Associate Director of Events, Planning and Experiences

Since 1906, the University of West Georgia (UWG) has been home to those who seek a transformative college experience. UWG is a leading residential, doctoral comprehensive university that offers a broad undergraduate and graduate curriculum based on a liberal arts foundation. Nestled among the pines on a picturesque 645 acres is the University of West Georgia- a hidden gem approximately 40 miles west of Atlanta. Serving approximately 13,000 students, and offering more than 100 programs, UWG is committed to advancing innovative academic programs and a student-centered business model. Perennially ranked by U.S. News & World Report, the Princeton Review, and Colleges of Distinction as a top national university, West Georgia offers 86 fields of study, including business, computing, nursing, education, STEM, communication and digital media, social sciences, and the fine and performing arts. UWG generates a regional economic impact of more than $650 million annually and provides a safe, quality, and affordable university experience that connects students to post-graduate career and leadership opportunities. UWG has been recognized by the Carnegie Foundation for its institutional commitment to community engagement through teaching, research and creative activities, and public service. West Georgia is one of only 119 U.S. colleges and universities to receive the elective classification in 2020 and is among only 359 institutions nationally. Dedicated to creating a first-choice university for students, alumni, employees, and communities, UWG seeks employees who will advance and support the University's mission of fulfilling the talent needs of western Georgia and the Atlanta metropolitan area, while contributing to the social, cultural, and economic development of the region and state.

Living in Carrollton, "The City of Dreams," offers the advantages of city life with a small-town vibe. This progressive community with Southern flair offers plenty of shopping, restaurants, nightlife opportunities, and cultural events. Named a City of Excellence in Georgia and listed as one of the 50 Best Small Southern Towns, Carrollton is the cultural, educational, health care, and commercial center for the west Georgia region.

At the heart of Carrollton is its historic downtown and Adamson Square lined with shops, galleries, and restaurants. Each season offers unique local events and opportunities for year-round recreation. Outdoor activities abound through award-winning spaces, including an 18-mile paved walking and biking Greenbelt trail that encircles the city and passes through the UWG campus.

The city embraces the University's students, faculty, and staff, and welcomes the diversity UWG brings to the community.

Invested in education with highly rated city and county K-12 systems, both city and county public school graduation rates are 90% and above and rank among the top in the nation by U.S. News & World Report.

The University of West Georgia is seeking a dynamic and experienced professional to fill the role of Associate Director of Events, Planning, and Experiences. This role will be reporting to the Executive Director of Undergraduate Admissions and Experiences. In this leadership position, the successful candidate will be responsible for overseeing the strategic planning, execution, and management of a wide range of events and experiences that contribute to the recruitment of prospective students and families.

Primary Responsibilities -
The primary objective of the Associate Director of Events, Planning, and Experiences is to ensure that every event planned and hosted by the University of West Georgia Enrollment teams
meets our safety, brand and participant experience standards. The Associate Director will report to the Executive Director of Undergraduate Admissions and Experiences, and will work in tandem with the university at-large. They will also work very closely with our internal partners of Auxiliary Services, Student Affairs, Academic Affairs, as well as others on campus and within the community

Event Planning and Operations -
Set or validate safety, event planning and operations, brand and participant experience standards, guidelines and specifications for all enrollment driven events. Identify aspects, areas and opportunities across all event programs where local customization is both appropriate and beneficial. Provide best practices, tips and tools for maximizing those. Establish and communicate the ideal project plan and timeline for event planning and execution for each type of event. Integrate into the master enrollment plan and timeline and find effective ways to track key milestones and dates. Establish and communicate the expense budget framework related to event planning and execution for each type of event. Work closely with each campus leader to fully understand other program expenses and the revenue model and levers.

