Harvard University

Harvard University

Director, Events

Cambridge, MA, United States · Director

No sponsorshipDetected 7 days ago
SpringProject ManagementCRMBudgetingExcelCustomer SupportResearchLeadershipCommunicationCollaborationProblem SolvingMicrosoft Office

About the role

  • The Director of Events is a senior leadership role responsible for setting the strategic vision, operational direction, and service model for the AA&D Events department.
  • Provide strategic leadership and oversight for the AA&D Events department, including long-term planning, organizational effectiveness, and team development.
  • Foster strong partnerships across AA&D to ensure cross-unit collaboration, planning, alignment, and effective resource management.

Responsibilities

  • Lead, mentor, and develop a team of event professionals by establishing clear goals, performance expectations, and opportunities for professional growth and advancement.
  • Partner with the Executive Director and internal units to develop and implement a comprehensive event strategy aligned with AA&D and University priorities, ensuring consistency, quality, innovation, and impact across all events.
  • Serve as a senior advisor and thought partner to institutional leadership regarding engagement strategy, event planning, and constituent experience.
  • Oversee and strengthen AA&D's partnerships with a variety of campus partners, including Campus Event Services (catering and facilities), spaces, HUPD, AV, transportation.
  • Develop scalable processes, policies, and best practices that support high-quality event execution and sustainable departmental growth.
  • Lead departmental communication efforts and facilitate regular team and stakeholder meetings to support transparency, collaboration, and alignment.
  • Support for families and caregivers

Requirements

  • Bachelor's degree required.
  • Minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible experience in event planning, engagement strategy, or related fields, including at least 5 years of leadership and staff management experience in a complex organization.
  • This position requires the ability to carry up to 50 pounds.
  • Travel, evening and weekend work required.

Skills

  • Exceptional strategic planning, project management, and operational oversight capabilities.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills and the ability to exercise sound judgment and discretion.
  • Experience leading through organizational change and implementing new processes and systems.
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to use data and metrics to inform decision-making.
  • High attention to detail, professionalism, flexibility, creativity, and resourcefulness.
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel, and experience with CRM and project management systems.
  • Familiarity with higher education, alumni relations, development, or advancement environments preferred.
  • Orientation and Review Period: 6 months
  • Standard Hours/Schedule: 40 hours per week

Benefits

  • Our benefits include, but are not limited to:
  • Generous paid time off including parental leave
  • Medical, dental, and vision health insurance coverage starting on day one
  • Retirement plans with university contributions
  • Wellbeing and mental health resources
  • Professional development opportunities including tuition assistance and reimbursement
  • Commuter benefits, discounts and campus perks
  • Learn more about these and additional benefits on our Benefits & Wellbeing Page.

Company info

  • We seek talent from all parts of society and the world, and we strive to ensure everyone at Harvard thrives.

Equal opportunity

  • EEO/Non-Discrimination Commitment Statement
  • equal opportunity and non-discrimination.

Visa & Work Authorization

  • Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position

This listing is sourced directly from Harvard University's careers page and normalized into a canonical job model.