effectively engage affiliates.
• Analyze event success and ROI and make recommendations for future direction.
Personnel Management
• Promote staff professionalism and performance by setting clear expectations, leading by example, offering constructive feedback, and encouraging high-quality work.
• Mentor others in individual and team accountability, modeling behavior, and demonstrating best practices/techniques on change management and continuous improvement.
• Establish and manage relationships with key stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively collaborate with people of diverse socioeconomic, cultural, disability, and ethnic backgrounds.
• Ensures engagement and consistent communication on deliverables and related matters through regular check-ins, creating clear communication channels, and soliciting feedback.
• Lead and manage staff, students and temporary support staffing following high reliability principles and tools.
Minimum Qualifications
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent in education and experience, plus five years of related experience.
• Demonstrated strong project management skills including executing technical and operational project activities with cross-functional teams.
• Experience supervising employees.
• Excellent organizational skills, time management, and the ability to set priorities among multiple competing objectives, tasks, and events.
• Broad knowledge base of catering, vendor relations, and event planning best practices.
• Ability to work collaboratively with culturally diverse staff, students, volunteers, Columbia University, Medical Center colleagues, and members of the public.
• Strong customer service skills and professional presentation.
• Maintains an organized workspace (physical and electronic).
• Must conduct business with the utmost honesty, integrity and sensitivity. Demonstrate the utmost discretion and professionalism when collaborating with high-level stakeholders to plan and execute events seamlessly.
• Communicate effectively in both verbal and written form.
• Work independently with follow through, and handle multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, SharePoint, Zoom or similar software is required. Familiarity with CRM systems.
• Stay innovative and open to adopting new digital engagement platforms to enhance event experiences and connectivity.
• Motivated with a positive mindset and exceptional work ethic.
• Flexibility to work evening and weekends when needed.
• Green Belt Certification in Lean / Lean Six Sigma or expected within 2 years of hire.
• Formal Change Management Certification or expected within 2 years of hire.
Preferred Qualifications
• Master’s degree in administration, education, organizational leadership, project management a plus.
Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran
Columbia University is committed to the hiring of qualified local residents.
• Bargaining Unit:
• Regular/Temporary: Regular
• End Date if Temporary:
• Hours Per Week: 35
• Standard Work Schedule:
• Building:
• Salary Range: $100,000 - $130,000
The salary of the finalist selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to departmental budgets, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, specialty, and training. The above hiring range represents the University's good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.
Position Summary
The Director of Special Events plays a vital role in Mailman School of Public Health’s, Office of the Dean as this role effectively leads the development, design, and implementation of the School’s Special Events. Reporting directly to the Chief of Staff, and in close collaboration to the Dean of Mailman School of Public Health, the Director is responsible for producing a comprehensive annual schedule of high-level, schoolwide events that align with the mission and strategic goals of Columbia Mailman. Events may include lecture series such as Grand Rounds, School Assemblies, as well as on and off campus events that highlight Columbia Mailman’s mission, educational programs, research, thought leadership, service, and the priorities of its employees, students and community partners.
This position interfaces with important school constituencies including donors and board members and requires exceptional interpersonal skills, a proven track-record of relationship building with event sponsors, strong project management skills, excellent written and verbal communications skills, attention to detail, high energy, and a passion for Mailman School of Public Health and its mission.
Responsibilities
Strategy and Planning
• In collaboration with School leadership, establish a comprehensive year-long plan for Grand Rounds, School Assemblies, special educational sessions and other events that aligns and complements the School’s mission, priorities and strategic goals.
• Financial responsibility for the events budget, focusing on maximizing resources. Manage and track revenues and expenses. Produce regular projections of financial performance.
• Build partnerships and maintain strong relationships with subject matter experts to develop goals and content for events.
• Collaborate across administrative and academic departments to encourage and promote participation and attendance, tracking invitations and RSVPs, including creating and managing on-line registration processes where applicable.
• Lead and convene event planners across the School to share best practices, provide policy updates, and provide problem solving support.