Event Planning -
Make recommendations on the volunteer needs and volunteer infrastructure necessary for each type of event. Advise on job descriptions, job aids, trainings and other tools in order to ensure a best-in-class volunteer engagement experience and high-quality event execution. Set event location, site and route standards, guidelines and specifications, based on the type and size of event. This includes requirements for total square footage and square footage for each event element or area, ingress and egress for emergency response vehicle, event vehicles and foot traffic, power sources, etc. Work with event planners to vet possible sites and routes, advise on permitting.

Staff Training/Event Training -
Review existing processes and set standards for response planning, crisis management, emergency and incident documentation and reporting. Train executing staff on these processes. Set event layout standards, guidelines and specifications, including best practices for pedestrian traffic flow and placement of event elements in relation to each other. Work with event planners to create or QC site and route maps, including site layout, traffic flow and signage placement plans. With campus leaders, establish or understand the standard live programmatic elements of each event or experiential fundraising program, including run of show, live calls to action, mission programming, ceremonies, VIP, and other speaking or programming elements, both on and off stage. Set asset, infrastructure or supply requirements and standards. Create tiered infrastructure and supply specifications and manifests. Ensure that the event planners are fluent and confident with the tools, resources and materials to source, communicate with, vet, hire and manage third party vendors.

Educational Requirements
Bachelors Degree

Required Experience
At least two years of events management, Admissions, higher education, and/or project management experience required.

Preferred Educational Qualifications
Master's Degree

Preferred Experience
Three or more years of budget management and events planning experience within higher education preferred.

$58,000 Annually. Paid on a Monthly Basis.

ABILITIES
Must possess extraordinary attention to detail with the ability to work on several projects simultaneously and be deadline-driven. Employees must be able to work independently while functioning as a team member. Applicants must be able to
multitask in a fast-paced office environment. Applicants must also be able to work collaboratively across a diverse campus setting.

KNOWLEDGE
Managing budget and performance while exploring new channels and thinking creatively to create an event and visit experience. Project management knowledge, including knowledge of how to successfully promote, facilitate, organize, and execute campus events, tours, and experiences.

SKILLS
Influential leadership skills should include ability to foster creativity, collaboration and consensus both inside and out of our division. Outstanding communication skills (verbal, written, and visual) with the ability to influence and build consensus. You must have the confidence and problem-solving skills to be effective in situations with limited information. You must have a passion for
event management and creating signature event experiences that will help strategic enrollment management curate a first-choice university

The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 26 institutions of higher education and learning as well as the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 8.2.18.1.2 and can be found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section8/C224/#p8.2.18_personnel_conduct.

Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 6.5 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section6/C2653.

Offers of employment are contingent upon completion of a background investigation including a criminal background check demonstrating your eligibility for employment with the University of West Georgia as determined by the University of West Georgia in its sole discretion; confirmation of the credentials and employment history reflected in your application materials, reference checks; and, if applicable, a satisfactory credit check. Applicants may be subject to a pre-employment drug test. Offers are made expressly subject to the applicable federal and state laws, to the statutes, rules and regulations of this institution and to the Bylaws and Policies of the Board of Regents (BOR) of the University System of Georgia (USG), which are available for your inspection upon request.

The University of West Georgia is an equal employment, equal access, and equal educational opportunity, and affirmative action institution. It is the policy of the University of West Georgia to recruit, hire, train, promote, and educate persons without regard to race, color, national or ethnic origin, age, disability, gender, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, or veteran status as required by applicable state and federal laws (including Title VI, Title VII, Title IX, Sections 503, and 504, ADEA, ADA, E.O. 11246, and Rev. Proc. 75-50)

The mission of the University of West Georgia is to enable students, faculty, and staff to realize their full potential through academic engagement, supportive services, professional development, and a caring, student-centered community. The institutional mission and daily operation of the University of West Georgia are guided by our values that support our vision to be the best place to work, learn, and succeed: ACHIEVEMENT, CARING, COLLABORATION, INCLUSIVENESS, INNOVATION, INTEGRITY, SUSTAINABILITY, and WISDOM.