Director of University Events

5-8 years of progressively responsible experience in event management, conference services, campus operations, hospitality management, project management, or a related field.

Experience coordinating complex, multi-stakeholder events and managing facility usage, logistics, and vendor relationships.

Essential Functions:

• Manage and coordinate use of facilities on the main campus in Poughkeepsie, at the New York City Executive Center, or other locations.
• Oversee all aspects of project management related to events from initiation to completion by developing comprehensive plans, defining goals, tasks, timelines, resources, and deliverables.
• Maintain strong working relationships with other University units in service of University events and related operations. Collaborate as appropriate to gather information, communicate effectively, answer questions, and complete tasks across a variety of departments.
• Support the Office of the Executive Vice President and Assistant Vice President of Operations with written materials, projects, initiatives, and meetings, as needed.
• Serve as a key member of the Commencement Committee with direct management of event staffing.
• Serve on committees and working groups to support the operation of the office and participate in university-wide activities.
• Other duties as assigned.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working in a higher education environment.
• Experience planning and executing large-scale institutional events, such as commencements, conferences, ceremonies, or VIP events.
• Experience with event management, scheduling, or reservation software.
• Demonstrated experience managing event budgets and vendor contracts.
• Experience supervising staff, temporary event personnel, or student workers.
• Master's degree in Higher Education Administration, Business Administration, Hospitality Management, or a related field.

Required Application Documents:

Resume, Cover Letter, & Contact Information of 3 Professional References

Benefits:

The position includes a comprehensive benefit package*. Benefits for this position include but are not limited to the following:

• 3 weeks of paid vacation. 4 weeks of paid vacation beginning in the 6th year of employment.
• Unlimited paid sick time.
• 14+ paid holidays per year.
• Medical, Dental & Vision insurance programs at a 15% employee / 85% employer contribution rate. Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) and Dependent Care (FSD).
• Life insurance.
• Generous short-term and long-term disability programs and workers compensation.
• 403(b) defined contribution plan:
  • First 6 years University contributes 7.5%, Employee contributes a mandatory 4%.
  • University contribution increases to 10.5% in year 7, and 12% after 15 years.
  • Employee contribution decreases to 1% in year 7. Remains 1% thereafter.
  • Typical eligibility requirements: 1 year of service and 1,000 hours with Marist University.
• 403(b) Tax Deferred Annuity – Roth option available. Voluntary, up to IRS maximum contribution.
• Tuition Benefits:
  • Up to 16 undergraduate credits per semester. Up to 18 graduate credit per academic calendar. Eligibility extends to employee, spouse, and dependent children under age 26.
  • University pays 100% tuition only.
  • Eligible dependents may be Reimbursed up to $2,000 per semester towards tuition at another accredited institution.

*Eligibility requirements including waiting periods and/or employee probationary periods may apply at the discretion of the University.

About Marist University:

Founded in 1929, Marist is a comprehensive, independent four-year institution whose signature educational approach blends the liberal arts with pre-professional studies and emphasizes experiential learning to enrich classroom instruction. With campuses in Poughkeepsie, N.Y., and Florence, Italy, plus over 70 programs offering a variety of international study, Marist is a portal to the world and is devoted to nurturing a welcoming, inclusive community. Through six schools offering almost 50 majors, Marist cultivates the intellectual growth and well-being of its more than 6,000 undergraduate and graduate students and encourages them to color outside traditional academic lines as they pursue coursework and personal experiences that provide valuable occupational expertise and reflect their individual passions. Marist has been acclaimed a top institution in the nation by U.S. News & World Report, the Wall Street Journal/College Pulse, Princeton Review, and others. To learn more, please visit https://www.marist.edu/about

Type of Position:

Full-time

Classification:

Administrative (Exempt)

Months per Year:

12

Work Schedule:

Monday-Friday 8:30am-5:00pm

Hours per Week:

37.5

Location:

Marist University Main Campus

Number of Position Openings:

1

Equal Employment Statement:

Marist University is committed to creating an inclusive workforce on our campus by ensuring that barriers to equal employment opportunity and upward mobility do not exist here. To this end, the University will strive to achieve the full and fair participation of all members of the Marist community.

Equal opportunity means employment, development, and promotion of individuals without consideration of race, color, disability, religion, age, sex, marital status, national origin, sexual orientation, or veteran status unless there is a bona fide occupational requirement which excludes persons in one of these protected groups. The University will review its employment policies and procedures to ensure that barriers which may unnecessarily exclude protected groups are identified and eliminated. The University will also explore alternative approaches if any policy or practice is found to have a negative impact on protected groups.

Marist's policy of non-discrimination includes not only employment practices but also extends to all services and programs provided by the University. It shall be considered a violation of University policy for any member of the community to discriminate against any individual or group with respect to employment or attendance at Marist University on the basis of race, color, disability, religion, age, sex, marital status, national origin, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other condition established by law.

Advertised: September 28, 2026 Eastern Daylight Time
Applications close: