Specialist, Events

The University of Florida Lastinger Center for Learning’s mission is to improve the quality of teaching, learning, and childcare. We research, develop, and scale equitable educational innovations for adults and children that put all learners on trajectories for lifelong success. Specifically, the Center targets kindergarten readiness, 3rd grade reading proficiency, and algebra proficiency as critical milestones in children's educational trajectory that are predictive of success in school and life. The Center works at the nexus of research, practice, and policy to develop sustainable systems that leverage educational technologies and improve the implementation of research-based practices. Housed in one of the nation's elite public research universities, the Center operates as a dynamic, entrepreneurial workplace focused on executing against UF's service mission to strengthen the human condition and improve the quality of life. The Lastinger Center is committed to attracting, hiring, and retaining a dynamic and diverse team.

Hybrid work location policy:

Lastinger Center for Learning supports and promotes a healthy work-life balance. To achieve this, the Lastinger Center offers a flexible, hybrid work schedule that aligns with the university’s Flexibility in the Workplace Policy. Allowing employees to stagger arrival and departure times as necessary and to vary the number of workdays in the office so long as an employee’s FTE commitment is fulfilled within the university workweek. This policy also allows for occasional, incidental remote work based on individual circumstances.

Event Planning

• Collaborate with UF stakeholders to plan needs of various concurrent events (large-scale, small-scale, local, and outside of Gainesville)
• Secure event requirements such as location, catering, AV, parking, and materials
• Serve as point of contact with vendors
• Evaluates, selects and negotiates contracts and services for events
• Follow UF event policies
• Process event receipts and contracts promptly, providing required backup documentation
• Plan for guest needs such as food allergies, dietary restrictions, special needs requirements and other requests
• Assists with the development of strategies to maintain high levels of attendee satisfaction
• Maintain up-to-date planning notes that can be shared with colleagues as needed
• Create and maintain internal Lastinger events calendar
• Perform site-visits, as needed
• Supports and manages event RSVPs as necessary
• Attends events to facilitate operations and responds to emergencies or problems; ensures all aspects of events are implemented and controlled according to plans
• Communicate and facilitate UF travel policies and procedures associated with event communication
• Willingness and flexibility to adapt to frequent changes and requests

Purchasing and Processing

• Work with Business Services team to conduct event purchases such as promotional items, printed materials, facilitator supplies
• Process event receipts and contracts promptly, providing required backup documentation
• Follow UF purchasing policies

Communication

• Works with Communications team for event communications
• Sends communication to event guests and answers questions that may arise.
• Keep stakeholders and Business Services team up to date with planning progress

General Lastinger Center Office Support

• Support Lastinger Center Office Managers as needed by purchasing office supplies, accepting and processing deliveries, and providing direction for office Student Assistants

Other duties as assigned.

$55,000 - $57,500

A bachelor's degree in an appropriate area of specialization and three years of appropriate experience; or a high school diploma and seven years of appropriate experience. Appropriate college course work may substitute at an equivalent rate for the required experience

• Event planning experience
• Effective communications
• Problem solving
• Managing multiple priorities
• Flexibility and adaptability
• Accuracy and attention to detail

In order to be considered, you must upload your cover letter and resume.

Application must be submitted by 11:55 p.m. (ET) of the posting end date.