ArtCenter College of Design is searching for an experienced Events and Engagement Specialist, Marketing and Communications to join our team.
The salary range for this position: $38.50 - 43.95 per hour (7-hour workday)
Salary Disclaimer: The official salary range for this position is the range posted on the ArtCenter College of Design Careers website. ArtCenter is not responsible for inaccurate or unauthorized salary information published by third-party job boards. Hourly positions are based on a 35 hour work week.
Final salary is based on education, experience, skills relevant to the role, and internal equity.
About ArtCenter
Founded in 1930 and located in Pasadena, California, ArtCenter College of Design is a global leader in art and design education and has had an international reputation for its rigorous, transdisciplinary curriculum, faculty of professionals, strong ties to industry, and commitment to socially responsible design. ArtCenter is a private nonprofit fully accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC).
Every position at ArtCenter plays an important part in carrying out the cultural values, goals, strategic vision, and mission of the College. This includes upholding and cultivating an inclusive, respectful, and welcoming environment where everyone feels a sense of belonging.
Reporting to the director, Special Events, the Events and Engagement Specialist collaborates with campus partners to support the planning, promotion, coordination, and execution of the College's signature events. The incumbent contributes to the successful delivery of high-profile events that strengthen the College's brand, advance strategic vision and plans, support strategic priorities, and foster meaningful engagement with internal and external audiences. The incumbent also supports venue rental sales, marketing and operations, public event promotion, and continuous improvement of event planning policies, processes and experiences.
This is a full-time position with a schedule of Monday through Friday, 8:30 to 4:30 p.m. The position is eligible for flexible scheduling and can be performed, remotely, hybrid or combination or required as a condition of employment. The college reserves the right to modify schedules as needed to meet the business needs with appropriate notice. Maybe required to work nights and weekends to staff events.
Essential Functions
Institutional Event Planning and Coordination — 40%
- Coordinate the planning and execution of assigned on-campus and off-site signature events, including orientation, graduation, Grad Show, Board meetings, donor and government events, community celebrations, and other high-profile College events.
- Develop and maintain event project plans, production schedules, timelines, run-of-show documents, floor plans, and event checklists.
- Coordinate event logistics including venues, catering, audio/visual services, signage, registration, transportation, accessibility, security, volunteers and event materials.
- Serve as a primary point of contact for assigned events, collaborating with campus partners, vendors, sponsors, and service providers to ensure successful event delivery.
- Build and maintain collaborative relationships with faculty, staff, executive leadership, vendors, sponsors, community partners, and external clients to support successful event outcomes.
- Support executive-level events involving the President, Board of Trustees, donors, government officials, and distinguished guests while ensuring appropriate protocol and a high-quality guest experience.
- Support speakers, VIP guests, volunteers, and participants throughout the event lifecycle.
- Assist with event budgets, purchasing, invoicing, and post-event reconciliation.
- Support on-site event operations, troubleshooting issues and ensuring a seamless attendee experience.
- Serve as a brand steward by ensuring College events reflect ArtCenter's visual identity, messaging, hospitality standards, and commitment to delivering exceptional attendee experiences.
Event Engagement, Marketing and Venue Rentals — 35%
- Collaborate with Marketing and Communications to develop and implement promotional strategies for signature and public-facing events.
- Coordinate event marketing timelines and support content development across web, email, social media, campus communications, and event calendars.
- Support initiatives that increase awareness, attendance, and community engagement through flagship College events.
- Assist in marketing the College's event and meeting spaces to external organizations, community partners, and businesses.
- Respond to venue rental inquiries, coordinate site visits, and support client communications throughout the booking process.
- Maintain venue rental marketing materials, website content, and promotional resources.
- Identify opportunities to increase awareness, utilization and revenue generated through campus event spaces and locations.
- Support the delivery of event experiences that strengthen ArtCenter's reputation, celebrate the creative community, and foster meaningful connections with prospective students, alumni, donors, industry partners, and the public.
Event Strategy and Operations— 20%
- Contribute to the development and implementation of College-wide event strategies that strengthen the College's reputation, support enrollment and advancement objectives, and enhance community engagement.
- Participate in event planning meetings, post-event evaluations, and operational debriefs.
- Recommend improvements to event workflows, operational processes, attendee experiences, and service delivery.
- Develop and maintain event planning resources, templates, operational procedures, and best practices.
- Analyze attendance, audience engagement, venue utilization, participant feedback, and operational outcomes
- Support the implementation and effective use of event management, registration, CRM, and project management platforms to improve planning, communication, and reporting.
- Ensure compliance with institutional policies, safety protocols, accessibility standards, and applicable event-related procedures.
Other Duties— 5%
- Maintain memberships, professional engagement, and active involvement in applicable professional organizations.
- Serve on educational or College-wide committees, work groups, task forces, and/or councils.Other duties as assigned.
