Associate Director, Alumni Events

The Associate Director of Alumni Events at USC Alumni Association supports the execution of signature programs that engage the Trojan Family worldwide, including Trojan Huddles, Alumni Weekend, and Spring Week. Reporting to the Alumni Events Director, this role leads event planning and logistics, contributes to strategic event design, and manages relationships with campus partners, alumni volunteers, and vendors. The role may supervise student workers and requires strong project management, communication, and operational excellence. This is a hybrid-fixed position with an on-site presence of 3 days per week on the University Park Campus, and late nights, weekends, and occasional travel are required.

Responsibilities

• Lead the planning and execution of assigned alumni events, ensuring alignment with institutional priorities and alumni engagement goals.
• Manage event timelines, run-of-show, and logistics to deliver seamless, high-quality experiences.
• Partner with internal teams and external vendors to execute event components, including venue, catering, production, and guest experience.
• Support innovation in event formats, including hybrid and digital components, to engage diverse alumni audiences.
• Track event outcomes, attendee feedback, and engagement data to inform continuous improvement.
• Develop and manage event budgets in collaboration with leadership, ensuring fiscal responsibility.
• Oversee project plans, workflows, and timelines across multiple concurrent events.
• Ensure compliance with university policies, accessibility standards, and risk management protocols.
• Maintain accurate records in CRM and event management systems.
• Lead logistical planning for assigned events, including timelines, run-of-show, accessibility, and safety protocols, while supporting the Events Director on complex, large-scale programs.
• Partner with campus departments and external vendors to deliver high-quality, seamless event experiences.
• Integrate technology, design, and engagement strategies that elevate the attendee experience.
• Ensure compliance with university policies, ADA requirements, and industry best practices for risk management and safety.
• Serve as a primary point of contact for assigned events and a supporting liaison to university leadership, alumni boards, donors, and external partners on larger programs.
• Support vendor sourcing, contract coordination, and relationship management to ensure quality and value.
• Collaborate with Advancement colleagues to align events with broader engagement and fundraising strategies.
• Monitor trends in event management, alumni engagement, and the Los Angeles market to inform event planning.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of new engagement strategies, including interactive formats and digital platforms.
• Support revenue-generating events and identify opportunities for growth and improved sustainability.
• Provide data-informed insights and recommendations to enhance event strategy and alumni experiences.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree.
• Combined experience/education as substitute for minimum education.
• Minimum of 3-5 years of event planning experience.
• Experience supporting or executing large-scale, complex events.
• Strong organizational, project management, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and perform well under pressure.
• Familiarity with event-related software, CRM, and communications tools.
• Availability for evenings, weekends, and travel as required.

Nice to have

• Experience with university or alumni events.
• Experience working with volunteers or advisory boards.
• Knowledge of the Los Angeles event landscape.
• Experience managing budgets and vendor relationships.
• Familiarity with strategic planning and translating goals into execution.

Benefits

• The budgeted salary for this position is up to $80,000. When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer alignment, federal, state, and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations.
• To support faculty and staff well-being, USC provides benefits-eligible employees with a broad range of benefits and perks to help protect their and their dependents’ health, wealth, and future. These benefits are available as part of the overall compensation and total rewards package. You can learn more about USC’s comprehensive benefits here.