Event Planning Assistant

The successful candidate will:

• →Work with the director to coordinate the planning and execution of 20 undergraduate and graduate commencement ceremonies held across multiple venues on the University Park campus
• →Assist the director with planning and hosting the President's annual faculty/staff and student awards programs
• →Provide budget and office support for Campus and Community Events and the director, including processing invoice payments, making purchase order requests, and ordering office supplies
• →Assist with coordinating the administrative details of various Penn State policies that fall under the director
• →Manage and update content on Campus and Community Events websites
• →Help plan and implement Penn State's United Way Campaign, under general guidance from the director
• →Monitor and determine appropriate responses to communications sent to Campus and Community Events, especially during high-volume times when family members, students, faculty, staff, and alumni have questions or need assistance
• →Draft and compile correspondence, event programs, surveys, invitations, and other publications for various programs and events
• →Maintain a University-wide calendar using College Net/25 Live
• →Serve on multiple committees, as needed

The ideal candidate will:

• Have an extensive background in event planning
• Possess exceptional organizational skills and have the ability to pay attention to details
• Be able to manage multiple priorities and projects, often at the same time
• Have strong computer skills, including proficiency in Microsoft Office programs
• Have experience updating websites using WordPress or a similar Content Management System
• Be familiar with tools such as Workfront to manage and improve projects and processes and Mailchimp to create and send event invitations and communications
• Be able to work collaboratively across teams and build relationships with internal and external stakeholders
• Be a self-starter with a proactive approach to problem-solving and a strong sense of ownership
• Have the ability to adapt quickly in a dynamic environment
• Have experience in higher education or a similar complex organizational environment

As Penn State’s central public relations and marketing division, the Office of Strategic Communications is a fully integrated, award-winning, best-in-class marketing and public relations team defined by innovative strategy and breakthrough creative driven by measurable goals. We advance the University by strengthening and protecting the institution’s reputation in regional, national and international spheres of influence in ways that serve recruitment, resource and leadership goals.

Spanning Penn State’s large-scale enterprise—including campus locations across Pennsylvania, nearly 90,000 students, and an alumni base exceeding 800,000—the Office of Strategic Communications’ work encompasses all forms of communications and engagement, ranging from branding, marketing, and trademark and event management to internal communications, proactive and social media, research communications, and crisis and issues management. We’ve attracted talented and diverse team members from private and public sectors at all levels of our division, giving us the ability to build a strategic program of excellence recognized throughout the University.

Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988, Penn State publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report (ASR). The ASR includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus security, such as those concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. The ASR is available for review here.

Penn State is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact 814-865-1473.

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