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 also supports 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. This role collaborates across departments and works with trustees, faculty, staff, students, prospective students, families of students, and outside attorneys, judges, and professors. In addition, the Program and Events Manager serves as an integral part of the Office of the President & Dean and assists with a variety of daily tasks and office projects.

Core Job Responsibilities

Program and event planning and execution

Work with the President & Dean to plan and a variety of major campus events and projects, including several signature events (e.g., Homecoming, the Distinguished Jurist-in-Residence Program, Montgomery Awards, Constitution Day, State of the Law School Address), managing all or most aspects of pre-event, day-of, and post-event activities.
Support programming presented by the Panish Civil Justice Program and the Southwestern Law School Inn of Court.
Help develop and manage new programs, including conferences, signature events, residences for judges and other high-ranking government officials, and guest speakers.
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.
Ensure events are accessible.

Budgeting, contracts, and vendor management

Prepare and manage budgets for different programs.
Direct financial operations for events, including vendor procurement, contract negotiation, and post-event reconciliation of all financial transactions.
Research, select, and manage outside vendors to help effectuate programs and events.
Participate in various aspects of departmental and corporate budget preparation and review.

Board and institutional calendar support

Work with the Chief of Staff to plan and execute logistics of Board of Trustees meetings and Board committee meetings.
Assist with matters related to the Law School’s master calendar and overall event scheduling process.

Stakeholder engagement and communications

Collaborate with other departments to coordinate the President & Dean’s regular interaction with different constituencies (e.g., lunches and dinners with students).
Prepare 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.
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.
Interact with a wide variety of faculty, administrators, students, trustees, and alumni to help serve those constituencies.

Administrative and office operations

Supervise staff assistants and staff and student event volunteers.
Draft and proofread correspondence, announcements, nominations, memos, reports, and contracts.
Attend meetings and prepare timely, accurate minutes and follow-up items.
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.
Manage continuing legal education applications and processes for various events.
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.
At least three years’ full-time work experience.
Advanced proficiency using Adobe Acrobat Pro and Microsoft Office Suite (e.g., Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Forms, and Outlook).
Superior writing, editing, and oral communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience planning and executing high-quality events in a higher education or nonprofit setting.
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 Adobe Lightroom, Photoshop, and other photo enhancement software.
Proficiency with multimedia platforms like the Adobe Creative Suite.
Proficiency with Canva.
Knowledge of Canvas or another learning management system.
High degree of comfort learning new technology (e.g., Generative AI, project management programs, EMS 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 of problems and solutions on other areas.
Proven project-management experience and excellent organizational skills.
Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively through print and digital media.
Excellent customer-service skills.
Strong active listening 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 manage several projects simultaneously.
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 and adaptability.
Willingness to take on any task, large or small, necessary to advance the goals of the President & Dean and the 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 and run errands may occur. Requires work in a stationary position for extended periods of time and operation of computer and other office equipment. Must be able to lift up to 25 pounds and stand and walk and stand for prolonged periods. Will be able to work remotely most Fridays and potentially one other day most weeks. a variety of daily tasks and office projects.

Salary: $75,000 - $78,000/yr., depending on experience

Please send a cover letter and resume to jobs18@swlaw.edu to be considered for this position.