Assistant Director for Ceremonial & Reputational Events

Job Posting Title: Assistant Director for Ceremonial & Reputational Events ---- Hiring Department: University Development Office ---- Position Open To: All Applicants ---- Weekly Scheduled Hours: 40 ---- FLSA Status: Exempt from FLSA ---- Earliest Start Date: Jul 26, 2026 ---- Position Duration: Expected to Continue ---- Location: UT MAIN CAMPUS ---- Job Details: About The University of Texas at Austin What starts here changes the world. The University of Texas at Austin, founded in 1883, ranks among the best universities in the world. With 76 programs ranked in the top 10, UT Austin is the #1 public university in Texas and the #7 public university in the nation. Like the state it calls home, The University of Texas at Austin is a bold, ambitious leader supporting more than 55,000 students, 4,750 faculty, 15,000 staff and top national programs across 18 colleges and schools. Amid the backdrop of Austin, Texas, a city recognized for its creative and entrepreneurial spirit, the University provides a place to explore countless opportunities for tomorrow’s artists, scientists, athletes, doctors, entrepreneurs and engineers. Learn more about UT’s mission and values and leadership . Why Join Texas Development? The University of Texas at Austin is a thriving hub of learning and discovery that anchors our city and enables excellence and innovation on the highest level. And it’s only possible because generous supporters believe in the power and promise of our state’s flagship university to change the world. With more than $6 billion raised in the What Starts Here campaign, Texas Development is quickly becoming one of the best fundraising programs in public higher education. Texas Development is a dynamic community of 500+ fundraising professionals across the Forty Acres. We strive to reach the highest levels of achievement and success in all that we do by creating meaningful and powerful experiences for our donors. Follow your passion, grow your career and help us change the world . Benefits The University provides a competitive benefits package that includes insurance and retirement benefits in addition to other programs and services. Texas Development supports growth by offering professional development opportunities that help every team member accomplish their goals, enrich their skillset and deepen their engagement with UT. Purpose The Assistant Director for Ceremonial & Reputational Events leads the planning, execution, and continuous improvement of high-visibility university events that advance institutional reputation, recognize excellence, and strengthen engagement with key campus and external stakeholders. This portfolio includes university awards programs, ceremonial events, faculty engagement events, and other events as assigned. The Assistant Director manages complex event logistics, project timelines, budgets, vendor coordination, documentation, stakeholder communications, and on-site execution while ensuring alignment with university priorities and standards. The role builds strong relationships with colleagues, campus partners, university services, external vendors, and senior-level stakeholders to support seamless collaboration across all phases of event production. Working closely with UEE leadership and finance, the Assistant Director helps ensure accurate record, policy compliance, post-event reconciliation, and consistent delivery of polished, mission-aligned events that reflect the university’s values and reputation. This position has an end date of 8/31/2027, but may be renewable based upon availability of funding, work performance, and progress toward goals. Funding is expected to continue. Responsibilities Lead planning and execution for ceremonial and reputational events, including university awards programs, faculty engagement, and other events as assigned. Serve as primary project lead for assigned events, managing timelines, production schedules, budgets, task lists, approvals, and deliverables from planning through close-out. Build and maintain strong working relationships with campus partners, University services, faculty stakeholders, student organizations, vendors, and internal colleagues. Coordinate planning and post-event meetings; prepare agendas, briefings, production documents, and follow-up materials as needed. Manage event documentation, including estimates, contracts, invoices, approvals, diagrams, service requests, communications, run-of-show documents, presentations, videos, photos, and final records. Coordinate event logistics, including venue reservations, vendor contracting, transportation, security, facilities, staffing requests, student support, entertainment bookings, guest experience, and event-day operations. Support procurement, organization, and distribution of event materials, awards, recognition items, and related supplies. Provide leadership during on-site execution, including vendor coordination, volunteer management, setup oversight, guest and stakeholder experience. Submit purchase request, contracts, payment requests, and financial documentation in compliance with University, State, and internal procedures. Complete post-event reconciliation within two weeks, including budgets, schedules, documentation, invoices, event records, and lessons learned. Additional duties as assigned. Salary $75,000 annually Required Qualifications Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in event management, hospitality, operations, communications, higher education administration, or a related field. At least four years of experience in event management, hospitality, operations, advancement, higher education, or a comparable role supporting complex or high-visibility events. Demonstrated ability to manage complex event logistics, production schedules, budgets, stakeholders, vendors, and competing priorities with professionalism and discretion. Strong organizational, i