External Engagement Specialist

Department: Lang-Office of the Associate Dean Strategic Partnerships
Position covered by the Collective Agreement with USW Local 4120

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Duties and Responsibilities

Reporting to the Manager, Marketing and Communications, the External Engagement Specialist is directly responsible for the development, planning, attendee engagement and execution of all external-focused events run by the Lang School Dean’s Office. This includes all recruitment, community-focused, donor and alumni events run through the Dean’s Office that often include the attendance of internal and external stakeholders of the University and Lang School.

The Specialist will ensure the quality and professionalism of these events are adhered to and align with the mission of the Lang School. The Specialist will assist other academic units with events and represent the Lang School in campus-wide events, as deemed appropriate by the Manager, Marketing and Communications.

The Specialist works closely with the Associate Dean, Strategic Partnerships to execute strategic events and initiatives that result in alumni, donor and student engagement. The Specialist will work closely with the marketing and communications team within the Dean’s Office to ensure proper communication and marketing best practices are adhered to.

The Specialist will be the point of contact for all Dean’s Office events and oversees the supervision of supporting staff (co-op or volunteer students), as well as third party vendors. The Specialist is the first-line of contact for all event attendees which may include faculty, staff, students, corporate partners, alumni, guest speakers and donors. Therefore, the ability to communicate effectively with a high level of professionalism and a precise attention to detail is critical.

Requirements

To be considered for this role, candidates must have:

• Two (2) year College Diploma (Bachelor’s degree preferred) in a related field along with at least two years’ experience performing duties related to event management, administrative management, and communication management in a fast-paced office environment or an equivalent combination of related education and experience.
• Self-motivated problem solver and conflict resolution skills
• Ability to work collaboratively as part of a small, fast-paced team
• Exceptional organizational and communication skills with an eye for detail
• Familiarity with event management trends and technology
• Experience planning, coordinating large-scale, high-impact events
• Working knowledge of Microsoft 365
• Ability to manage multiple competing priorities and work with tight deadlines
• Experience coordinating and executing complex projects
• An understanding of the School’s and University’s expectations, policies and practices
• Demonstrated ability to anticipate and identify problems; analyze, recommend and execute solutions
• Creative thinking, problem solving and consensus building skills
• The candidate we are seeking is well-acquainted with event management and has a strong aptitude in building partnerships with a lasting positive impact. They possess excellent project management skills to plan and execute multiple events simultaneously

Employee Type: Regular
Position Number: 10195043
Classification: USW, Local 4120 Salary: Band 5
USW Local 4120 Wage Grid

*Tentative evaluation; subject to final review.

At the University of Guelph, fostering a culture of inclusion is an institutional imperative. The University invites and encourages applications from all qualified individuals, including from groups that are traditionally underrepresented in employment, who may contribute to further diversification of our Institution.

Posting Date: 08/07/2025
Closing Date: 08/14/2025