Job Summary The Director of University Events and Commencement provides strategic and operational leadership for the university's signature presidential, ceremonial, and divisional events and oversees CSULB's commencement ceremonies. The Director personally plans, produces, and leads on-site execution of selected high-profile events, including presidential receptions, major ceremonies, and events involving distinguished guests. The Director also leads the University Events and Commencement team, manages its budget and vendor relationships, and sets standards for how the university hosts graduates, families, donors, elected officials, tribal leaders, and community partners.
Reporting to the Associate Vice President for University Relations, the Director serves as the university's senior event professional and primary advisor on ceremony, protocol, and event execution. The Director exercises independent judgment on matters that affect the university's reputation and works closely with the Office of the President, Academic Affairs, Student Affairs, Administration and Finance, and the seven colleges.
Key Responsibilities - Presidential and signature university events: Provide leadership for the university's signature events portfolio, setting the annual calendar and standards in consultation with senior leaders. Oversee presidential and divisional events, advise on protocol, and lead on-site delivery for events involving the President, trustees, elected officials, and principal donors. Ensure effective guest communications and sponsor recognition, and use attendance, cost, and feedback measures to guide event improvements.
- Commencement oversight: Provide oversight of commencement for the university's seven colleges, setting direction and approving the schedule, venue plan, budget, and major ceremony features. Hold the staff and planning team accountable for milestones and outcomes; guide the review committee; ensure consistent protocol and accessible ceremonies; and serve as the senior event official during commencement week.
- Team leadership and unit management: Lead the university events unit by supervising and developing unit staff and setting goals, priorities, and workloads for the broader team of staff, student assistants, seasonal volunteers, and commencement ambassadors. Manage event intake and the university calendar, document procedures and templates, report on unit goals, and represent the unit on leadership and university committees.
- Budget, contracts, and vendor management: Manage budgets for commencement, university events, and donor and stewardship events; oversee procurement, contracts, vendors, and compliance with CSU and CSULB requirements.
- Safety, risk, and compliance: Oversee event safety and emergency planning with campus and public safety partners, and ensure events meet accessibility, university policy, insurance, and media-release requirements.
Department University Relations
Duration of Appointment This is a regular, at-will position.
Classification Administrator II
Compensation Salary placement is determined by the education, experience, and qualifications the candidate brings to the position, internal equity, and the hiring department's fiscal resources.
Hiring Range: The hiring range for this position is $8,334 - $9,667.00 per month commensurate with candidate's education, experience, skills, and training.
Benefits At California State University (CSU), we prioritize the health, growth, and success of our employees. Our benefits program reflects our commitment to your overall well-being.
To be eligible for full benefits, employees must be appointed at least half-time (.50 FTE) with an appointment lasting more than six months and one day. Benefits eligibility and offerings may vary based on appointment type, classification, and applicable collective bargaining agreement. Eligible employees may have access to a comprehensive benefits package that can include:
- Paid Time Off: Up to 24 vacation days per year (based on employee group and/or length of service), 14 paid holidays, and 12 sick days annually with unlimited accrual.
- Health Coverage: A variety of medical, dental, and vision plans.
- Retirement Plans: Participation in the CalPERS defined benefit plan, along with voluntary savings options such as 403(b), 401(k), and 457 plans.
- Educational Benefits: Tuition fee waiver programs for eligible employees; dependent eligibility varies by employee group and bargaining unit.
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Confidential counseling and support services for employees and their families.
- Additional Benefits: Wellness programs, professional development opportunities, and insurance options including life, disability, and pet insurance.
Candidates are encouraged to review the appropriate CSU Employee Benefits Summary for details specific to their position. Additionally, the CSU Total Compensation Calculator is available to help prospective employees understand the full value of the CSU benefits package and how it complements base salary.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities The ideal candidate will have thorough knowledge of event production, including staging, audiovisual, seating, crowd flow, ticketing, catering, and livestream including knowledge of academic ceremony traditions and protocol, including processionals, regalia, platform party order, and order of precedence. Should also have knowledge of accessibility requirements for public events and the ability to design for them from the start. The ideal candidate will also have the ability to lead, coach, and hold a team accountable during sustained periods of high demand, the ability to manage a multi-year planning calendar and many concurrent projects without loss of detail, the ability to build consensus among deans, faculty, students, and administrators who hold different views of the same ceremony. The will also have the ability to read a contract, identify risk, and negotiate terms that protect the university. Must have sound judgment and composure under pressure, including during disruptions, medical incidents, and weather events. Clear, direct writing and speaking, including briefings for the President and Cabinet, discretion with confidential information and with matters involving donors, officials, and honored guests, commitment to serving a diverse community of graduates and families, many of whom are the first in their family to attend a commencement, and proficiency with Microsoft 365 and with event registration, guest management, and project management tools.
Ability to communicate with an ethnically and culturally diverse campus community. Ability to follow all university policies, procedures, and guidelines including but not limited to safety, civility, information security, and non-discrimination policies and procedures. Ability to contribute to a positive university experience for each and every student and assist in achieving the university's commitment to a "vision of excellence."
Education and Experience• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.
• 5 years of progressively responsible experience planning and producing large, complex events, including ceremonies or public events with audiences in the thousands. 3 years of experience supervising professional staff.
Licenses• Driver license required.
Application Procedures Click "Apply Now" to complete the CSULB Online Employment Application.
Please fill out the application completely. It is important that all sections of the online application are completed fully and accurately. Be sure to include all relevant education and experience. Your application will be used to determine whether you meet the minimum qualifications for this position.
Physical Summary Medium work - Job involves lifting heavy weight objects (20-40 pounds) and/or 20% - 40% of the job involves standing, squatting, kneeling, or walking. May require pushing or pulling objects within the weight limits.
Additional Information CSULB is not a sponsoring agency for staff and management positions (i.e. H-1B Visas).
A background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily and is required for employment. CSULB will make a conditional offer of employment, which may be rescinded if the background check reveals disqualifying information, and/or it is discovered that the candidate knowingly withheld or falsified information. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the continued employment of a current CSU employee who was conditionally offered the position.
Due to the nature of this position, current CSULB employees are subject to a criminal record check unless they have successfully completed a criminal background check through CSULB within the past 12 months.
The person holding this position is considered a 'mandated reporter' under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 Revised July 21, 2017 as a condition of employment.
Conflict of Interest: The duties of this position will include participation in decisions that may have a material financial benefit to the incumbent. Therefore, the selected candidate will be required to file Conflict of Interest Form 700: Statement of Economic Interest on an annual basis, complete ethics training within 6 months of appointment, and attend this training every other year thereafter.
Advertised: Oct 31 2026 Pacific Daylight Time
Applications close: Nov 14 2026 Pacific Standard Time
