Event Planner Job at Western Governors University in Salt Lake City

If you're passionate about building a better future for individuals, communities, and our country-and you're committed to working hard to play your part in building that future-consider WGU as the next step in your career.

Driven by a mission to expand access to higher education through online, competency-based degree programs, WGU is also committed to being a great place to work for a diverse workforce of student-focused professionals. The university has pioneered a new way to learn in the 21st century, one that has received praise from academic, industry, government, and media leaders. Whatever your role, working for WGU gives you a part to play in helping students graduate, creating a better tomorrow for themselves and their families.

The salary range for this position takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to skill sets; experience and training; licensure and certifications; and other business and organizational needs.

At WGU, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range for their position, and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. A reasonable estimate of the current range is:

Pay Range: $66,300.00 - $99,500.00

Job Description

As an event planner, you will be a member of the University Events team, which plans and executes large events for students and staff and provides logistical expertise and support for events across the university. This is an ideal position for someone who thrives on working with other people, thinks creatively, likes to be engaged in multiple things at once, and enjoys the excitement of live productions. You will be part of a collaborative team with high levels of trust and autonomy. You can expect to be the go-to person for multiple aspects of large event planning and be solely responsible for some smaller event types. You will know you are succeeding in your role by your ability to work within budgets and timelines while meeting event objectives

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

• Initiate and lead meetings with stakeholders to guide the development of effective practices for planning and executing productions, meetings, and events, including production meetings, technical rehearsals, and show runs.
• Procure and coordinate vendor production services. Help negotiate vendor contracts to reduce costs, liability, and risks.
• Build and maintain relationships with internal and external partners.
• Serve as a member of an events project team and contribute to a wide variety of functional areas, including decisions around budget allocation and a hands-on approach to managing technical, design, and logistical elements.
• Manage any in-house or freelance technicians and event-specific contractors on Live Events and ensure that adequate and appropriate technical support is provided in advance, during, and following events.
• Assess the requirements of future events to ensure compatibility with the venues and to determine potential costs.
• Assist Lead and Sr. Events Planners with events, coordinating teams that plan, implement, and manage all aspects of events.
• Assist with onsite production, load-in/out, and house schedules. Ensure that events are run in line with regulations pertaining to the Premises License. To liaise with licensing, safety, and emergency services officials as required. To obtain special permissions where required (pyro's, lasers, radio mic licenses etc.)
• Assists in managing and reconciling various event calendars.
• Assists with pre-event setups and post-event evaluations and budgets.
• Manage a shared team inbox for multiple events with professional communication.
• Take the lead in one or more team functions such as event registration, trade show coordination, transportation, etc.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skill, and Abilities:

• Demonstrated success managing event production teams and planning, developing budgets, and meeting budget goals.
• Excellent project management skills and the ability to manage complex timelines and multiple projects.
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team. Proven leadership and management skills, with experience of event staff and crew management.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and time management skills. Must be well organized and detail-oriented.
• Experience with professional stage machinery/electrics/sound/lighting communications and audio-visual techniques.
• Exceptional customer service skills with the ability to cultivate partnerships.
• Demonstrated high level of confidence in making decisions, good judgment, and innovative and creative problem-solving skills.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office suite and knowledge of cloud applications such as Google Docs and SharePoint. Knowledge of Health and Safety and Licensing Regulations.
• Ability to interact and successfully collaborate with a broad spectrum of contributing groups and customers.
• Ability to accomplish goals working through formal and informal channels, with diplomacy and tactfulness. Demonstrated outstanding attention to detail.
• Resourcefulness and ability to problem solve and troubleshoot.
• Demonstrated ability to learn quickly

Job Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree
• 3+ years' experience

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with trade shows, large broadcast events, transportation management, or hospitality management.
• Experience fully owning one or more specialty areas related to large events.
• Experience administering event management platforms.
• Experience using Excel for data import and export.

Physical Requirements:

• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Prolonged periods on your feet for extended periods of time during events.
• Must be able to lift up to 25 pounds at times.
• Frequently stand/walk, sit, perform desk-based computer tasks, and use a telephone.
• Occasionally kneel/crawl, twist/bend/stoop/squat, grasp lightly/fine manipulation, and grasp forcefully, lift/carry/push/pull objects that weigh 21-40 pounds.
• Consistent with its obligations under the law, the University will provide reasonable accommodation to any employee with a disability who requires accommodation to perform the essential functions of his or her job.
• Will require some travel (up to 35%) and working evenings and weekends.
• Salt Lake City Office required.

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Position & Application Details

Full-Time Regular Positions (classified as regular and working 40 standard weekly hours): This is a full-time, regular position (classified for 40 standard weekly hours) that is eligible for bonuses; medical, dental, vision, telehealth and mental healthcare; health savings account and flexible spending account; basic and voluntary life insurance; disability coverage; accident, critical illness and hospital indemnity supplemental coverages; legal and identity theft coverage; retirement savings plan; wellbeing program; discounted WGU tuition; and flexible paid time off for rest and relaxation with no need for accrual, flexible paid sick time with no need for accrual, 11 paid holidays, and other paid leaves, including up to 12 weeks of parental leave.

How to Apply: If interested, an application will need to be submitted online. Internal WGU employees will need to apply through the internal job board in Workday.

Additional Information

Disclaimer: The job posting highlights the most critical responsibilities and requirements of the job. It's not all-inclusive.

Accommodations: Applicants with disabilities who require assistance or accommodation during the application or interview process should contact our Talent Acquisition team at recruiting@wgu.edu.

Equal Opportunity Employer: We are an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.