Program Director (Event Services Specialist)
Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN, United States
SPIRIT AND PLACE (UA-SNPL-IUINA)
Spirit and Place is a community initiative of Indiana University housed on the Indiana University Indianapolis (IUI) campus that uses the arts, humanities, and religion to strengthen civic life in Central Indiana. The organization convenes partners from a wide range of sectors to create programs that encourage reflection, conversation, and connection. Its primary activity is the annual Spirit and Place Festival, a collaborative, multi‑event program produced with community partners. Spirit and Place also supports year‑round projects that build organizational capacity and foster cross‑sector collaboration.
Department‑Specific Responsibilities
Plan, develop, and execute events, both recurring and ad‑hoc, managing event logistics, assisting with communication efforts, refining and tracking evaluations, monitoring the budget, and managing vendor contracts.
Assist with year‑end grant reports and work to maintain—and grow—community‑based partnerships, focusing on the annual Spirit and Place Festival, Big Tent Talks, and, to a lesser degree, Civic Reflection Dialogue (CRD) sessions.
Help sustain the Festival’s reputation for excellence and contribute to Indiana University’s broader mission of statewide service, student success, and transformative research through creative endeavors, grounding the work in community needs while aligning with IU’s strategic priorities.
Recruit multi‑sector festival event partners and cultivate relationships.
Provide event design coaching and other support.
Manage event budgets, vendor contracts, and festival communications.
Evaluate programming.
General Responsibilities
Plan a variety of recurring and ad‑hoc events for the university and oversee budgets, vendor contracts, transportation, catering, signage, equipment, technology, and other event components.
Consult with internal and external constituencies to plan event timelines and specifications and negotiate the terms of agreements and contracts.
Work closely with vendors and staff to ensure goods and services arrive timely and in acceptable condition for events.
Interface with media and/or marketing and communications representatives regarding calendar of events and event publicity.
Track and analyze event metrics, such as attendance, participant feedback, and expenses; monitor effectiveness and return of investment; track suggested event improvements for future implementation in recurring events.
Ensure events adhere to university guidelines and policies and to event contracts, agreements, and specifications.
Make procedural and policy recommendations to improve operational efficiency.
Provide guidance to lower‑level Event Services Specialists; delegate administrative tasks to Event Services Coordinators.
Education Required
Bachelor’s degree in business, finance, public administration, or related field.
Preferred
Advanced degree in business, finance, public administration, or related field.
Combinations of related education and experience may be considered. Education beyond the minimum required may be substituted for work experience, and work experience beyond the minimum required may be substituted for education.
Work Experience Required
2 years in events, hospitality, or related field.
Preferred
3 years of professional experience in arts and cultural programming, public humanities, community and/or multi‑faith engagement, or a related field.
3 years of applied experience in arts administration, public history, museum studies, nonprofit management, community development, or a related field.
3 years event planning and/or project management experience.
Skills Required
Proficient communication skills.
High degree of professionalism.
Time‑management and priority‑setting skills.
Commitment to quality.
Flexibility to work in a fast‑paced, dynamic environment.
Enthusiasm to acquire knowledge in area of specialty.
Thoroughness and dependability.
Accuracy, even under pressure.
Physical requirements: ability to effectively communicate, handle equipment, remain stationary, ascend/descend ladders or stairs, move objects up to 25 pounds, detect items in close and distant proximity, discern colors and details, and have good depth perception. Essential functions can be performed with or without an accommodation.
Indianapolis, Indiana
$58,000 - $68,000 annually
Benefits
Comprehensive medical and dental insurance
Health savings account with generous IU contributions
Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
Basic group life insurance paid by IU
Voluntary supplemental life, long‑term disability, critical illness, and supplemental accidental death & dismemberment insurance
Base retirement plan with generous IU contributions, subject to vesting
Voluntary supplemental retirement plan options
Tuition subsidy for employees and family members taking IU courses
10 paid holidays plus a paid winter break each year
Generous paid time off plans
Paid leave for new parents and IU‑sponsored volunteer events
Employee assistance program (EAP)
Indiana University is an equal‑opportunity employer and provider of ADA services and prohibits discrimination in hiring. See Indiana University Notice of Non‑Discrimination here which includes contact information.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Spirit and Place is a community initiative of Indiana University housed on the Indiana University Indianapolis (IUI) campus that uses the arts, humanities, and religion to strengthen civic life in Central Indiana. The organization convenes partners from a wide range of sectors to create programs that encourage reflection, conversation, and connection. Its primary activity is the annual Spirit and Place Festival, a collaborative, multi‑event program produced with community partners. Spirit and Place also supports year‑round projects that build organizational capacity and foster cross‑sector collaboration.
