Director Event Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

The Tippie College of Business seeks a highly organized, relationship-focused professional with a strong background in event planning and execution to serve as Assistant Director, Alumni Engagement & Events. Working in close partnership with the Director of Alumni Engagement, the Assistant Director helps translate the college's alumni engagement strategy into meaningful programs, events, and experiences that strengthen connections between alumni and Tippie.
The Assistant Director leads the planning and execution of the college's signature alumni programs and events, overseeing all aspects of the event lifecycle, including concept development, budgeting, logistics, onsite coordination, post-event evaluation, and stewardship. The position also serves as a key partner to the Director of Alumni Engagement in developing programming, identifying opportunities to deepen alumni involvement, and ensuring alumni events and experiences align with the college's broader engagement goals and strategic priorities. As a visible representative of Tippie, the Assistant Director regularly serves as an event host and emcee, welcomes guests, delivers brief remarks, and introduces speakers.
Success in this role requires strong project management and communication skills, exceptional attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple events and priorities simultaneously. The Assistant Director builds and maintains collaborative relationships with alumni, volunteers, students, faculty, staff, and the University of Iowa Center for Advancement to create engaging experiences and foster lifelong connections with the college.
Regular evening work outside of the standard 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. schedule is a consistent requirement, as many Tippie alumni programs and events take place during evening hours. The position also requires off-campus travel up to six times per year to support alumni events throughout Iowa and in key markets across the country, with occasional overnight stays based on event schedules and locations
KEY AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITIES AND SPECIFIC JOB TASKS
Event Planning and Execution (Primary Responsibility)

• Lead the planning, coordination, execution, and evaluation of a diverse portfolio of alumni engagement events from concept through completion.
• Manage all aspects of event logistics including venue selection, vendor coordination, catering, registration, budgets, timelines, audiovisual needs, staffing, travel arrangements, and post-event assessment.
• Serve as the primary onsite event manager responsible for setup, execution, troubleshooting, guest experience, and event breakdown.

Communications and Marketing

• Develop and implement communication plans that promote alumni events and engagement opportunities.
• Create and edit event-related communications using email, web, social media, and print materials.
• Oversee Tippie alumni email inboxes and serve as a main point of communication to alumni.

Public Relations

• Build and maintain strong relationships with alumni, volunteers, students, faculty, staff, advisory boards, campus partners, and the University of Iowa Center for Advancement.
• Collaborate with internal and external partners to create meaningful engagement opportunities that advance the college's strategic priorities.
• Provide exceptional customer service before, during, and after events.

Information Management

• Manage alumni webpage, including online event registration systems and web content supporting alumni engagement initiatives.
• Maintain accurate event records, registration data, attendance reports, and engagement metrics using Salesforce, Qualtrics, Microsoft Excel, Zoom, and University systems.
• Generate mailing and communication lists in accordance with University and University of Iowa Center for Advancement guidelines.

Strategic Planning

• Partner closely with the Director of Alumni Engagement to develop and implement the college's alumni engagement strategy, with particular responsibility for translating strategic priorities into programs, events, and experiences.
• Identify and recommend new approaches to alumni engagement that increase participation, strengthen connections, and respond to evolving alumni interests and needs.
• Utilize surveys, participation data, and industry best practices to improve engagement strategies and event effectiveness.

Financial Responsibility

• Maintain and monitor alumni event budgets.
• Manage vendor contracts and expenditures while ensuring responsible stewardship of resources.
• Recommend budget priorities and future investments that enhance alumni programming and event quality.

Leadership/Supervision

• Report to and work in close partnership with the Director of Alumni Engagement to advance the college's alumni engagement strategy, priorities, and programming.
• Provide functional supervision for any student employees or volunteers supporting alumni engagement events.
• Foster collaboration among colleagues, volunteers, and campus partners to ensure exceptional event execution.

To obtain the full job description including key areas of responsibility, technical competencies, and desirable qualifications, please contact adrian-cunningham@uiowa.edu
Get to know the Tippie College of Business
Since 1847, the Tippie College of Business has cultivated a legacy of innovation, thought leadership, and excellence in business education. We have nearly 6,000 students within undergraduate, graduate, and PhD programs spanning six academic departments-accounting, business analytics, economics, finance, marketing, and management and entrepreneurship. We are eight centers and institutes, and four student-managed endowment funds. We're over 59,000 alumni-and growing. Tippie is regularly listed in top business school rankings. We also hold the gold standard of accreditations, the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), and have maintained the accreditation for over 95 years (since 1923).
But who we are is not just in the curriculum we curate-it's also in the community we create. Our leadership embraces our responsibility to pursue academic excellence within a welcoming environment where every student can thrive. More than 150 years after our founding, we continue to be a place where students can grow and flourish in their professional or academic careers.
Education Requirement

• Bachelor's Degree or the equivalent combination of education and experience.

Required Qualifications

• 3-5 years relevant experience in event planning or program management, communications, marketing, or public relations.
• Ability and willingness to regularly work outside of standard business hours, including evenings, weekends, and early mornings, to support event programming and execution.
• Demonstrated experience managing multiple projects simultaneously, including planning, organizing, budgeting, coordinating, and executing in-person and virtual programs and events with responsibility for logistics and event production.
• Experience developing, implementing, and evaluating marketing, communication, and engagement strategies.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, with the ability to work effectively both independently and collaboratively as part of a team.
• Proficiency working in a highly computerized environment, including experience with Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Zoom, databases, and other relevant technology platforms.
• Valid driver's license and ability to meet University of Iowa Fleet Safety Program driving standards.

Desired Qualifications

• Experience with academic programs, alumni engagement, philanthropy, and/or institutional advancement initiatives.
• Knowledge of University of Iowa policies and procedures.

Application Details

• In order to be considered for an interview, applicants must upload the following documents and mark them as a "Relevant File" to the submission:
  • Resume
  • Cover Letter
• Job openings are posted for a minimum of 7 calendar days and may be removed from posting and filled any time after the original posting period has ended. Successful candidates will be required to self-disclose any conviction history and will be subject to a criminal background check and credential/education verification. Up to 5 professional references will be requested at a later step in the recruitment process. For questions, contact Adrian Cunningham at adrian-cunningham@uiowa.edu.

Benefits Highlights
Regular salaried position. Pay Level 4A. Located in Iowa City, Iowa.
Fringe benefit package including paid vacation; sick leave; health, dental, life and disability insurance options; and generous employer contributions into retirement plans.
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About Iowa
Joining the University of Iowa means becoming a vital part of the Hawkeye community, where your work directly impacts education, research, and student success. Enjoy exceptional health coverage, university-paid life insurance, robust retirement plans, and generous leave policies. Benefit from 24/7 support services, well-being resources, and access to UI Health Care specialists. Grow professionally with advanced training, leadership development, and tuition assistance. Iowa City offers a great quality of life with world-class performances at Hancher Auditorium, Big Ten athletics, top-ranked public schools, and outdoor recreation. Join us in making a difference at a leading Big Ten university and premier public research institution.