Program Director
Indyhunger, Indianapolis, IN, United States
Organization Information
Spirit & 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 & Place Festival, a collaborative, multi-event program produced with community partners. Spirit & Place also supports year‑round projects that build organizational capacity and foster cross‑sector collaboration.
Job Summary Department‑Specific Responsibilities
Plans, develops, and executes events, both recurring and ad‑hoc, by managing event logistics, assisting with communication efforts, refining and tracking evaluations, monitoring the budget, and managing vendor contracts.
Assists with year‑end grant reports and works to maintain – and grow – community‑based partnerships. Chief priorities include the annual Spirit and Place Festival, Big Tent Talks, and, to a lesser degree, Civic Reflection Dialogue (CRD) sessions.
Helps sustain the Festival's reputation for excellence and contributes to Indiana University's (IU) broader mission of statewide service, student success, and transformative research through creative endeavors by grounding the work in community needs while aligning with IU's strategic priorities.
Recruits multi‑sector festival event partners and cultivates relationships.
Plans, develops, and executes events.
Provides event design coaching and other support.
Manages event budgets, vendor contracts, and festival communications.
Evaluates programming
General Responsibilities
Plans a variety of recurring and ad hoc events for the university and oversees budgets, vendor contracts, transportation, catering, signage, equipment, technology, and other event components. Coordinates event activities prior to and on the day of events.
Consults with internal and external constituencies to plan event timelines and specifications and negotiate the terms of agreements and contracts.
Works closely with vendors and staff to ensure goods and services arrive timely and in acceptable condition for events.
Interfaces with media and/or marketing and communications representatives regarding calendar of events and event publicity.
Tracks and analyzes event metrics, such as attendance, participant feedback, and expenses; monitors effectiveness and return of investment; tracks suggested event improvements for future implementation in recurring events.
Ensures events adhere to university guidelines and policies and event contracts, agreements, and specifications.
May make procedural and policy recommendations to improve operational efficiency.
May provide guidance to lower‑level Event Services Specialists; may delegate administrative tasks to Event Services Coordinators.
Qualifications Combinations of related education and experience may be considered. Education beyond the minimum required may be substituted for work experience. Work experience beyond the minimum required may be substituted for education.
EDUCATION
Required
Bachelor's degree in business, finance, public administration, or related field.
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.
Maintains a high degree of professionalism.
Demonstrates time management and priority setting skills.
Demonstrates a high commitment to quality.
Possesses flexibility to work in a fast paced, dynamic environment.
Seeks to acquire knowledge in area of specialty.
Highly thorough and dependable.
Demonstrates a high level of accuracy, even under pressure.
Working Conditions / Demands This role regularly requires the ability to effectively communicate. This role frequently requires the ability to handle equipment. This role frequently requires the ability to remain stationary and ascend/descend ladders/stairs. This role requires the ability to move objects weighing up to 25 pounds. The role requires the ability to detect items in close proximity as well as far away; discern between colors; detect objects in peripheral space of self; discern items in detail; and to have good depth perception. The person in this role must be able to perform the essential functions with or without an accommodation.
Work Location Indianapolis, Indiana
Advertised Salary $58,000 - $68,000 annually
Benefits Overview For full‑time staff employees, Indiana University offers a wide array of benefits including:
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)
Job Classification Career Level: Career
FLSA: Exempt
Job Function: Operations
Job Family: Events
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Job Summary Department‑Specific Responsibilities
Plans, develops, and executes events, both recurring and ad‑hoc, by managing event logistics, assisting with communication efforts, refining and tracking evaluations, monitoring the budget, and managing vendor contracts.
Assists with year‑end grant reports and works to maintain – and grow – community‑based partnerships. Chief priorities include the annual Spirit and Place Festival, Big Tent Talks, and, to a lesser degree, Civic Reflection Dialogue (CRD) sessions.
Helps sustain the Festival's reputation for excellence and contributes to Indiana University's (IU) broader mission of statewide service, student success, and transformative research through creative endeavors by grounding the work in community needs while aligning with IU's strategic priorities.
Recruits multi‑sector festival event partners and cultivates relationships.
Plans, develops, and executes events.
Provides event design coaching and other support.
Manages event budgets, vendor contracts, and festival communications.
Evaluates programming
General Responsibilities
Plans a variety of recurring and ad hoc events for the university and oversees budgets, vendor contracts, transportation, catering, signage, equipment, technology, and other event components. Coordinates event activities prior to and on the day of events.
Consults with internal and external constituencies to plan event timelines and specifications and negotiate the terms of agreements and contracts.
Works closely with vendors and staff to ensure goods and services arrive timely and in acceptable condition for events.
Interfaces with media and/or marketing and communications representatives regarding calendar of events and event publicity.
Tracks and analyzes event metrics, such as attendance, participant feedback, and expenses; monitors effectiveness and return of investment; tracks suggested event improvements for future implementation in recurring events.
Ensures events adhere to university guidelines and policies and event contracts, agreements, and specifications.
May make procedural and policy recommendations to improve operational efficiency.
May provide guidance to lower‑level Event Services Specialists; may delegate administrative tasks to Event Services Coordinators.
Qualifications Combinations of related education and experience may be considered. Education beyond the minimum required may be substituted for work experience. Work experience beyond the minimum required may be substituted for education.
EDUCATION
Required
Bachelor's degree in business, finance, public administration, or related field.
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.
Maintains a high degree of professionalism.
Demonstrates time management and priority setting skills.
Demonstrates a high commitment to quality.
Possesses flexibility to work in a fast paced, dynamic environment.
Seeks to acquire knowledge in area of specialty.
Highly thorough and dependable.
Demonstrates a high level of accuracy, even under pressure.
Working Conditions / Demands This role regularly requires the ability to effectively communicate. This role frequently requires the ability to handle equipment. This role frequently requires the ability to remain stationary and ascend/descend ladders/stairs. This role requires the ability to move objects weighing up to 25 pounds. The role requires the ability to detect items in close proximity as well as far away; discern between colors; detect objects in peripheral space of self; discern items in detail; and to have good depth perception. The person in this role must be able to perform the essential functions with or without an accommodation.
Work Location Indianapolis, Indiana
Advertised Salary $58,000 - $68,000 annually
Benefits Overview For full‑time staff employees, Indiana University offers a wide array of benefits including:
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)
Job Classification Career Level: Career
FLSA: Exempt
Job Function: Operations
Job Family: Events
#J-18808-Ljbffr