Director of Summer Institute

The Summer Institute Director is a new, ¾ time, hybrid position designed to build on the success of the institute’s first eight years, during which time it has become COA’s premier summer event attracting 1,000 attendees in person and online. This position will lead COA’s efforts to further establish COA as a “thought convenor” on consequential topics, integrate the event and its program into the fabric of the college and its academics, and enhance the event’s donor-centered cultivation and stewardship goals and activities. The director will report to the president and work closely with the Summer Institute Planning Committee (composed of the president, dean of institutional advancement, members of the board of trustees and a faculty representative).

To apply, please submit resume, cover letter, and name/contact information for three (3) references to Kara Daul, executive assistant to the president, at kdaul@coa.edu.

Responsibilities

• Lead the institute’s theme development, speaker and interlocutor recruitment, and collaborations with external organizational program partners
• Serve as the primary lead staff member of the Summer Institute Planning Committee, ensuring the committee has materials, processes, and support to accomplish their work
• Work with the Advancement Team to develop and deploy donor-related communications and marketing materials, plan and execute special activities including dinners, excursions, and other donor cultivation and stewardship activities
• Work with the Communications Team to design marketing and social media content
• Serve as the point of contact for speakers and interlocutors, providing onboarding information in a timely manner and ensuring their travel, accommodations and other logistical needs are met
• Coordinate all operational tasks and responsibilities including internal departments such as Buildings & Grounds, the COA Kitchen, Summer Programs, Audio / Visual, etc.
• Coordinate external vendors including event rentals, caterers, bartenders, videographers, etc.
• Oversee event production including speaker handling, development of runs of show, audio/visual checks, technology, and troubleshooting issues as they arise
• Manage the event software system and the data flows between it and COA’s database, Raiser’s Edge
• Develop and implement a plan for participant engagement through surveys and other strategies for continuous improvement

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree with a minimum of three years of relevant experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience which reflects broad intellectual curiosity
• Experience with program development, large non-profit events, or project management
• Budget planning/management experience
• Exceptionally strong communication skills, both verbal and written
• Possesses entrepreneurial mindset and ability to develop creative revenue models, complimentary programs and other initiatives that enhance the financial sustainability of the event and serve college goals more broadly
• Positive approach to customer service and cross-departmental collaboration
• Ability to shift between competing priorities quickly and handle stressful situations
• Ability to work independently
• Familiarity with Microsoft Office, Google Suite, event software, and constituent databases
• Strong organizational skills, work ethic, and sense of humor
• Availability to work weekends and evenings as needed
• A creative, positive approach to problem-solving
• Ability to lift and carry 25-35 lbs.