Department‑Specific Responsibilities
Plan, develop, and execute events, both recurring and ad‑hoc, managing event logistics, assisting with communication efforts, refining and tracking evaluations, monitoring the budget, and managing vendor contracts.
Assist with year‑end grant reports and work to maintain—and grow—community‑based partnerships, focusing on the annual Spirit and Place Festival, Big Tent Talks, and, to a lesser degree, Civic Reflection Dialogue (CRD) sessions.
Help sustain the Festival’s reputation for excellence and contribute to Indiana University’s broader mission of statewide service, student success, and transformative research through creative endeavors, grounding the work in community needs while aligning with IU’s strategic priorities.
Recruit multi‑sector festival event partners and cultivate relationships.
Provide event design coaching and other support.
Manage event budgets, vendor contracts, and festival communications.
Evaluate programming.
General Responsibilities
Plan a variety of recurring and ad‑hoc events for the university and oversee budgets, vendor contracts, transportation, catering, signage, equipment, technology, and other event components.
Consult with internal and external constituencies to plan event timelines and specifications and negotiate the terms of agreements and contracts.
Work closely with vendors and staff to ensure goods and services arrive timely and in acceptable condition for events.
Interface with media and/or marketing and communications representatives regarding calendar of events and event publicity.
Track and analyze event metrics, such as attendance, participant feedback, and expenses; monitor effectiveness and return of investment; track suggested event improvements for future implementation in recurring events.
Ensure events adhere to university guidelines and policies and to event contracts, agreements, and specifications.
Make procedural and policy recommendations to improve operational efficiency.
Provide guidance to lower‑level Event Services Specialists; delegate administrative tasks to Event Services Coordinators.
Education Required
Bachelor’s degree in business, finance, public administration, or related field.
Preferred
Advanced degree in business, finance, public administration, or related field.
Combinations of related education and experience may be considered. Education beyond the minimum required may be substituted for work experience, and work experience beyond the minimum required may be substituted for education.
Work Experience Required
2 years in events, hospitality, or related field.
Preferred
3 years of professional experience in arts and cultural programming, public humanities, community and/or multi‑faith engagement, or a related field.
3 years of applied experience in arts administration, public history, museum studies, nonprofit management, community development, or a related field.
3 years event planning and/or project management experience.
Skills Required
Proficient communication skills.
High degree of professionalism.
Time‑management and priority‑setting skills.
Commitment to quality.
Flexibility to work in a fast‑paced, dynamic environment.
Enthusiasm to acquire knowledge in area of specialty.
Thoroughness and dependability.
Accuracy, even under pressure.
Physical requirements: ability to effectively communicate, handle equipment, remain stationary, ascend/descend ladders or stairs, move objects up to 25 pounds, detect items in close and distant proximity, discern colors and details, and have good depth perception. Essential functions can be performed with or without an accommodation.
Indianapolis, Indiana
$58,000 - $68,000 annually
Benefits
Comprehensive medical and dental insurance
Health savings account with generous IU contributions
Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
Basic group life insurance paid by IU
Voluntary supplemental life, long‑term disability, critical illness, and supplemental accidental death & dismemberment insurance
Base retirement plan with generous IU contributions, subject to vesting
Voluntary supplemental retirement plan options
Tuition subsidy for employees and family members taking IU courses
10 paid holidays plus a paid winter break each year
Generous paid time off plans
Paid leave for new parents and IU‑sponsored volunteer events
Employee assistance program (EAP)
Indiana University is an equal‑opportunity employer and provider of ADA services and prohibits discrimination in hiring. See Indiana University Notice of Non‑Discrimination here which includes contact information.
#J-18808-Ljbffr