Job Description

We are seeking a Director of Events to join the team at the Johns Hopkins University School of Government and Policy.

The new School of Government and Public Policy aims to serve society, train the next generation of public servants, drive data-informed government innovation, and confront the complex challenges facing today’s policymakers.

Reporting to the Associate Dean of Communications and Marketing, the Director of Events will own the school’s events function, from initial idea to guest experience and flawless execution. They will develop signature public programming that brings the school’s mission to life, builds audiences and expands the school’s reach in the government and policy community. Working with the school’s leadership team, faculty, and Johns Hopkins senior leaders, they will shape event themes, speakers, partnerships, and budgets. They will also partner with the admissions team on events that attract prospective students. Events will range from intimate gatherings with high-level leaders to large-scale public conferences.

The ideal candidate is an organized process builder who brings precision to complex, multi-stakeholder convenings and has a proven track record of managing complex events with prominent speakers. Experience working in Washington’s government and policy community is a strong plus.

As a new school within a well-established university, the role calls for an agile leader who can build process and elevate a newly created events program. The role is based in Washington, D.C. at the Hopkins Bloomberg Center with occasional travel to Baltimore and other locations.

For consideration, please submit a cover letter with your resume.

Specific Duties & Responsibilities

Events Strategy, Budgeting and Project & Management

• Conceive events that build the school’s impact. Develop original themes, formats and speaker lineups and spot timely opportunities to build the school’s profile, audience and ability to attract students.
• Execute complex, high-profile events with precision, leading team to ensure every detail, from budgets, vendors and logistics to VIP protocol and guest experience is precisely managed.
• Plan and execute all key annual and special events including but not limited to:
• Commencement, Parent's Weekend, alumni and donor events, awards ceremonies, unique events such as presidential inaugurations, centennial anniversaries, and

Comprehensive Campaigns.

• Appoint sub-committees comprised of representatives from across the division (faculty, staff, and administrators), establish planning timelines and benchmarks, and monitor progress throughout the planning period.
• Serve as chair of the overall planning committees while providing significant guidance to all sub-committees.
• Manage complex budgets of significant size, negotiate with vendors and arrange for the utilization of institutional resources. Ensure adherence to proper protocol and etiquette at all events.
• Manage staff, make hiring decisions, provide coaching, training and mentoring, manage performance and determine staffing needs.
• Provide administrative direction to staff by applying technical knowledge in the implementation and execution of the planned programs for special events and conferences services operations.
• Create and implement strategic planning and performance management processes for designated area.

Digital Production

• Stay current on industry software, e.g. Social Tables, InitLive, Formstack, Eventbrite, Cvent, and Boomset to improve event planning processes.
• Network with company representatives and university employees utilizing programs and make implementation recommendations to meet needs.
• Use software such as Teams, Zoom, and IBM Player to facilitate virtual events including live-streaming programming, podcasts, and other externally facing broadcasts.
• Oversee analysis of engagement metrics for events.

Vendor Relationships

• May serve as primary resource and liaison on matters related to external events.

Strategic Planning for Off-Campus Events

• Provide expert advice on management of large-scale events, including vendor and client contractual recommendations and considerations.
• Other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree.
• Seven years of related experience with political, historic, or cultural venue events sales and management, preferably in an academic or nonprofit setting.
• Additional education may substitute for required experience and additional related experience may substitute for required education beyond a high school diploma/graduation equivalent, to the extent permitted by the JHU equivalency formula.

Preferred Qualifications

• Ten years related experience planning and managing large-scale and complex national events in higher education or comparable field.
• Experience in technical production for large-scale events.
• CMP (Certified Meeting Professional) through the Convention and Industry Council (CIC).
• CMM (Certified Meeting Manager) through the Convention and Industry Council (CIC).

Technical Qualifications or Specialized Certifications:

• CMP (Certified Meeting Professional) through the Convention and Industry Council (CIC).
• CMM (Certified Meeting Manager) through the Convention and Industry Council (CIC).
• DES (Digital Event Strategist) through Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA).

Classified Title: Director Events-Divisional

Job Posting Title (Working Title): Director of Events (School of Government and Policy)

Role/Level/Range: ATP/04/PE

Starting Salary Range: $75,135 - $144,650 Annually (Commensurate w/exp.)

Employee group: Full Time

Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:30am-5pm

FLSA Status: Exempt

Location: District of Columbia

Department name: Staff

Personnel area: School of Government & Policy