Director, Special Events and Protocol - UC Irvine

Transform moments into meaningful, high-impact experiences at UC Irvine! As their Director of Special Events and Protocol, you'll strategize, design, and execute premier events like the Anti-Cancer Challenge, Homecoming Festival, and an exciting closing campaign celebration this October, hosting 700 guests-a thrilling opportunity to jump in right away! Engage thousands of alumni, students, and donors while working directly with UCI leadership, including the Chancellor, to create experiences that strengthen the university community and advance its mission as a healthcare powerhouse and leader in education. Guide a talented team of three, manage an $80K budget, and thrive in a supportive, creative environment with hybrid flexibility-enjoying three days on-site in Irvine, CA, each week! Ready to make a lasting impact? Apply now!

Another Source's client, University of California, Irvine, is recruiting a Director, Special Events and Protocol to join their team on-site in Irvine, California.

About UC Irvine:

As a staff member, you'll be part of a dynamic, diverse, and inclusive environment where your work makes a difference. We offer competitive benefits, professional development opportunities, and a strong commitment to work-life balance, all while being in the heart of beautiful Southern California-just minutes from the beach, hiking trails, and vibrant cultural attractions. At UCI, we value creativity, collaboration, and a passion for excellence. If you're looking for a rewarding career with purpose, this is the place for you. Join us and be part of something extraordinary!

The Role:

You'll be at the helm of a talented team- providing strategic direction to ensure incredible events are brought to life to benefit the campus community. Whether it's consulting on logistics like venue setup, vendor coordination, or ensuring top-notch communication between speakers, staff, and facility teams, your role will be essential in making every event a success. The Director, Special Events and Protocol will act as a consultant to senior management, independently developing strategic action plans for major events, and secure necessary approvals. This is your chance to work in a dynamic, creative, and high-energy environment where no two days are the same. If you're ready to turn ideas into extraordinary events, we want to hear from you!

About the Department: https://advancement.uci.edu/contact-us/

Our department is dedicated to producing high-quality, memorable events that support the university's mission, engage key stakeholders, and showcase the best of UCI. From intimate donor gatherings to large-scale campus celebrations, we bring vision, strategy, and flawless execution to every event. We thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative environment where innovation, attention to detail, and top-tier service set the stage for success. Our team works closely with university leadership, faculty, donors, and external partners to ensure every event reflects the excellence and prestige of our institution. If you're passionate about event planning, logistics, and creating impactful experiences, join us and be part of a team that turns ideas into reality!

Key Responsibilities:

Fundraising Event Management - Oversee all aspects of specialized fundraising events, including personnel and financial administration.

• Event Coordination & Execution - Manage a variety of fundraising events through subordinate staff, ensuring seamless execution from planning to completion.

• Staff Leadership & Development - Hire, train, mentor, and evaluate event staff while enforcing university policies and operational efficiency.

• Strategic Planning & Stakeholder Collaboration - Work with senior leadership, donors, volunteers, and other key stakeholders to define event budgeting policies, and logistics.

• Campus Event Consultation - Provide expert event planning guidance to campus departments, maintain university event guidelines, and ensure compliance with institutional standards.

Required Experience:

• Six years of experience in planning and implementing small and large special events and supervision of special events staff. (This includes all logistics associated with event planning and execution). Five years of supervisor/management experience.

• Strategic & Big-Picture Thinking: Ability to approach event planning and operations from a high-level perspective, ensuring alignment with broader organizational goals.

• Experience in understanding and managing the full scope of event operations, including logistics, budgeting, and resource allocation.

• Proven ability to mentor staff and cultivate a culture of strategic thinking, encouraging teams to adopt a big-picture mindset.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Proven ability to plan and execute high-profile or complex events involving multiple stakeholders.

• Demonstrated success in shifting team mindsets to embrace strategic, big-picture thinking.

• Experience using data-driven insights to refine event strategies, optimize logistics, and improve operational efficiency.

Benefits: https://hr.uci.edu/partnership/benefits/

A real "wow" about UC Irvine's benefits is the 3 weeks of vacation time per year minimum (for full-time career employees; other employment classifications may vary), 12 days of sick with unlimited accrual and 14 paid holidays per year.

Targeted salary range: $94,400 - $129,000

No relocation assistance is provided.

See the full job posting linked here: https://jobs.uci.edu/careers-home/jobs/97774?lang=en-us&previousLocale=en-US

Another Source works with their clients, on a retained project basis. We are committed to building inclusive candidate pools as we partner with hiring teams. Veterans, women, people of color, LGBTQIA+, and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply. As you read through the job posting and review the list of qualifications (required and/or preferred), please do not self-select out if you feel you do not meet every qualification. No one is 100% qualified. We encourage you to apply and share your story with us.

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