Event Specialist

Qualifications

The full-time Events Specialist consults on and supports the planning, coordination, and implementation of hospitality logistics for all university programs and events, including key roles in the management of signature brand experiences such as Commencement, Wisdom Conversations, and Advancement Office events. The Events Specialist creates a premium experience for all constituents — both internal and external guests — who participate in any on-campus event to position the university as an institution that values their interaction with our faculty, staff, and students. The Events Specialist advances hospitality as a key virtue of the Cornerstone University experience and recognizes every visitor to campus ought to be considered as a marketing opportunity for the university, proactively advancing the university’s brand in every interaction. The core of Cornerstone University is defined and driven by its Christ-centered mission and Biblical confession.

Reports to : Deputy Chief of Staff for External Relations

Location : Grand Rapids, Michigan

Duties and Responsibilities :

Provides event management support, development, advice and counsel to university staff for on-campus events and off-site Advancement Office events, including serving as a consultant for athletic events (e.g., CU Holiday Tournament, camps).

Monitors and drives profit motive for events, when and where appropriate.

Supports the hiring and coordination of campus vendors for all event planning.

Manages and executes external events, working with external clients and vendors for on-campus events.

Prepares all contracts and paperwork necessary for external clients.

Assists with creating and maintaining the RSVP processes for events, including reporting, name tags or tent cards, and seating charts, through use of an event registration system.

Tracks attendance and trends after events, regularly communicating updates to clients.

Serves as resident expert for facilities / events logistics questions from on-campus users.

Steers event logistics for large Cornerstone ticketed events, including Commencement.

Provides support for other campus event planners through scheduling of needed facilities and coordination with campus service departments.

Oversees and manages use of all campus facilities, using facility scheduling software.

Operates within and oversees the Events & Hospitality budget.

Recruits, oversees, and trains event volunteers and student assistants.

Oversees large scale dorm rentals for summer conferences / rentals.

Serves as the Wedding Coordinator for weddings held on campus ($250 stipend per event).

Assists Enrollment Marketing with the implementation of selected projects that require physical installation on campus as requested.

• All Cornerstone University and WCSG employees will regularly interact with students in a variety of projects, activities, and settings. As such all employees are expected to serve as Christian leaders and mentors by effectively living a gospel-centered lifestyle, ministering and discipling through a biblical worldview.

Other duties as assigned.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities :

Bachelor’s degree and related hospitality-oriented experience.

Three to five years of event coordination and / or conference coordination experience. Experience in higher education is preferred.

Demonstrated track record of providing outstanding customer service and proactive communication to meet budget parameters.

Highly developed computer skills, including knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite and Raiser’s Edge.

Ability to work independently and demonstrate decision-making skills with adaptability to change.

Awareness of marketing / promotional intentions and strategies.

Ability to work under pressure with multiple constituencies.

Excellent problem-solving skills while developing multiple viable scenarios.

Strong interpersonal communication skills.

Ability to gracefully handle diverse work loads.

ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS :

These core commitments convey who we are, what we believe and how we live and work together in community. Employees are expected to faithfully attend an evangelical and biblical church whose core beliefs and practices are consistent with Cornerstone’s confession and core commitments.

Salary and Start Date :

Salary : Commensurate with education and experience. A full benefit package including health plans, tuition remission, disability coverage, and retirement is included.

Salary : $250