Marketing Event Planner

About the position

Grand Canyon Education (GCE) is an educational service company that provides an array of support services in the post-secondary education sector. Formerly part of Grand Canyon University (GCU), GCE still supports and works closely with GCU. GCE designs and develops educational programs for GCU and other traditional campus institutions, as well as online partner institutions at the undergraduate, graduate and doctoral levels. Grand Canyon Education is currently seeking a Marketing Event Planner for our Traditional Ground Campus. This position has responsibility for handling all aspects of an event/meeting requested by the various constituents in GCE for whom they serve. The event planner provides advice on how to best design the event to achieve the required business goal. Position will require occasional weekends, holidays, evenings and/or early mornings.

Responsibilities

• Becomes a strategic partner with the enrollment division(s)’ management and representatives to understand strategic business objectives and vision and advises, recommends, and identifies potential opportunities for events that will positively impact business goals.
• Ensures marketing’s event planning services are fully integrated into the Enrollment Divisions’ teams for key events.
• Provides overall event strategy and choreography for events.
• Provides ideas and insight on best ways to market events and works with others in the marketing department to execute approved ideas.
• Gathers information on each project to achieve quality event productions managing all aspects of the event from location and food to marketing materials and displays.
• Conducts research, site visitation and finds resources to help staff make decisions about event possibilities.
• Oversees launches of events and ensures flawless execution; coordinates and monitors event timelines and ensures deadlines are met.
• Maintains logistical accountability of events.
• Ensures compatibility of event or project plans to overall company and business strategy; proposes new ideas to improve the event planning and implementation process.
• Evaluates event effectiveness and creates ROI metrics for management decision making.
• Leads various event planning meetings with pertinent staff including EVPs.
• Provides projections of potential costs and benefits of events through careful analysis.
• Plans and executes all logistical aspects of internal and external events.
• Researches site locations and conducts site visits/inspections for suitability and capability of vendors.
• Prepares requests for vendor bids and reviews bids for competitiveness; negotiates site and service contracts for facilities, signage, security, transportation, lodging, food, entertainment and related activities.
• Ensures compliance to budget, expenses and reconciliations on a per event and per team basis.
• Develops and implements project and communications plans, identifies problems and focuses on bringing issues to resolution and ensures development of contingency plans and arrangements.
• Proactively escalates potential client or program issues to management for timely resolution.
• Interacts with various management levels and delivers presentations on project goals and plans, including progress reports.
• Ensures adherence to company strategy and initiatives, corporate brand and messaging standards; collaborates with subject matter experts to ensure accuracy and compliance.
• Plans successful outcomes and ensures all details are arranged proactively and within timelines.
• Travels as needed to provide on-site assistance for assigned events; assists with managing on-site production and clean-up for events as necessary.
• Reviews UDRs performance and competitors where applicable.
• Ensures all events planned are entered into event database.
• Arranges events on short notice ensuring the same delivery of quality and service.
• Provides unparalleled client service and experience.
• Responsible for creation of training materials in video and written form to ensure UDRs are following the intended event set-up and branding standards for the university.
• Produces reporting and analysis for assigned verticals.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in hospitality management, communications, public relations, marketing or a related discipline from a regionally accredited institution.
• Minimum of 3 years' progressively responsible work experience planning and organizing large or complex events and trade shows, preferably in a university or college environment.
• An equivalent combination of education, training and relevant work experience from which comparable knowledge, skills and abilities have been achieved may be substituted upon supervisor’s approval.
• Proven advanced event planning and organizing/project management skills for large and complex events as well as smaller venues.
• Highly capable of successfully coordinating multiple projects simultaneously within budget and within designated timelines.
• Excellent written and verbal communications and proofreading skills with a good command of the English language.
• High degree of professionalism with ability to work under stressful situations and tight deadlines.
• Creative, detail oriented and a resourceful problem solver.
• Critical thinking and analytical skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and relationship building skills and ability to work with diverse groups of individuals.
• Extremely organized, flexible and have the ability to continually reset priorities.
• Proactive with outstanding customer service skills.
• Ability to effectively engage others who support key events and develop collaborative teams.
• Knowledge of social media platforms.
• Proficient with MS Office software programs including PowerPoint, Word and Excel.
• Proficient with event management software or event booking software.
• Must be willing to occasionally work weekends, holidays, evenings and/or early mornings as needed.
• Up to 25% travel, including potential overnight travel, which could include weekends.
• Must be able to pass pre-employment background investigations.

Benefits

• Provide a positive example to students by supporting the University’s Doctrinal Statement, Ethical Position Statement and Mission of Grand Canyon University.