Events Manager

A cover letter and resume are required for consideration for this position. The cover letter should be included in the same document as your resume and should specifically address your interest in this position and highlight related skills and experience.

The Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy is seeking an Events Manager to lead the strategy, planning, and execution of the school's event series and programming. Ford School events are a signature part of our mission and visibility--convening faculty experts, students, alumni, and distinguished policy leaders and other public figures for public talks, panel discussions, lectures, conferences, workshops, signature school events, and donor/stewardship programming in a mix of in-person and hybrid formats.

You will provide program and operational leadership for events, partnering with school leadership, faculty, research centers, and communications colleagues to shape a cohesive slate of programming. You will supervise and collaborate with the Events Coordinator and report to the Director of Marketing and Communications.

The Ford School is one of the nation's foremost policy schools, housed at one of the world's great public universities. We lead research that illuminates public policy challenges and opportunities, educate future policy leaders and analysts, and work with policymakers to inform and improve local, state, national, and international policies. Our dedication to the public good is grounded in our core values.

We are committed to providing a positive and inclusive work environment, including flexible work opportunities. You will generally work in the office 3-4 days per week during the academic year, with additional on-site presence required for events. Some evening and weekend work will be required, along with occasional travel.

Event strategy, programming, and planning

• Lead a collaborative slate of high-profile public events and visits from a diverse array of policy leaders each academic year (around 20-30 per year, including a creative blend of in-person and virtual approaches).
• Work collaboratively with the dean, the director of communications, other senior staff, faculty members, students, alumni, and others to develop and maintain an annual multifaceted events plan that advances the Ford School's impact on public policy.
• Respond to emerging event or engagement-related opportunities and short-notice requests by assessing fit, coordinating decisions, and triaging next steps to ensure timely execution.
• Work with internal stakeholders to shape event agendas and formats that maximize impact, and maintain strong planning standards and documentation to ensure consistency and continuity.

Event production and execution

• Coordinate speaker/VIP logistics, including scheduling, itineraries, on-site needs, and post-event follow-up.
• Oversee venues, catering, registration/check-in, accessibility accommodations, transportation, and other onsite operations in partnership with the Events Coordinator.
• Coordinate AV and hybrid needs with designated AV/digital staff, confirming requirements, scheduling support, and ensuring rehearsals/tech run-throughs occur (technical execution handled elsewhere).
• Coordinate post-event tasks such as leading debriefs and ensuring all post-event deliverables are received (e.g., videos, photos, receipts, etc.)

Event marketing, communications, and stewardship

• Develop and help execute event marketing and promotional strategies for events in coordination with the MarCom team,
• Produce and coordinate executive communications for public events, including dean's invitations, remarks, correspondence with speakers, and post-visit follow-up.
• Build audiences and partnership opportunities for public events.

Leadership, budgeting, and continuous improvement

• Plan and execute the Ford School's spring Commencement ceremony, coordinating closely with Student and Academic Services and other key partners to ensure all program and logistical elements are delivered successfully.
• Supervise and work in close partnership with the Events Coordinator, who supports logistical planning and execution for events and visitor engagements.
• Manage event budgets across multiple funds; oversee vendors/contracts and reconciliation, with support from the Events Coordinator and other Ford School staff.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Broad understanding of public policy and current affairs, demonstrated through professional experience, education, or sustained interest.
• 4+ years of progressively responsible experience planning and executing complex events and high-profile visits.
• Demonstrated project management, event promotion, writing, and editing experience.
• Experience managing budgets, vendors, and contracts, including reconciliation and documentation.
• Experience supervising or leading staff, student employees, and/or volunteers.
• Commitment to planning accessible and inclusive events.