Program and Events Manager, Office of the President & Dean

The Program and Events Manager coordinates, oversees, and participates in a variety of campus-wide programs housed in or sponsored by the Office of the President & Dean. The Program and Events Manager will also work on a variety of other campus-wide programs by hosting kickoff meetings, coordinating timetables, and helping to establish and model industry best practices for in-person and online events. The Program and Events Manager will need to collaborate across various departments and work with students, prospective students, families of students, trustees, alumni, faculty, staff, and outside attorneys, judges, and professors. In addition, the Program and Manager will serve as an integral part of the Office of the President & Dean and will help with a variety of daily tasks and office projects.

Core Job Responsibilities

  • Work with the President & Dean to plan and run a variety of ongoing projects, including the Dean’s Leadership Academy, the Southwestern Law School Inn of Court, Homecoming, Distinguished Jurist-in-Residence Program, Winter Holidays Celebration, Constitution Day, and employee appreciation events; manage all or most aspects of pre, day-of, and post-event activities for these and other projects.
  • Help develop and manage other programs, including conferences, retreats, signature events, residences, and guest speakers.
  • Assist with commencement.
  • Work with faculty recruiting committees to organize on-campus visits by faculty candidates.
  • Prepare and manage budgets for different programs and events.
  • Collaborate with other departments to coordinate the President & Dean’s regular interaction with different constituencies, such as lunches and dinners with students.
  • Review event request forms and work with the Chief of Staff to ensure the President & Dean is fully prepared for events she is required or chooses to attend.
  • Work with the Chief of Staff to plan and execute logistics of Board of Trustee meetings and Board committee meetings.
  • Assist with matters related to the Law School’s master calendar and overall event scheduling process.
  • Prepare some announcements, fliers, and invitations related to events sponsored by the Office of the President & Dean; collaborate with staff in Communications and Marketing regarding event publicity.
  • Work across departments to ensure that major law school events are well-planned and executed, whether in person or via Zoom or another platform; plan and attend kickoff meetings and ensure realistic timetables are developed and met.
  • Manage continuing legal education applications and processes for various events.
  • Work with outside vendors to help effectuate programs and events.
  • Ensure events are accessible.
  • Remain apprised of relevant internal and external law school developments to effectively triage, respond to, or relay inquiries to the Office of the President & Dean from students, faculty, staff, trustees, alumni, and others.
  • Draft and proofread correspondence, announcements, nominations, memos, reports, and contracts.
  • Attend meetings and prepare minutes or follow-up items.
  • Participate in various aspects of departmental and corporate budget preparation and review.
  • Coordinate travel for VIPs.
  • Interact with a wide variety of faculty, administrators, students, trustees, and alumni to help serve those constituencies.
  • Collaborate with other staff in the Office of the President & Dean to fulfill the law school’s mission and meet other critical priorities.
  • Help ensure a professional and welcoming office environment.
  • Perform other assigned duties.

Minimum Job Requirements

  • Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution; may substitute four years of vocational school training, job-related experience, or a combination in a similar position, but must have a high-school diploma or GED.
  • Advanced proficiency in arranging and running online meetings and webinars via Zoom (including using the waiting room, breakout rooms, and polling).
  • Advanced proficiency using Adobe Acrobat Pro and Microsoft Office Suite (e.g., Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, and Outlook).

Preferred Qualifications

  • Certificate or certification in event planning or online event planning (e.g., Certified Meetings Professional, Certified Special Events Professional, Certified Event Planning Specialist, Digital Event Strategist, Certified Quality Event Planner, or Certification in Meeting Management).
  • Certificate or certification in project management.
  • Ability to shoot and edit high-quality photos.
  • Basic competency in editing videos (e.g., from Zoom webinars).
  • Proficiency with Abode Lightroom, Photoshop, and other photo enhancement software.
  • Proficiency with multimedia platforms like the Adobe Creative Suite.
  • Knowledge of Canvas or another learning management system.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required

  • Proven ability to work effectively using sound judgment and decision-making.
  • Ability to use judgment and discretion to act when precedents do not exist, understand problems from a broader perspective, and anticipate the impact problems and solutions on other areas.
  • Proven project-management experience and excellent organizational skills.
  • A demonstrated ability to communicate effectively through print and digital media.
  • Excellent customer service skills.
  • Strong active listening skills.
  • Excellent technical, writing, and oral communication skills.
  • Ability to collaborate with diverse constituencies and personalities in an environment committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
  • Ability to plan and execute events for audiences with diverse identities, cultures, backgrounds, and abilities.
  • Strong reasoning, analytical, and organizational skills required for effective problem-solving.
  • Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective interpersonal relationships and keep confidences.
  • Ability to meet or beat deadlines.
  • Ability to work effectively and efficiently under pressure while maintaining a high level of professionalism and diplomacy.
  • Attention to detail and accuracy.
  • Ability to deliver difficult news and ask questions of senior administrators and faculty with tact.
  • Ability to accept and deliver constructive feedback.
  • Strong work ethic and ability to keep pace with positivity in a fast and dynamic office environment.
  • Flexibility, resourcefulness, and responsiveness.
  • Willingness to take on any task, large or small, necessary to advance the goals of the President & Dean and Law School.
  • Ability to conduct some work remotely and to work in a hybrid environment.
  • Ability to work flexible hours, including some evenings and weekends.

Working Conditions

General office environment. Local travel to participate in meetings and events may occur. Requires work in a stationary position for extended periods of time and operation of computer and other office equipment. Requires the ability to navigate the physical campus. Must be able to lift up to 25 pounds and stand and walk for prolonged periods. Will be able to work remotely most Fridays. During the summer session, may be able to work remotely for one or two additional days. Free onsite parking.

Salary range: $67,000 – $77,000

To be considered for this position, please email a cover letter and resume to jobs6@swlaw.edu.

 

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