Events & Engagement Specialist

The Events & Engagement Specialist plans, facilitates, recommends, collaborates, and coordinates College recruitment, legislative, and promotional events. This position partners with cross-functional teams to develop content and messaging for key events and focuses on continuous improvement to deliver exceptional in-person and virtual event experiences for prospective students, community members, elected officials, and guests.

Responsibilities:

• Strategically plan and execute the College’s highest priority (portfolio events) public-facing recruitment, Workforce Solutions, promotional, informative/educational, and legislative events. Components may include virtual and in-person event coordination.
• Serve as an event management consultant for all CVTC departments to ensure consistent coordination and execution of other CVTC events as appropriate.
• Support on-site and off-site CVTC events, conferences, and meetings, with special emphasis on events that build CVTC brand awareness, drive recruitment, enhance image and increase revenue,
• Work cross-functionally to align stakeholders and execute event strategies using established and approved processes and managing deadlines.
• Build and maintain a rolling 12-month events calendar aligned to campaigns, key programs, and College objectives.
• Develop and execute comprehensive event project plans with timelines, logistics, marketing, registration, etc. and engage in regular checkpoints to ensure plan is on track.
• Create event reports (scorecards) and conduct post-event review and analysis to evaluate ROI, engagement, and goal attainment and make recommendations for future event improvements.
• Assist with the creation of overall event budget and ensure individual events do not exceed allocated budget.
• Facilitate all operations, production, staging, and on-site execution of portfolio events.
• Work with Marketing and stakeholder departments to coordinate participation and staffing for external events that are sponsored by CVTC.
• Establish, nurture and maintain strong relationships with third-party vendors (i.e., caterers, technology services, etc.) that are utilized for events.
• Maintain internal and external in-person and virtual relationships to execute events.
• Design and implement sustainable event processes for repeatability and scalability of event activities based on industry best practices.
• Deliver new ideas and creative approaches to constantly improve event and customer experiences.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Familiarity utilizing virtual event production, platforms, and tools.
• Demonstrated ability to plan and execute in-person events, from pre-planning to on-site execution.
• Demonstrated ability to work with customer relationship, email, and content management systems.
• Demonstrated ability for accuracy and thoroughness, an eye for detail and an appreciation of nuance, with outstanding communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively troubleshoot and resolve last minute needs in fast-paced, high-visibility situations.
• Ability to set up, manage, and troubleshoot video conference room technologies and coordinate day-to-day AV operations and set up with internal and external stakeholders.
• Ability to troubleshoot and think quickly to alleviate roadblocks during live events.
• Ability to model integrity through self-awareness, personal accountability, ethical behavior, quality standards, and sustainable practices.
• Ability to think critically by applying problem solving practices, acquiring relevant information, using technology and other resources appropriately, and evaluating alternatives.
• Ability to communicate effectively by speaking and writing clearly, concisely, and professionally; practicing active listening; reading critically and adapting communication for audience.
• Ability to recognize personal biases, adapt to different cultural situations, and demonstrate a commitment to respectful interactions with persons of various ethnic, cultural, socio-economic, or educational backgrounds.
• Intermediate knowledge of and skills with technology including software programs for communication, data collection, and decision making including, but not limited to, Microsoft Office Outlook, Word, and Excel.

• Bachelor’s degree in marketing, communications, or related field with a minimum of two years of professional experience focused on event and project management; or, associate’s degree in marketing, communications, or related field with a minimum of six years of professional experience focused on event and project management.

In evaluating candidates for this position, the College may consider a combination of education, training, and experience which provides the necessary knowledge, skills and abilities to perform duties of position.

The College is seeking to attract diverse instructors and staff who can inspire our increasingly diverse student population. We believe every member on our team enriches our diversity by exposing us to a broad range of ways to understand and engage with the world, identify challenges, and to discover, design, and deliver solutions. We value the ability to serve students from a broad range of cultural heritages, socioeconomic backgrounds, genders, abilities, and orientations. Therefore, we seek applicants who demonstrate they understand the benefits of diversity in a higher education community. Consideration will be given to equity-minded individuals committed to collaborating with faculty, staff, administration, students, and community partners who are also committed to closing equity gaps.

2025 annual benefits include:

• 3 – 4 weeks of paid vacation time based on years of service
• 11 paid holidays
• Paid winter break - varies each year based on academic calendar and, at a minimum, includes days between Christmas and New Year’s holidays (some exceptions may apply for essential workers)
• Paid summer break - the week of July 4th.
• 4 paid personal days
• 3 weeks (15 days) paid sick time annually for absences due to illness, injury, or doctor and dentist appointments of the employee, dependent children, spouse, or parents of the employee or spouse; cumulative to 135 days (1,080 hours)
• Paid bereavement time
• Paid volunteer time
• Tuition reimbursement up to $2,500 annually (eligibility requirements apply)
• Health insurance for employee, spouse, and dependents with attached Health Savings Account (HSA); CVTC contributes $3,400 annually for a family plan or $1,700 annually for a single plan to your HSA
• Wellness incentive of up to $600 for employees enrolled in CVTC’s health insurance
• $2,500 cash-payment in lieu of CVTC health insurance coverage for employees who have credible coverage through another source
• Dental insurance for employee, spouse, and dependents
• Vision insurance for employee, spouse, and dependents
• Life and long-term disability insurance premiums paid by CVTC
• Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS), CVTC matches 6.95%, vested at 5 years of credible service
• 403(b) tax deferred annuity program
• 457(b) deferred compensation plan
• Section 125 flexible spending accounts
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Professional development
• Certified Gold Level Family Friendly Workplace (FFW)
• Access to expansive collection of college and public library resources for personal and professional use
• Free or low-cost services offered by CVTC program students, such as computer repair, automotive repair, Shear Inspiration Salon and Spa, aesthetician services and 620 West restaurant and culinary pop ups 

Benefits begin on the first date of employment (i.e., there is no waiting period).

CVTC does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or age in its programs and activities. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the college's non-discrimination policies: Vice President of Talent & Culture, 620 W. Clairemont Avenue, Eau Claire, WI 54701, 715-833-6334, WI Relay: 711