• Ensure accountability and success of all events through strong team management skills, transformational leadership, and providing strong direction.
• Coordinate with other departments like Marketing, Communications, Development, Public Safety, AVIT to ensure a collaborative approach and successful event execution.
Project Management and Implementation
• Responsible for all aspects of the events life cycle including planning, management, and execution.
• Manage on-site event direction, including supporting Dean, speakers and panelists, directing vendors, partners and volunteers. Provide daily support to the event team, including set-up, logistics, and managing event staff.
• Negotiate and manage contracts to ensure completion of work within scope and timeline.
• Serve as primary liaison to event participants, including making travel arrangements and ensuring appropriate reimbursements.
• Prepare briefings and lead preparatory sessions for guest speakers and leaders.
• Coach, guide and provide direction to the event team through all stages of planning.
• Provide exceptional customer service to the Dean, Mailman’s constituents, and all internal and external stakeholders.
Continuous Improvement
• Establish the key measures of success for all special events and demonstrate measurable improvement over time.
• Develop and implement strategy for promoting event content post-event and set the basis for follow-up engagement and relationship-building for key event participants and attendees, including through the maintenance of a CRM, in conjunction with colleagues.
• Create and implement mechanisms for event planners across the School and convene the group to share best practices, provide policy updates, and offer troubleshooting support.
• Identify opportunities for efficiency and engage with subject matter experts, decision-makers, and those closest to the process to make improvements.
• Conduct engagement analysis using surveys, focus groups, and other methods to make data-driven recommendations, developing strategic programs and events that align with future trends and effectively engage affiliates.
• Analyze event success and ROI and make recommendations for future direction.
Personnel Management
• Promote staff professionalism and performance by setting clear expectations, leading by example, offering constructive feedback, and encouraging high-quality work.
• Mentor others in individual and team accountability, modeling behavior, and demonstrating best practices/techniques on change management and continuous improvement.
• Establish and manage relationships with key stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively collaborate with people of diverse socioeconomic, cultural, disability, and ethnic backgrounds.
• Ensures engagement and consistent communication on deliverables and related matters through regular check-ins, creating clear communication channels, and soliciting feedback.
• Lead and manage staff, students and temporary support staffing following high reliability principles and tools.
Minimum Qualifications
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent in education and experience, plus five years of related experience.
• Demonstrated strong project management skills including executing technical and operational project activities with cross-functional teams.
• Experience supervising employees.
• Excellent organizational skills, time management, and the ability to set priorities among multiple competing objectives, tasks, and events.
• Broad knowledge base of catering, vendor relations, and event planning best practices.
• Ability to work collaboratively with culturally diverse staff, students, volunteers, Columbia University, Medical Center colleagues, and members of the public.
• Strong customer service skills and professional presentation.
• Maintains an organized workspace (physical and electronic).
• Must conduct business with the utmost honesty, integrity and sensitivity. Demonstrate the utmost discretion and professionalism when collaborating with high-level stakeholders to plan and execute events seamlessly.
• Communicate effectively in both verbal and written form.
• Work independently with follow through, and handle multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, SharePoint, Zoom or similar software is required. Familiarity with CRM systems.
• Stay innovative and open to adopting new digital engagement platforms to enhance event experiences and connectivity.
• Motivated with a positive mindset and exceptional work ethic.
• Flexibility to work evening and weekends when needed.
• Green Belt Certification in Lean / Lean Six Sigma or expected within 2 years of hire.
• Formal Change Management Certification or expected within 2 years of hire.
Preferred Qualifications
• Master’s degree in administration, education, organizational leadership, project management a plus.
Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran
Columbia University is committed to the hiring of qualified local residents.
💡 Quick Summary
Seeking a career-building opportunity? The Director, Special Events position is now open for candidates interested in the Event Management Jobs sector. This role in New York City offers a professional environment and growth potential.
Requirement Snapshot: Candidates should possess basic communication skills, a proactive attitude, and the ability to work in a team. Experience in Event Management Jobs is a plus.
