Director of Spears Events (HR Title: Meeting/Event Planner III) Job at Southern

About SMU

SMU’s more than 12,000 diverse, high-achieving students come from all 50 states and over 80 countries to take advantage of the University’s small classes, meaningful research opportunities, leadership development, community service, international study and innovative programs.

SMU serves approximately 7,000 undergraduates and 5,000 graduate students through eight degree‑granting schools: Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences, Cox School of Business, Lyle School of Engineering, Meadows School of the Arts, Simmons School of Education and Human Development, Dedman School of Law, Perkins School of Theology and Moody School of Graduate and Advanced Studies.

SMU is data driven, and its powerful supercomputing ecosystem – paired with entrepreneurial drive – creates an unrivaled environment for the University to deliver research excellence.

Now in its second century of achievement, SMU is recognized for the ways it supports students, faculty and alumni as they become ethical, enterprising leaders in their professions and communities. SMU’s relationship with Dallas – the dynamic center of one of the nation’s fastest-growing regions – offers unique learning, research, social and career opportunities that provide a launch pad for global impact.

SMU is nonsectarian in its teaching and committed to academic freedom and open inquiry.

About the Department

The William S. Spears Institute for Entrepreneurial Leadership at the SMU Cox School of Business, made possible by the largest gift from a non‑alumnus in the history of SMU, has a mission to catalyze the next generation of entrepreneurs and build a lifelong community of experience, relationships, and resources. Through our flagship programs, including the Spears LAUNCH accelerator, Spears Speaker Series, Hilltop Founders Pitch, and Spears Internships, we help student founders grow, succeed, and meet their full potential.

About the Position

This role is an on‑campus, in‑person position. Reporting to the Executive Director of the Spears Institute, the Director plays a pivotal role in positioning the Spears Institute as a leading Institute for corporate national and potentially international entrepreneurial leadership events. This individual will provide advanced event support and project management to strengthen the viability and impact of these events on entrepreneurial leadership. The Director will serve as a connector for the Spears Institute events across key areas within the Institute, the Cox School as well as the University. The scope includes flagship SMU/Cox programs such as the Dallas 100, Southwest Venture Forum and the Spears Demo Day. The Director will also manage strategic partnership events to ensure seamless execution of partnership‑related activities.

Essential Functions

• Create and execute strategies that elevate Spears Institute's reputation as a premier partner for entrepreneurship leadership events. Manage logistics for Institute events, partnership‑related events, projects and engagements.
• Strategic planning: Help create and translate strategic plans into actionable event campaigns and projects. Develop promotional plans and collateral while ensuring that all event campaigns are executed on schedule and meet quality standards. Collaborate with internal stakeholders to align all event and sponsorship initiatives.
• Event logistics: Maintain calendars, project trackers, and documentation for external events and sponsorships. Provide performance reporting to the Executive Director and identify opportunities to improve processes, workflows, and operational efficiencies.
• Cross‑functional collaboration & project management: Coordinate with internal stakeholders to align strategic partnerships with SMU Cox goals. Provide project management support for strategic initiatives and special events tied to partnerships. Identify opportunities for process improvements and implement best practices in business development/prospecting support and CRM utilization.
• Evening and weekend hours will be required to oversee events, workshops, meetings and networking engagements.
• Travel will be required for events, conferences, corporate treks and competitions.

Education and Experience

• A Bachelor’s degree is required. A Master’s degree is preferred.
• A minimum of six (6) years of work experience is required. Event management experience is desirable, as well as a background in a university setting working with students, faculty and staff.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Strong interpersonal and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate broadly across the University and develop and maintain effective relationships with a wide range of constituencies.
• Strong written communication skills.
• Strong problem‑solving skills with the ability to identify and analyze problems, as well as devise solutions.
• Strong organizational, planning and time management skills.
• Ability to execute large‑scale, complex events.
• Ability to work in a team and deliver results within a tight deadline. Resourceful and proactive.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Adobe InDesign and Canva. Familiarity with customer database management (e.g., Salesforce), internet research, electronic event management tools (e.g., Constant Contact, Vertical Response) is a plus.

Physical and Environmental Demands

• Sit for long periods of time
• Stand
• Push/pull

Deadline to Apply

March 20, 2026

EEO Statement

SMU is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, or gender identity and expression.

Benefits

SMU offers staff a broad, competitive array of health and related benefits. In addition to traditional benefits such as health, dental, and vision plans, SMU offers a wide range of wellness programs to help attract, support, and retain our employees whose work continues to make SMU an outstanding education and research institution.

SMU is committed to providing an array of retirement programs that benefit and protect you and your family throughout your working years at SMU and, if you meet SMU's retirement eligibility criteria, during your retirement years after you leave SMU.

The value of learning at SMU isn't just about preparing our students for the future. Employees have access to a wide variety of professional and personal development opportunities, including tuition benefits.

Job Details

• Primary Location: USA‑TX‑Dallas
• Job: Student Services
• Organization: Cox School of Business
• Schedule: Regular
• Shift: Staff
• Employee Status: Individual Contributor
• Job Type: Full‑time
• Job Level: Day Job
• Travel: No