Education and Training Jobs in Bossier City, LA

Company Description

The Director of Event Planning and Graduate Engagement is a highly responsible position dealing with university and Foundation leadership, requiring consistent professionalism and effective communication.

The position will have a dual reporting line with the event portion of the position reporting to the Chief of Staff, Communications and Government Affairs and the graduate engagement reporting to Vice President for Development at the LSUHS Foundation.

The event portion of the responsibilities involves managing all institutional events to include: commencement ceremonies in May and August, White Coat Ceremony for MD’s and PA’s, Graduate Research Day, designated retirement receptions for high level and/or long tenured faculty or administrators, milestone events for degree programs and/or schools, celebratory events due to high level recognition of the institution, a school or individual, mini-med, Preview Days for Schools, etc.  Additionally, event planning guidance and execution will be provided for department-level events.

The graduate engagement portion of the responsibilities involves coordinating alumni engagement for LSU Health Shreveport’s residency and basic science graduate programs. The institution has forty-seven accredited residency and fellowship programs and several PhD and Master’s tracks in the School of Graduate Studies. The LSU Health Sciences Foundation has traditionally managed LSU Health Medical Alumni affairs and assisted with alumni programming for the School of Health Professions and Sciences. This new shared position will, for the first time, extend the Foundation’s alumni engagement services to LSU Health Shreveport’s residency and basic science graduate programs. 

Position will involve evening and weekend hours.  

Regular attendance is required to perform the functions of this position.

Incumbent must understand that they are the university/Foundation representative with those they serve requiring the utmost professionalism in conduct and appearance.

Essential Position Functions and Duties

45% - Event Planning

• Consultation with clients to understand the scope and objectives of the event and to determine the optimal location on campus for the event.
• Reserve event location or locations.
• Plan all aspects of the event to include budget, timeline, venue, seating, menu, guest list, audiovisual needs, signage needs, parking, etc. 
• Coordinate event logistics to include IT, UPD, environmental services being onsite, delivery of tables, chairs, tablecloths, florals, food, drink, etc.
• Timely engagement of LSUHS IT and/or audiovisual staff as needed for the event.
• Timely engagement of Medical and Strategic Communication for needed signage, invitations, and directional signage.
• Timely engagement of appropriate parties for any required contracts or agreements
• Timely engagement of Communications and Public Affairs for internal and/or external marketing of event
• Have access to travel schedules of all presenters to be certain of their availability at the time they are scheduled to appear/speak at event.
• Ensure all event operations are handled in a timely and efficient manner. A standardized event-planning document should be used for all events to avoid overlooking important aspects. A post-event document should be developed to allow for analysis of events to determine if they met goals and objectives, including the budget.
• Supervise staff involved in the execution of the event, including custodial staff, caterers, etc.

45% - Graduate Engagement

• Plan residency program and graduate school alumni programming that supports the school’s strategic priorities and aims to increase alumni engagement and gift participation, targeting engagement and relational stewardship.
• Ensure accurate and complete residency program and graduate school alumni database records by capturing relevant contact, biographical, and career information through alumni communication vehicles and in-house research.
• Establish and build relationships with residency program and graduate school alumni through reunions and national conference events, as well as regular communication via direct contact, email, website, social media, etc. 
• Collaborate closely with development colleagues to increase residency program and graduate school alumni support, identify and qualify prospects for giving, communicate development-related interactions via contact reports, and attend prospect management meetings
• In consultation with the LSU Health Shreveport Communications Office, develop a communications engagement strategy which may include print, websites, email, social media, etc.
• Collaborate with Foundation colleagues to establish a strategic plan for the department-based residency program alumni annual fund, ensuring it aligns with overall Institutional fundraising goals and maintains a cohesive and consistent message.

Qualifications

Minimum

• A two-year degree with six years of proven experience in event planning for large events (minimum 500 attendees), plus proven experience in strong relationship building and management.  
• Bachelor’s Degree or Industry Certification from an accredited university, preferably in event management, hospitality, communications, project management, and/or a related field, with a minimum of five years of proven event planning and relationship management experience.
• MS Office Proficiency
• Exceptional organization and time management skills to plan and execute all aspects of an event efficiently, within set deadlines and budget.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills to effectively liaise with staff, vendors, stakeholders involved in graduate medical education, including residents/fellows and their program directors and GME office staff.
• Possess proven creativity to design and implement high-quality, unique events based on client input and budget
• Possess proven ability to compile, maintain and utilize data to enhance relationship between LSUHS Foundation and LSUHS residents and fellows (GME).

Preferred Qualificaitons

• A four year degree with five years of proven experience in executing multiple, large events (1,000+) in a short timeframe among highly educated professionals. Experience in relationship building with highly educated individuals in an academic setting.

Additional Position Information

PSN/PER Number: PSN 59661/PER 2809

Salary Range: $60,000 - $75,000  

Primary Location: Shreveport, LA (On-Site)

About the School/Department

he LSU Systems Office has provided LSU Health-Shreveport employees with excellent benefit options designed with you and your dependents in mind. Our Benefits Section is available between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, to help answer any questions you might have about these benefits.

• Salary is commensurate with experience and training
• Generous Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance
• Flexible Spending Account
• Optional Retirement Plans

LSU Health is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Special Instructions to Applicants

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