Associate Director of Events and Engagement, Development

Grand Canyon University! One of Arizona’s leading institutions of higher learning.

Located in the Valley of the Sun in the heart of Phoenix, Arizona. GCU is an institutionally accredited, private, nondenominational Christian University.

The Associate Director serves as the primary owner of all events hosted by GCU Development, leading each from concept through execution. Working within a framework and budget established by department directors, this role is responsible for planning and delivering events that strengthen donor relationships and represent the university to its supporters and partners.

What You Will Do

• Work alongside the GCU Advancement team to own and execute events across the department incorporating every experience that brings supporters, partners, students, and the university community together.
• Serve as the single point of ownership for anything with a date, a venue, and a guest list, ensuring each experience is planned well, hosted well, and executed flawlessly.
• Provide event-related support functions across GCU Advancement to ensure day-to-day operations are managed effectively and efficiently, and assist in managing projects and activities that enhance productivity within the department
• Collaborate and deliver on activation items for university partnerships.
• Lead post-event debriefs and reporting (attendance, engagement, and outcomes) and partner with Development staff on timely stewardship and follow-up.
• Coordinate vendor contracts, venue agreements, and event logistics; ensure compliance with university policies and risk-management requirements.
• Develop and manage event budgets; track expenses and ensure alignment with Advancement goals. Lead post-event debriefs and reporting (attendance, engagement, and outcomes) and partner with Development staff on timely stewardship and follow-up. Coordinate vendor contracts, venue agreements, and event logistics; ensure compliance with university policies and risk-management requirements.
• Develop and manage event budgets; track expenses and ensure alignment with Advancement goals.
• Other duties as assigned.
  
  

What You Will Need

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Recommended: 5 years of progressively responsible experience in event planning/management; fundraising, nonprofit, or higher education experience preferred.
• Recommended: 5 years of progressively responsible experience in event planning/management; fundraising, nonprofit, or higher education experience preferred.
• Proven experience planning and executing events end-to-end, including on-campus experiences, major/marquee events, supporter travel and trip logistics, and recurring relational gatherings.
• Strong background in donor engagement initiatives and creating high-quality guest experiences.
• Experience scouting, vetting, and owning a calendar of external events, locally and nationally, with sound judgment on where the organization should show up.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple events and projects simultaneously against competing deadlines and stakeholders.
• Experience leading teams, including student workers and part-time staff.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams and manage relationships at all organizational levels.
• Comfort in a front-facing role hosting supporters, partners, and guests directly
• Must pass background investigation.
• Provide a positive example to students by supporting the University’s Doctrinal Statement, Ethical Position Statement and Mission of Grand Canyon University.
  
  

Why Work At GCU

• Exceptional workplace benefits include medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurance, flexible spending accounts, a 401K savings plan
• Generous time off plan and 11 paid holidays
• Paid time off to volunteer in the community or at GCU sponsored events
• Free covered parking
• We also offer full-time employees, their spouses, and dependent children an Education Tuition Discount Program
• Free on-site gyms on campus
  
  

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