Assistant Director for Admission Events (HR Title : Meeting / Event Planner II) Job

Job Description - Assistant Director for Admission Events (HR Title : Meeting / Event Planner II) (DIV00000222)

Overview

Assistant Director for Admission Events (HR Title : Meeting / Event Planner II) - ( DIV00000222 )

About SMU

SMU’s more than 12,000 diverse, high-achieving students come from all 50 states and over 80 countries to take advantage of the University’s small classes, meaningful research opportunities, leadership development, community service, international study and innovative programs.

SMU is data driven, and its powerful supercomputing ecosystem – paired with entrepreneurial drive – creates an unrivaled environment for the University to deliver research excellence.

Now in its second century of achievement, SMU is recognized for the ways it supports students, faculty and alumni as they become ethical, enterprising leaders in their professions and communities. SMU’s relationship with Dallas – the dynamic center of one of the nation’s fastest-growing regions – offers unique learning, research, social and career opportunities that provide a launch pad for global impact.

SMU is nonsectarian in its teaching and committed to academic freedom and open inquiry.

About the Position

This role is an on-campus, in-person position.

The Assistant Director for Admission Events plays a critical role in the Office of Undergraduate Admission at Southern Methodist University (SMU). This position is responsible for planning, coordinating, and executing a wide range of events aimed at engaging prospective students and their families. The Assistant Director will oversee the planning and logistics for 8 unique events (approximately 75 admission events) annually, which may include open houses, high school counselor fly-in events, admitted student receptions, and special programs for various constituencies. The Assistant Director will collaborate with other teams within the Office of Admission and across the university to ensure that all events run smoothly, promote SMU’s unique culture, and meet the university\'s enrollment goals.

Essential Functions

• Event Planning & Coordination : Plan and execute large-scale recruitment events, yield programs, and admission-related activities. Extremely high level of project management and time sensitivity needed, logistical aspects of events including venue selection, catering, transportation, AV needs, and event materials. Oversee event registration processes. Coordinate with vendors, faculty, etc.
• Strategic Event Planning : Collaborate with the Director of Admission Student Experience and other senior staff to align event strategy with the Office of Admission’s broader goals. Analyze data and attendee feedback to assess the effectiveness of each event, making adjustments for future programs. Develop new event strategies to engage prospective students and promote the SMU brand.
• Customer Service and Event Support : Provide exceptional customer service to event attendees, answering questions and addressing concerns in a professional and timely manner. Serve as the primary point of contact for all event-related inquiries and troubleshoot event-day issues as they arise.
• Budget Management : Manage event budgets, ensuring that all programs are executed within financial parameters while maintaining high-quality standards. Monitor and track event expenditures, working with the Director to ensure fiscal responsibility.
• Collaboration and Outreach : Partner with academic departments, student organizations, faculty, and other campus offices to ensure event programs are comprehensive and inclusive of SMU's resources. Maintain relationships with prospective students and families, helping to build a sense of community and commitment to the university.

Qualifications

Education and Experience :

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities :

Physical and Environmental Demands :

Deadline to Apply :

Priority consideration may be given to the submissions received by September 23, 2025.

EEO Statement :

SMU will not discriminate in any program or activity on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, or gender identity and expression. The Executive Director for Access and Equity / Title IX Coordinator is designated to handle inquiries regarding nondiscrimination policies and may be reached at the Perkins Administration Building, Room 204, 6425 Boaz Lane, Dallas, TX 75205, 214-768-3601, accessequity@smu.edu .

SMU offers staff a broad, competitive array of health and related benefits. In addition to traditional benefits such as health, dental, and vision plans, SMU offers a wide range of wellness programs to help attract, support, and retain our employees whose work continues to make SMU an outstanding education and research institution.

SMU is committed to providing an array of retirement programs that benefit and protect you and your family throughout your working years at SMU and, if you meet SMU\'s retirement eligibility criteria, during your retirement years after you leave SMU.

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