Manager, Convocation

**Classification & Regular Hours**:
Hours per Week: 35

Salary Grade: 15

**About Western**:
Since 1878, Western University has been committed to serving our communities through the pursuit of academic excellence and by providing students, faculty, and community members with life-long opportunities for intellectual, social, and cultural growth. We seek excellent students, faculty, and staff to join us in what has become known as the "Western Experience" - an opportunity to contribute to a better world through the development of new knowledge, new abilities, new connections, and new ways to make a difference.

**About Us**:
The University Secretariat is responsible for managing and supporting the University’s bicameral governance system in accordance with legal requirements and obligations, the University of Western Ontario Act, the bylaws and regulations of Senate and Board, and accepted best governance practices. The Secretariat also administers appeals (academic, code of conduct and gender-based sexual violence) and provides oversight of convocation ceremonies.

**Responsibilities**:
The Manager, Convocation & Events will promote and further the mission of the University Secretariat by conceptualizing, developing, coordinating, and managing the details of Convocation, special cross-campus events related to Convocation, presidentially-hosted events at Gibbon’s Lodge (such as events for visiting dignitaries and government officials and events to recognize the accomplishments and contributions of faculty, staff, students, Board of Governors members, volunteers and other key constituents), and Governance-related events (collectively, the “Events”). The role will work closely with staff in the University Secretariat and Office of the President to create an appropriate sense of occasion for the Events, while maintaining Western’s traditions and protocols to portray the University in the best possible light. The role will manage more than 100 events per year and develop systems and protocols to guide event implementation that achieves desired outcomes, including needs assessments, budget management and strategic communications.

**Qualifications**:

- Education:
- Undergraduate Degree; in Business Administration, Marketing, Communications, Public Relations or related discipline preferred
- Certificate in Event and/or Project Management an asset

**Experience**:

- 3 years’ managing large scale events, leading and managing staff
- Experience in special event/program management or related role
- Experience in a University setting is preferred
- Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:
- In-depth knowledge of event management techniques and tools
- Exceptional organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects and rapidly changing priorities simultaneously, through project planning skills
- Ability to collaborate and develop credible relationships with a wide variety of individuals
- Communication skills to engage audiences, with confidence interacting with individuals at all levels of an organization
- Ability to work in a manner that models best practices in confidentiality standards
- Detail-oriented with an ability to function and process information with high levels of accuracy
- A well-defined sense of diplomacy, including solid negotiation and conflict resolution skills
- Proven expertise and abilities in project planning, including creating the vision, and planning and implementing wide-scale multi-faceted events
- Ability to remain highly motivated, resilient, innovative, and collaborative when faced with challenges
- Ability to work within a flexible schedule to accommodate the University’s events and activities
- Ability to ensure expenditures and resources are within allotments, and to make appropriate modifications when required
- Ability to search within and outside the formal boundaries of the organization for innovative ways to improve work

**Western Values Diversity**:
**Please Note**:
We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those chosen for an interview will be contacted.