Required Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Communications, Event Management, Hospitality, Business, or a related field from an accredited college or university, or any equivalent combination of training and experience.
- Four or more years of professional experience in event planning, event management, marketing, communications, hospitality, or related fields.
- Experience coordinating complex, multi-stakeholder events from planning through execution.
- Experience supporting executive-level, ceremonial, protocol, or VIP events.
- Strong project management and organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
- Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
- Demonstrated ability to build collaborative relationships across diverse stakeholder groups.
- Experience coordinating vendors, venues, contracts, and event logistics.
- Experience supporting event marketing and promotional activities across digital and traditional communication channels.
- Familiarity with event registration, CRM, project management, and collaboration software.
- Knowledge of event planning best practices, customer service principles, accessibility requirements, and risk management.
- Ability to analyze event outcomes and apply insights to improve future planning and execution.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Excel, Word, PowerPoint) and Adobe Acrobat/Adobe Sign
- Ability to handle confidential information with tact and discretion and recognize the confidential nature of ArtCenter business.
- Demonstrated experience in cultivating an inclusive, respectful, and welcoming environment within ArtCenter's diverse community of faculty, staff, students, visitors, and external partners.
- Ability to enforce, follow, and implement institutional policies and procedures.
- Ability to work evenings and weekends as required to support College events.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience in higher education, arts and culture, nonprofit, or creative organizations.
- Experience supporting venue rentals, conference services, or external partnerships.
- Experience with event registration, ticketing, or event management platforms.
- Familiarity with event budgeting, reporting, and analytics.
- Knowledge of accessibility standards, event safety practices, and protocol for executive or ceremonial events.
Diversity Statement
ArtCenter is fully committed to fostering a culture that values diversity, equity, inclusion, access and belonging not only in vision but in practice. Our path forward is predicated on our belief that multiple points of view, life experiences, ethnicities, cultures and belief systems are essential to academic and creative excellence. We strive to learn more about difference while respecting the rich diversity in our world, attending to important questions about racial injustice and decolonizing our curriculum. Our campus environment must be vigilant in supporting the full participation of students, faculty, and staff of every race, color, ethnicity, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, marital status, religion, sexual orientation, age, disability, veteran status, socioeconomic status and political viewpoint.
Equal Opportunity Employer
ArtCenter is committed to a policy of equal employment opportunity and does not discriminate against its employees or applicants on the basis of race (including hair texture and protective hairstyle), color, religion (includes religious dress and grooming practices), sex/gender (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, and/or related medical conditions), gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, medical condition (genetic characteristics, cancer, or a record or history of cancer), military or veteran status, national origin, ancestry, disability (mental and physical, including HIV/AIDS, cancer, and genetic characteristics), genetic information, request for family care or medical leave, age (over 40), criminal background (Fair Chance Act), reproductive health decision-making, off-duty and off-premises cannabis use, or any other actual or perceived characteristic protected by applicable state or federal law. Equal employment opportunity is extended to all persons in all aspects of the employer-employee relationship, including without limitation, recruitment, hiring, upgrading, learning and professional development, promotion, compensation, benefits, leave of absence, transfer, discipline, layoff, recall and termination. This commitment applies to all persons involved in the operations of ArtCenter and prohibits unlawful discrimination by any employee of ArtCenter. Applicants who wish to request an accommodation for a disability may contact the Office of Employee Experience and Engagement at (626) 396-2470.
Applicant Rights (Prior Cannabis Use)
ArtCenter will not request information from an applicant relating to the applicant’s prior use of cannabis. ArtCenter will not use information obtained from a criminal history about an applicant or employee’s prior cannabis use, unless ArtCenter is permitted to consider that information under applicable law.
Employment At-Will
All employment with ArtCenter is for an unspecified term and is “at-will.” Employees are free to resign at any time, with or without reason, and with or without prior notice. Similarly, ArtCenter has the right to terminate the employment relationship at any time, with or without cause, and with or without prior notice. This “at-will” employment, which includes the College’s right to transfer, discipline, demote, or change the conditions of employment with or without cause and with or without prior notice, cannot be modified, amended or waived by any oral or implied agreement, and may be modified or altered only by an express individualized written employment agreement signed by both the employee and the College president
ArtCenter Employees have a Mandatory Duty to Report
All employees who know or have reason to know of allegations or acts that violate ArtCenter’s Title IX Policy prohibiting discrimination, harassment, retaliation, sexual harassment, sexual misconduct, sexual violence, dating violence, and stalking shall promptly inform the , Title IX Administrator/Coordinator or designee, or the Dean of Students or designee. Faculty, who have a mandatory duty to report, are required to disclose all information including the names of the parties, even where the person has requested their name remain confidential.
Pursuant to the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act (CANRA), all employees who know of or have reason to suspect child abuse or neglect involving alleged victims under age 18 shall promptly inform local law enforcement or the county welfare department.
