Opportunity Description
Seattle Colleges District is looking to hire a Director of Student Events in Seattle Promise.

Salary Range for this position is $79,467 to $109,739 annually (depending on experience). The anticipated starting salary for this position is $90,000 annually.

Opportunity is open until filled, first review of materials will begin July 1st, 2026.

Position Summary

Under the supervision of the Sr. Director of Student Success for Seattle Promise, the Director of Student Events provides strategic, operational, and programmatic leadership for student-facing events and orientation experiences that advance Seattle Colleges¿ and Seattle Promise's mission and strategic objectives. This position exercises discretion and independent judgment in the planning, execution, and continuous improvement of high-impact events that collectively serve 2,000¿4,000 students annually across multiple campuses and community sites throughout Seattle.

The Director leads the design and delivery of a comprehensive portfolio of programs across the colleges and city, including:

Discover Seattle Colleges

Explore Seattle Colleges events

Seattle Promise Readiness Academy events

Campus Connect Orientation

Seattle Promise Graduate Reception

These events shape the institution and program's visibility, reputation, and student pipeline by engaging thousands of prospective and current students, families, educators, and community partners each year. The role requires strong collaboration with district and college leadership, faculty, staff, and external stakeholders to ensure cohesive, student-centered experiences aligned with institutional priorities.

As a visible member of the Seattle Promise team, the Director builds and sustains relationships with internal and external partners, including campus stakeholders, K¿12 partners, community-based organizations, business leaders, public officials, and volunteers. The position also supports additional events and initiatives as assigned.

This position may supervise interns and student workers as necessary to support program needs.

Seattle Promise ¿ and this position are funded by the City of Seattle ¿ s Families, Education, Preschool, and Promise Levy (FEPP) which has the goal of transforming the lives of Seattle ¿ s children, youth, and families by leading with race and social justice by providing Seattle residents access to educational opportunities from preschool through post-secondary. The FEPP Levy is currently funded through June 30, 2032.

What you will be working on:

Strategic Leadership

• Lead the strategic development, expansion, and assessment of Seattle Promise student event and orientation programming aligned with program enrollment, access, and student success goals.
• Design innovative, equity-centered event experiences that support college awareness, onboarding, persistence, and completion for diverse student populations, building off a well-informed foundation of evidence and experience within the program.
• Partner with district and college leadership to align events with Seattle Colleges¿ strategic plan and Seattle Promise priorities.
• Utilize data and participant feedback to evaluate program effectiveness and inform continuous improvement.
• Represent Seattle Promise in cross-functional planning efforts related to outreach, recruitment, onboarding, and student engagement.

Operational Leadership

• Direct the planning, coordination, and execution of large-scale, multi-site and multi-mode events serving 2,000¿4,000 prospective and current Seattle Promise students annually.
• Develop and manage comprehensive event timelines, logistics plans, run-of-show documents, and risk management protocols.
• Coordinate event registration systems, communications, and participant tracking processes in collaborating with the Seattle Promise Communications, Outreach, and Student Success teams.
• Ensure accessibility, inclusivity, and high-quality customer service across all events and programs.
• Oversee vendor relationships, facility scheduling, transportation logistics, and technology needs.
• Partner closely with the Seattle Promise Communication, Outreach, and Student Success teams to promote events and maintain consistent branding.

People Leadership

• Hire, train, supervise, and evaluate interns, student staff, temporary staff, and event volunteers.
• Foster a collaborative team environment that centers equity, inclusion, and student success.
• Build and maintain strong working relationships with faculty, staff, administrators, and community partners.
• Serve as a key point of contact for stakeholders involved in event planning and execution.
• Mentor student leaders and ambassadors who support event delivery and peer engagement.

Financial Leadership

• Develop, manage, and monitor event budgets to ensure fiscal responsibility and alignment with program goals and resources.
• Identify cost-effective strategies while maintaining high-quality program delivery.
• Track expenditures, reconcile budgets, and prepare financial reports as needed.
• Explore opportunities for partnerships, sponsorships, and resource leveraging to support program sustainability.

Other Duties as Assigned

• Support additional Seattle Promise and Seattle Colleges events, initiatives, and special projects.
• Participate in division, district, and college committees and workgroups.
• Contribute to broader student success and enrollment initiatives.
• Perform other duties consistent with the scope and intent of the position as needed

This description is not intended to cover every aspect of this job, we are a team that works together to meet the needs of those we serve, and every member of the team is expected to contribute, even beyond the specific responsibilities listed in this posting.

What you bring as a candidate: (Any Equivalent Combination of Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education and Experience)

• Bachelor's degree in higher education administration, student affairs, communications, public administration, or a related field.
• Four (4) years of progressively responsible experience in event management, student programming, orientation, or related areas in education or nonprofit settings.
• Demonstrated experience planning and executing large-scale events or programs involving diverse stakeholders.
• Experience working with students from diverse backgrounds, including historically underserved populations.
• Strong organizational, project management, and problem-solving skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
• Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively across departments and build partnerships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Proficiency with event management tools, registration systems, and standard office software.
• Ability to work evenings and weekends as required by event schedules.
• Supervisory or team leadership experience, including student staff or volunteers.
• Must hold valid driver's license, the ability to drive vehicles within city limits, and reliable automotive transportation.
• Familiarity and proficiency with various technologies, including but not limited to Microsoft Office, student database systems and student success technologies.

Physical Demands and Disability Accommodation

Persons with disabilities have the right to reasonable accommodation in all aspects of employment with Seattle Colleges. This includes, but is not limited to, recruitment, application, interviewing, hiring, training, termination, conditions of employment, and any other employer-supported activities. Applicants requesting accommodation should contact Human Resources .

OFFICE SETTING:

Seattle Colleges follows the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and provides the following information as a guideline for applicants:

• Ability to operate office equipment, receive and interpret data, and prepare various materials
• Ability to exchange information with supervisor, lead, co-workers, and students
• Ability to provide 1:1 support, present to small groups, and work at a computer exercising repetitive hand motion
• Work is performed primarily in office settings with frequent interruptions and encounters noises typical of these settings