Overview
Position Title: Event Planner, Sr
Location: Las Cruces | Department: 522000-CORPORATE RELATIONS & CAREER EVENTS | Employee Classification: Event Planner, Sr | Appointment: 1.0 FTE | Exempt
Summary: Bring Careers & Communities Together! Do you thrive on creating seamless, memorable events that connect students, employers, and the community? We’re seeking an energetic Senior Event Planner to lead the planning and execution of career fairs, employer engagement programs, and outreach events that make a real impact. From managing budgets and coordinating vendors to ensuring every detail of event set-up shines, you’ll be at the center of building opportunities and experiences that matter. If you’re a detail-oriented problem solver who loves turning ideas into action, this role is your chance to shine!
Key Responsibilities
- Event Planning & Coordination: Plans, coordinates, and executes career-related programming and community engagement events, including large-scale career fairs.
- Budget & Vendor Management: Ensures all events are delivered within established budgetary constraints and oversees logistical details such as scheduling, registration, vendor coordination, and participant communications.
- Administrative & Operational Support: Responds to inquiries, researches, and resolves issues related to event operations and transactions; serves as liaison with internal and external stakeholders; develops and maintains event documentation, tracking systems, and reports.
- On-Site Event Management: Directs event set-up, technical requirements, food service, facilities coordination; provides hands-on support during events; troubleshoots issues in real time.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Knowledge: Meeting and event planning principles, conference facilities, technology, finance, budgeting, purchasing principles, contract documents, marketing strategies, organizational procedures.
- Skills: Strong interpersonal and communication skills; ability to organize resources and establish priorities.
- Abilities: Data analysis and reporting; financial analysis and forecasting; strategic planning; contractual negotiations; written communication; problem solving; project prioritization.
Required Education, Experience, Certification/License
- Education: Bachelor’s degree in a related field.
- Experience: Three (3) years of experience directly related to standard duties.
- Equivalency: An Associate’s degree with five (5) years of related experience; or seven (7) years of related experience may substitute for the Bachelor’s degree.
- Certification/License: None specified.
Job Duties and Responsibilities
The Senior Event Planner designs, establishes, and oversees the integrated logistical and administrative support needs of career and community engagement events. This position is responsible for planning and executing a wide range of programming, including career fairs, employer engagement activities, career-related workshops, and community outreach initiatives.
- Event Planning & Coordination
- Administrative & Operational Support
- On-Site Event Management
Preferred Qualifications
- Strong organizational and project management skills with attention to detail.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities under tight deadlines.
- Excellent communication and problem-solving abilities.
- Experience in event planning, coordination, or related administrative functions preferred.
- Ability to work collaboratively with students, staff, employers, and community partners.
Special Requirements
- Flexible hours during high peak event season
- Yearly conference attendance
Department Contact
Patricia Leyba, 575-646-3122, pleyba@nmsu.edu
Contingent Upon Funding
Contingent upon funding
Bargaining Unit Eligibility
This is NOT a bargaining unit position with AFSCME.
Standard Work Schedule
Standard (M-F, 8-5)
Working Conditions and Physical Effort
Environment: Work is normally performed in a typical interior/office work environment.
Physical Effort: No or very limited physical effort required.
Lifting Requirements: Requires handling of average-weight objects up to 10 pounds or some standing or walking.
Risk: No or very limited exposure to physical risk.