Director of Hospitality and Campus Events

POSITION SUMMARY:

Represents the President and Concordia Seminary in providing hospitality to members of the campus community and campus visitors by coordinating all aspects of events and/or meetings held at Concordia Seminary, utilizing both internal resources such as technology, maintenance, guest housing, food service and student workers, and also external resources when necessary.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Develops and oversees the overall program of Seminary hospitality and event management
• Coordinates all aspects of event planning with both external and internal parties requesting events to ensure that all event needs are met, including event scheduling/reservations, event set-up, scheduling/hiring student labor, and other peripheral needs.
• Communicates in a clear and timely way to all parties during the planning of events.
• Coordinates third party event needs with campus facilities staff and food service vendor.
• Performs invoicing and other clerical duties surrounding events.
• Oversees the coordination of on campus guest housing reservations.
• Oversees the coordination of campus tours.
• Recruits and oversees pool of student workers for campus events and hospitality.
• Is present as, or ensures the presence of, an event host, when relevant.
• Communicates proactively to student recruitment and to seminary advancement regarding all visitors coming to campus and facilitates efforts to engage visitors by these departments.
• Apprises campus facilities department and seminary administration of the conditions and any needed repairs or improvements in campus guest housing or meeting facilities.
• Alongside the Executive Assistant to the President:
  • Provides special emphasis hospitality for the Board of Regents.
  • Assists the President in graciously hosting guests, including international visitors, arranging for gifts, meals, and local experiences.
  • Works with President’s wife to schedule, plan, and publicize regular hospitality events on campus, including at the President’s house, and the annual President’s Christmas party (at off-site venue).
• Ensures that visitors feel welcomed and cared for by Concordia Seminary and leave the campus with an enriched understanding of Concordia Seminary’s mission.

• High School/GED required; Bachelor’s degree preferred.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office.
• Previous Event Planning experience
• Proficiency in web-based event software is preferred but not required
• Strong written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills, with attention to detail
• Strong organizational and time management skills
• Excellent customer service and problem-solving skills
• Ability to work successfully both independently and within a team environment
• Demonstrated ability to manage confidential information
• Previous experience in administrative support, preferably in a customer service-oriented atmosphere
• Love for people and for well-run events

POSITIONS SUPERVISED:

• Student General Labor force (approximately 3 to 5 employees)
• Student Event Support (Bartenders and Ushers)

REPORTING AND COLLABORATION

• Reports to the Executive Assistant to the President
• Communicates regarding all campus visitors to the Enrollment and Advancement Departments
• Collaborates in hospitality and campus events work with Executive Assistant to the President, key Enrollment and Advancement staff, Director of Campus Services, and the President’s Wife.
• Having shifted from Campus Services to the Office of the President in 2024, this position continues to be supported by the Director of Campus Services with (a) initial training, (b) consultation and institutional memory, (c) direct assistance with the major annual events of Orientation Week and Opening Service, Theological Symposium, Call Day, and Commencement, and (d) temporary assumption of campus events duties in case of a vacancy in this position.