Event Manager

Event Manager University of South Florida - 4.1 Tampa, FL Job Details Full-time 1 day ago Benefits Health insurance Dental insurance Life insurance Retirement plan Qualifications Branding Managerial strategic planning Alumni relations (outreach initiatives) Strategic management Fiscal management Logistics management Supplier management Workflow management (operations management method) Expense management Catering Project timeline management Mid-level Event vendor coordination Schedule management Canva Bachelor's degree Team management Managing event budgets Vendor relationship management Visual communication design Vendor negotiation Networking through strategic partnership building Events management Guest services 4 years Cross-functional collaboration Communication skills Operational budget management Travel planning Marketing collateral creation

Full Job Description Organizational Summary:

The USF College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) is committed to excellence across the liberal arts and sciences. With more than 900 full-time faculty and staff across 23 academic departments and schools on all three campuses, the college serves 15,000 undergraduate majors and 1,700 graduate students, while delivering 487,000 semester credit hours annually to students across the university. We are home to 21 research centers and institutes. Our highly-ranked academic programs are among the best in the country and the world. Our faculty conduct cutting-edge and award-winning research in such areas as cancer cell biology, social media and human experience, bacterial pathogenesis, human dynamics, national security, and religion and health among others. Our degrees are structured so that students have opportunities for learning both inside the classroom and beyond it. The college's alumni are accomplished and engaged, and they are often recognized by the university in the campus's young alumni and Fast 56 awards. We are especially proud of the way that the college contributes to USF's national ranking as 22nd in the country in social mobility, a clear sign of the transformative value of the education we provide. When it comes to events, the overall goal of the Events Team is to advance the College's mission by creating, implementing, and maintaining an integrated strategy that ensures the most efficient use of CAS resources.

Position Summary:

The Event Manager is responsible for the strategic planning, coordination, and execution of meetings, conferences, and special events that support the mission and priorities of the College of Arts and Sciences. This position plays a critical role in building vibrant intellectual and social community within CAS by delivering high‑impact events that bring stakeholders (including but not limited to faculty, students, donors, alumni, and external partners) together around ideas, research, and shared purpose. The Event Manager is a solutions‑oriented professional who thrives in fast‑paced environments, anticipates challenges before they arise, and responds creatively when plans change. The Event Manager understands events not just as logistics, but as relationship‑building opportunities that strengthen networks and foster lasting engagement. In addition to overseeing strategy, logistics, and budgets, the Events Manager contributes to the creative dimension of events by collaborating on invitations, signage, programs, and other visual or written collateral that enhance the guest experience and reflect the College's brand and values. The Event Manager supports events hosted by the CAS Dean's Office, development, departments, centers, institutes, and may collaborate with university-wide partners on major campus initiatives and regional alumni programs. Event Strategy, Vision & Community Building Design and execute events that advance the College's mission while strengthening intellectual community and professional networks. Create and maintain a strategic calendar of events that features and reinforces the College's mission. Partner with CAS departments, centers, institutes, development team, and leadership to translate academic priorities into meaningful, engaging event experiences. Think beyond logistics to shape how events feel, function, and connect people across disciplines and audiences for in-person and virtual events. Incorporate inclusive, accessible, and welcoming practices into all event planning and execution in accordance with university policies and standards. Evaluate events using qualitative and quantitative feedback to improve future programming and deepen audience engagement. Planning, Logistics & Real-Time Problem Solving Lead all phases of event planning—from concept development through post-event follow-up—while managing multiple projects simultaneously. Develop clear timelines, workflows, and planning tools that support consistent, high-quality execution while meeting established deadlines. Anticipate risks and troubleshoot logistical challenges calmly and effectively, including last-minute changes. Coordinate all event operations including, but not limited to, venues, room setups, audiovisual needs, catering, accessibility accommodations, security, travel logistics for external guests, and on-site staffing in compliance with institutional policies. Serve as the on-site lead for events, ensuring a polished, professional, and responsive guest experience. Budget & Vendor Management Work with approved vendors and procurement partners to secure services and materials. Develop and manage event budgets with careful attention to fiscal stewardship and institutional policies. Negotiate with vendors and service providers to balance quality, creativity, and cost-effectiveness. Monitor expenditures, reconcile costs, and communicate transparently with stakeholders about budget status and priorities. Communications, Design & Event Collateral Collaborate with marketing and communications partners on event promotion, messaging, and outreach. Contribute to the design and production of invitations, signage, programs, digital assets, and other event materials. Ensure visual and written materials align with institutional branding while remaining audience-centered and engaging. Relationship Management & Team Leadership Serve as the primary point of contact for internal and external event partners. Build strong working relationships with internal partners, external guests, and community collaborators. Coordinate and supervise event staff and student workers, fostering a collaborative, service-oriented team culture. Act as a connector across departments, using events as catalysts for collaboration, networking, and shared purpose. Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree and four years experience or a combination of post high school education and experience equal to eight years.

Preferred Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree and demonstrated experience in event management, higher education, communications, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience. Proven ability to manage complex events with multiple stakeholders and logistical components with professionalism, creativity, and attention to detail. Strong problem‑solving skills and comfort making decisions in dynamic, live‑event environments. Excellent interpersonal skills as well as written and verbal communication skills, with a talent for building relationships and networks. Experience or demonstrated interest in basic design tools (e.g., Canva, Adobe Creative Suite) and event collateral development. High level of organizational skill, adaptability, and enthusiasm for collaborative work. Appreciation for academic culture and the role events play in fostering intellectual exchange and community. Working at USF With approximately 16,000 employees, the University of South Florida is one of the largest employers in the Tampa Bay area. We are dedicated to cultivating a talented, engaged and driven workforce that strives to be bold. Employees excel in USF's rich academic environment, which fosters their development and advancement. In 2025, Forbes recognized USF as one of Florida's best large employers, ranked No. 1 among the state's 12 public universities. Our first-class benefits package includes medical, dental and life insurance plans, retirement plan options, employee and dependent tuition programs, generous leave, and hundreds of employee perks and discounts. About USF The University of South Florida is a top-ranked research university serving approximately 50,000 students from across the globe at campuses in Tampa, St. Petersburg, Sarasota-Manatee and USF Health. USF is recognized by U.S. News & World Report as a top 50 public university and the best value in Florida. U.S. News also ranks the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine as the No. 1 medical school in Florida and in the highest tier nationwide. USF is a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU), a group that includes only the top 3% of universities in the U.S. With an all-time high of $738 million in research funding in 2024 and as a top 20 public university for producing U.S. patents, USF uses innovation to transform lives and shape a better future. The university generates an annual economic impact of more than $6 billion. USF's Division I athletics teams compete in the American Athletic Conference. Learn more at www.usf.edu . Compliance and Federal Notices This position may be subject to a Level 1 or Level 2 criminal background check. Applicants have rights under

Federal Employment Laws :

The University of South Florida is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on any characteristic protected by law. The University maintains programs for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities in accordance with all applicable federal and state laws. Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) Applicants for USF employment are entitled to request reasonable accommodation(s) in the application process. A request is to be made at least five (5) working days prior to the time the accommodation(s) is needed. Visit the Central Human Resources ADA Accommodations webpage for more information on requesting an accommodation during the application/interview process. Equal Employment Opportunity The University of South Florida is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on any characteristic protected by law. The University maintains affirmative action programs for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities in accordance with all applicable federal and state laws. This job description does not constitute an employment contract.