Director of Signature Events (SAL 10)

Please note that references provided at the time of application for staff positions will not be contacted until the applicant has been offered the position.

Description

The Director of Signature Events is a key position within the Office of the President. The Director provides strategic leadership, vision, and supervisory monitoring related to signature event programming by leading the organization of all event details, including securing venues; media and other technical needs; developing invitee lists and event communications; identifying and contracting with suitable speakers and performers (if applicable); and engaging with event vendors and partners. This individual will also serve as host to and cultivate relationships with key VIP guests, including Commencement and Convocation speakers, trustees and trustee spouses, and other guests of the President’s Office and the College. Working with a wide range of stakeholders, the Director helps ensure that signature events represent the interests of the Office of the President with a focus on building a sense of community as well as pride in and celebration of the College and its mission with on- and off-campus constituents. Events will include, but are not limited to, Opening Convocation; Board of Trustee meetings signature events, including leading the spouses program; Mid-Year and May Commencement Ceremonies; Convocation Program logistics; Homecoming and Summer Reunion; and VIP Presidential programs, meetings and events. The Director also supervises the live events media team for campus events ranging from self-service equipment checkout to full operation of lighting, sound and video production for high-profile events that have internal or external audiences

Examples of Duties

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Regular and predictable attendance is essential. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Plan, develop, implement, and evaluate signature events for the Office of the President and other key campus areas, as needed, in support of the College and the Great Commitments
• Establish and implement signature event policies, procedures, guidelines
• Serve as host to and cultivate relationships with key VIP guests, including Commencement and Convocation speakers, trustees and trustee spouses, and other guests of the President’s Office and the College.
• Direct all signature event details, including securing venues; developing invitee lists and event communications; identifying and contracting with suitable speakers and performers (if applicable); and engaging with event vendors and partners
• Direct events that will include, but are not limited to, Opening Convocation; Board of Trustee meetings signature events; Mid-Year and May Commencement Ceremonies; Homecoming and Summer Reunion; and VIP Presidential programs, meetings and events
• Develop and lead the Board of Trustees spouses’ program.
• Supervise the live events media team for campus events ranging from self-service equipment checkout to full operation of lighting, sound and video production for high-profile events that have internal or external audiences
• Direct Convocation event logistics, including contracting, transportation, lodging, and technology in collaboration with the Convocation committee
• Oversee signature event budgets by monitoring expenditures, making budget projections, and participating in the budget planning process by presenting recommendations and considerations
• Promote signature events within the Berea College community and beyond in collaboration with the Director of Internal and Presidential Communications and the College’s Marketing and Communications team
• Ensure compliance with Berea College policies and state and federal laws
  
  

Other roles/duties will be assigned as necessary to assist the College in the attainment of the goals set forth and the enhancement of a positive, respectful learning environment for all staff, faculty and students.

Typical Qualifications

Education required to ensure success in this position:

• Bachelor’s degree required
  
  

Experience Required To Ensure Success In This Position

• At least five years of experience in signature event planning and execution
• Higher education programming experience
• Previous supervision experience is a plus.
  
  

Special Skills, Knowledge And Abilities

• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Superior interpersonal skills with the ability to work collegially and collaboratively
• Ability to build positive relationships with a variety of constituents
• Strong organizational and project management skills, and meticulous attention to detail
• Significant experience in program planning, coordination, and evaluation
• Computer skills, including data processing, database management, and financial spreadsheets
• Ability to maintain confidentiality
• Event organization of media and other technology related to events.
  
  

Founded in 1855, Berea College is nationally recognized as the first coeducational and interracial college in the South. Berea has a longstanding commitment to interracial education and is one of the most racially diverse private liberal arts colleges in the United States. With an emphasis on service to Appalachia and beyond, Berea enrolls more than 1,500 students from 46 states and U.S. territories and more than 70 countries. Berea College admits students who are unable to afford tuition and provides all of them with a no-tuition promise, valued at more than $204,000. Berea’s students excel in the College’s supportive yet demanding academic environment, and most are the first in their families to attend college. As one of only nine federally recognized Work Colleges, all Berea students are expected to work 10-12 hours weekly in various positions across campus. Berea College is listed #20 in overall ranking in the U.S. by the Wall Street Journal /College Pulse college rankings , 2023 . The Washington Monthly ranks Berea College #2 Best Liberal Arts College and #1 in Social Mobility, 2023. Money Magazine ranks Berea #20 Best Overall College and #10 for Best in the South, 2023 . Berea College is also the only institution in Kentucky to receive the 5-Star Rating from Money Magazine, 2023.

Located where the Bluegrass Region meets the Cumberland Mountains, the town of Berea (pop. 16,000) lies forty miles south of Lexington and is approximately two hours from Cincinnati, Louisville, and Knoxville. More information about Berea College is available at

Berea College, in light of its mission in the tradition of impartial love and social equality, welcomes all people of the earth to learn and work here.

Berea College is always looking for talented, self-motivated individuals to join our team. If you think you are ready to be a part of an exciting team, then we encourage you to continue with this applicant friendly, online job application!

Berea College is an Equal Opportunity Employer that recruits and hires qualified candidates without regard to race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, disability, or veteran status.

Berea College offers a comprehensive benefits package to eligible employees and their families including health care, dental, vision, retirement, health savings accounts, flexible spending accounts, life insurance, short-term disability, long-term disability and an Employee Assistance Program. The benefit package also includes access to the

Eligible staff employees also receive paid holidays, vacation, and sick leave.

Part-time employees who work an average of 24 hours per week over the course of a year, receive benefits on a pro-rated basis.

To learn more details, visit our benefits page at