Columbia University
Deputy Director, Event Strategy
🇺🇸 Morningside, MD
🕑 Full-Time
💰 $90K - $105K
💻 Project Management
🗓️ July 11th, 2025
Edtech.com's Summary
- Lead strategic planning and execution of all CGEP-hosted public and private events, excluding the annual Summit.
- Manage daily operations including event logistics, budgets, vendor contracts, and internal/external stakeholder communications.
- Develop event protocols and standardize team practices aligned with organizational guidelines.
- Supervise and mentor event staff and collaborate with faculty, policymakers, and industry executives.
- Use event management software such as Cvent and Eventbrite, and project management tools like Asana or Trello.
- Minimum of 5+ years experience in event planning with leadership in large-scale events and strong financial management skills.
- Bachelor’s degree required; experience in nonprofit, higher education, or mission-driven organizations preferred.
- Effective written and verbal communication skills with vendor negotiation expertise.
- Responsible for budget tracking, expense management, and producing executive-level event performance reports.
- Acts as Deputy Director and makes independent decisions on urgent event issues as necessary.
Deputy Director, Event Strategy Full Description
- Job Type: Officer of Administration
- Regular/Temporary: Regular
- Hours Per Week: 35
- Salary Range: $90,000-$105,000
The salary of the finalist selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to departmental budgets, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, specialty, and training. The above hiring range represents the University's good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.
Position Summary
This role will oversee daily operations involving event logistics, processes, and workflows, including corresponding budgets and finances, manage vendor and internal/external relationships, and act as the Director’s delegate when necessary.
The Deputy Director will be responsible for planning all CGEP-hosted public and private events (outside of the annual Summit), including briefings, workshops, webinars, and roundtables for the Columbia community, policymakers, industry executives and the general public.
Responsibilities
- Partner with the Director of Events to develop and implement event strategies and best practices.
- Lead planning sessions and manage timelines for major events.
- Represent the Events Team in cross-departmental meetings when needed.
- Work closely with CGEP Finance team to track budget related to events.
- Develop strong working relationships with scholars, faculty, staff, and external partners associated with the program; manage scope of delivery and regularly inform stakeholders of program related activity and/or decisions.
- Track and analyze program content and materials and recommend improvements.
- Manage end-to-end event planning for flagship and high-profile events, including logistics, vendor management, budgeting, and onsite execution.
- Create and maintain project plans and event timelines majority of CGEP programs.
- Ensure events meet quality standards, deadlines, and budget goals.
- Analyze event outcomes to inform decision making.
- Ensure on-time delivery and exceptional execution for CGEP programs, including managing project plans, briefings, invitation trackers, and communications plans.
- Supervise day-to-day event operations and processes.
- Provide mentorship and guidance to event staff and scholars planning events.
- Develop event protocols, templates, and resource materials to standardize team practices aligned with the CGEP Comms Team guidebook.
- Assist in managing the budgets for events and ensure expenses remain in budgetary framework.
- Negotiate vendor contracts and manage invoice approvals.
- Track event-specific expenses and ensure fiscal responsibility, with reports and analysis to support decision making.
- Work with the CGEP finance team on budget development based on previous expenses, and tracking related to events.
- Serve as a primary point of contact for scholars, researchers, vendors, and external partners regarding event logistics and planning.
- With the Director, prepare executive-level reports on event performance and impact.
- Serve as Acting Director of Events in the Director’s absence.
- Make independent decisions on urgent issues requiring immediate attention.
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree and at least 5+ years of experience in event planning and management, including leadership of complex, large-scale events.
- Strong leadership, project management, and organizational skills.
- Ability to manage multiple projects with competing deadlines.
- Excellent vendor management and negotiation skills.
- Outstanding written and verbal communication abilities.
- Proficiency in event management software (e.g., Cvent, Eventbrite) and project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello).
- Budget management experience.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience working in a nonprofit, higher education, or mission-driven organization.
Other Requirements
- Strategic and critical thinking
- Problem-solving
- Team leadership
- High attention to detail
- Flexibility and adaptability
- Customer service orientation
Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran
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