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Assistant Director, Events Management
Posting #: 5464
Position Status: Full-time regular
Location: San Diego
Position Type: Administrator, Joan B. Kroc School of Peace Studies
Position Title & Department:
Assistant Director, Events Management; Joan B. Kroc School of Peace Studies
Posting #
5464
Department Description:
The Kroc School of Peace Studies trains the changemakers and peacebuilders of today and tomorrow. Kroc is the first stand-alone school of peace in the United States. Innovation in learning and programs is at the center of what we do and who we are. We combine theory and practice not just to understand crises and world issues, but also to imagine new possibilities and develop solutions to humanity's urgent challenges from increasing inequality and violence to climate change. At Kroc, people discover new ways of building more peaceful and socially just communities through a multidisciplinary lens and experiential learning. We look for passionate individuals who believe in the power of university learning to transform the world for the better.
University Description:
The University of San Diego, an engaged and contemporary Catholic institution, was founded by the Diocese of San Diego and the Society of the Sacred Heart in 1949. Governed by an independent board of trustees since 1972, USD remains committed to a liberal arts education grounded in the Catholic intellectual tradition and the pursuit of truth, goodness and beauty. Inspired by this centuries old tradition of Catholic higher education, the University welcomes people of all faith traditions and any, or no, religious background. The future success of USD relies on the contributions of those who seek to foster the development of engaged global citizens and an earnest confrontation of humanity's urgent challenges.
Detailed Description:
The Assistant Director, Events Management oversees the Kroc School of Peace Studies' schoolwide events portfolio, including programs hosted by the Kroc Institute for Peace and Justice (IPJ) and the Center for Restorative Justice (CRJ). The position plans, coordinates, and executes end-to-end delivery of flagship public programs, academic convenings, student and faculty events, donor and VIP engagements, and internal milestones in alignment with School priorities. The role develops event concepts and engagement plans, prepares budgets, manages vendors and contracts, and directs on-site production to ensure high-quality experiences. The incumbent works collaboratively with faculty and staff partners, exercises sound judgment, and maintains excellent service standards in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment. Creativity, diplomacy, and operational excellence are essential to success.
Duties and Responsibilities:
Strategic Events Planning and Management

• Leads the design, scheduling, and end-to-end production of major Kroc School, CRJ, and IPJ events (e.g., Distinguished Lecture Series, Kroc Pot discussions, academic convenings).
• Aligns event objectives with School strategy to elevate reputation and advance engagement goals.
• Coordinates with the Dean, IPJ Executive Director, CRJ co-directors, Marketing, and Advancement to utilize events for cultivation, stewardship, and alumni/community engagement.
• Implement and execute pre- and post-event touchpoints (briefing notes, seating charts, talking points, follow-up communications).
• Tracks event-related interactions and outcomes in the University's CRM to inform nextstep strategies.
• Establishes and tracks event success metrics (attendance, satisfaction, pipeline/activity generation, etc.) and conducts post-event assessments for continuous improvement.
• Ensures compliance with University policies, accessibility standards, and risk management protocols.
• Other duties as assigned by the Dean.

Communications and Branding Integration

• Partners with University Advancement and Communications to deliver cohesive, onbrand event campaigns across the web, email, social media, and print.
• Oversees creative briefs, invitations, run-of-show content, web pages/registrations, and media coordination.
• Maintains editorial and visual standards; monitors campaign performance and optimizes reach and conversion.

Operational Oversight

• Manages budgets, contracts, and vendor performance for Kroc School events, including the securing and oversight of any vendors during the events themselves; negotiates terms to ensure quality, value, and fiscal stewardship.
• Directs logistics (venue, AV, catering, security, accessibility, travel/hosting, etc.) and onsite production.
• Develops standard operating procedures, timelines, and checklists; leads after-action reviews to drive efficiencies.

Cross-Campus and Community Coordination

• Serves as liaison to University departments and external partners to align calendars, resources, and priorities.
• Supports select School-wide or University events and special projects as assigned.

Special Conditions of Employment:

• This role is designed as an in-person position. While limited remote work may be permitted with prior approval and when compatible with business needs, regular on-site presence is an essential expectation of the job.

Background check: Successful completion of a pre-employment background check.
Degree Verification Requirement: Persons offered employment in this position will be required to provide official education transcripts for degree verification purposes.
Job Requirements:
Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in communications, marketing, event management, or a related field.
• At least three years of progressively responsible experience in event management, communications, and/or donor engagement.
• Demonstrated ability to plan and execute large-scale events and manage complex logistics.
• Demonstrated ability to think strategically about events and understand how they relate to and support other aspects of School strategy as a whole.
• Strong organizational and project management skills.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with a wide range of stakeholders and manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree.
• Four or more years of progressively responsible experience in event management, communications, or donor engagement preferred.
• Experience within a higher education and/or nonprofit setting.
• Knowledge of fundraising and donor engagement strategies.
• Experience supervising staff or contractors.
• Bilingual English/Spanish preferred.

Performance Expectations - Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Demonstrated knowledge of event strategy, design, and execution for academic or nonprofit institutions.
• Ability to integrate communications, marketing, and donor engagement goals into cohesive event plans.
• Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, including comfort engaging with senior leaders, donors, and public figures.
• Ability to develop and manage event budgets, contracts, and vendor relationships effectively.
• Proven capacity to exercise sound judgment, discretion, and diplomacy in representing the School.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision while collaborating effectively as part of a team.
• Flexibility and composure in a fast-paced environment, including during live events and changing circumstances.
• Proficiency with event management platforms, CRM systems, and standard office software.
• Commitment to advancing the mission of the Kroc School of Peace Studies through excellence in public engagement and institutional convening.

Posting Salary:
$5,859 - $6,613 per month; Excellent Benefits
The University of San Diego offers a very competitive benefits package including; medical, dental, vision, a retirement contribution given to you by the University, and access to on-campus Fitness Centers. Please visit the benefits section of our website to view all of the perks and benefits that USD has to offer. USD: Human Resources: Benefits
The salary range provided in this posting reflects what we reasonably expect to pay for this position. Actual compensation offered or earned is dependent on experience, education and other factors including departmental budget.
Special Application Instructions:
Resume and Cover Letter Required
Click the 'Apply Now' button to complete our online application. In addition, please upload a cover letter and resume to your application profile for the hiring managers' review. If you have any questions or difficulties please contact the Employment Services Team at jobs@sandiego.edu.
Additional Details:
Hours: 37.5 hours per week
Closing date: Open until filled
Note: External job postings will be up for at least three days. After that time, applications will be reviewed by the hiring manager/committee throughout the posting period. A candidate may be selected at any time which could then close this posting on a date earlier than listed.
The University of San Diego is a smoking and tobacco-free campus. For more information, visit www.sandiego.edu/smokefree.
Advertised: January 20, 2026 Pacific Standard Time
Applications close:
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