Program Director, Spirit & Place

Spirit & Place is a community initiative of Indiana University housed on the 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

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 & 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 broader mission of statewide service, student success, and transformative research.

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.
• Coordinate event activities prior to and on the day of events.
• Consult with internal and external constituencies to determine 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.
• 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 and track suggested event improvements for future implementation.
• Ensure events adhere to university guidelines and policies and 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.

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in business, finance, public administration, or related field.
• Work experience: Minimum 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.
• 3 years of applied experience in arts administration, public history, museum studies, nonprofit management, community development, or related field.
• 3 years event planning and/or project management experience.

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, handle equipment, remain stationary, ascend/descend ladders/stairs, move objects weighing up to 25 pounds, detect items in close proximity and far distance, discern colors, detect objects in peripheral space, and discern items in detail. The person in this role must be able to perform the essential functions with or without an accommodation.

Benefits Overview

• 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)

Work Location: Indianapolis, Indiana

Advertised Salary: $58,000 – $68,000 annually

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