at University of Illinois in Urbana, Illinois, United States
Job Description
Program Manager- Big Ten Academic Alliance (BTAA)The Big Ten Academic Alliance, the consortium of the Big Ten universities, is seeking a dynamic, collaborative individual to bring their excellent program and large event management skills, leadership talents, and passion for higher education to the team supporting the Big Ten Academic Alliance Leadership Institute. The Big Ten Academic Alliance Leadership Institute houses the Alliance's highly regarded portfolio of academic leadership programs for emerging leaders, department executives, and newly appointed deans. Reporting to the Associate Director of Programs, this individual will be a key contributor to the planning and delivery of the Institute's skills-based, strategically focused, culturally competent leadership training.
We are looking for enthusiastic candidates who are:
- highly skilled at all phases of planning, delivering, and supporting large professional and higher education conferences and events.
- knowledgeable about leadership development and excited to be a part of advancing the Alliance's industry leading portfolio of academic leadership programs.
- committed to delivering exceptional service and support to event partners and participants, equipped with excellent inter-personal skills and a deep understanding of group dynamics.
- well-organized, detail-oriented, and motivated to find solutions and deliver excellent outcomes.
- collaborative and enjoy working in a team environment.
- passionate about supporting the education, research, diversity, and engagement missions of our world-class universities.
The Big Ten Academic Alliance is the nation's preeminent model for effective collaboration among research universities. Since 1958, the Alliance has helped the world-class institutions of the Big Ten advance their academic missions, generate unique opportunities for students and faculty, and serve the common good by sharing expertise, leveraging campus resources, and collaborating on innovative programs. For more information on the Big Ten Academic Alliance visit http://www.btaa.org.
This position is located at the Big Ten Academic Alliance headquarters in Champaign, Illinois. Employees work a hybrid work schedule with two days in the office and three days remote. If consistent with the best interests and needs of the consortium, consideration may be given to a request for an alternative work location.
Staff are employees of the University of Illinois and receive employee benefits. We are dedicated to creating an inclusive and diverse community that values and celebrates the unique contributions of everyone, actively seeking those who share our commitment to diversity and inclusion and who will contribute to the creation of a welcoming and supportive environment for all.
Duties & Responsibilities
Conference Planning and Delivery
• Serve as primary advisor to university planning teams and act as main liaison to host universities regarding overall conference development, management, and delivery of leadership development programs.
• Plan and administer conferences, including implementing operational policies and procedures for managing daily administrative matters.
• Negotiate with vendors, including hotels, audio/visual providers, and others, to secure reservations, services, and contracts.
• Oversee contractual obligations and other business processes to ensure successful program outcomes, including post-event reimbursements and invoice processes.
• Establish financial controls and guidelines to maintain costs within budget limits, monitor invoices, and supervise income and expense activity.
• Direct and coordinate services for events, such as accommodations, facilities, catering, signage, displays, special needs requirements, printing and security.
• Manage day-to-day operations of the event, including directing the physical planning, logistics for the event, and on-site execution.
Program Management
• Develop and communicate programmatic and logistical information.
• Serve as liaison and primary point of contact for host campus representatives, speakers, participants, and external partners.
• Provide resources and support to campus representatives responsible for implementing consortial programs and hosting leadership programs.
• Use a variety of information technology tools and applications to create and manage in-person and virtual meetings and collaborations, including registration sites, shared virtual workspaces, web pages, meeting materials, and data management.
• Leverage cloud-based technologies, databases, spreadsheets, and other collaborative tools to facilitate institutional benchmarking, information sharing, and consortial collaborations.
• Identify, track, and analyze performance-related data for programs and projects.
• Develop reports, prepare updates, and communicate to diverse audiences, using multi-media as appropriate.
• Collaboratively engage with internal and external stakeholders, including students and faculty from member universities and members of the public.
• Communicate timely and effectively, responding to verbal and written inquiries, and assist with web and other strategic communications.
• Provide excellent customer service to member institutions, program liaisons and participants and work collegially and professionally with all external and internal stakeholders.
Other assigned duties and projects, collaborating and working as a committed team member of Programs Team and Big Ten Academic Alliance office.
Frequent travel is required of this position, including overnight travel to member campuses and other locations and occasional evening & weekend work.
Position Qualifications
Required-
• Bachelor's degree in Hospitality, Marketing, Public Relations, Communications, Business Administration, Student Affairs, or a closely related field.
• One (1) year (12 months) of professional work experience in Events Planning, Conference Management, Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, or any other related field.
• Demonstrated experience with software applications, databases, and/or information technology tools.
• Demonstrated experience facilitating meetings and/or peer communities.
Preferred-
• Advanced degree in a related field.
• More than three years of relevant experience.
• Experience with planning and delivering leadership development programs.
• Experience managing large sets of data and working with Excel or similar tools.
• Experience working with new and custom technology and video conferences platforms.
• Related higher education experience.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities-
• Proven ability to plan, manage, and execute complex events and/or programs.
• Demonstrated ability to prioritize and manage multiple commitments without daily supervision, taking initiative as needed.
• Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, leadership techniques, and coordination of people and resources.
• Ability to analyze and develop guidelines, procedures, and systems.
• Excellent oral and written communication and interpersonal skills.
• Familiarity with the Microsoft suite of products, event registration tools, and videoconferencing platforms.
• Ability to collect complex data and draw summary conclusions and recommendations.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Ability and willingness to adapt and work successfully and independently.
• Must have the ability to effectively solve problems.
Appointment Information
This is a 100% full-time Civil Service 5009 - Events Administrator Associate position, appointed on a 12-month basis. The expected start date is as soon as possible after the close of the search. The budgeted salary is $63,000-$78,000. We strive to provide a competitive salary, considering factors such as available market data, internal equity, candidate experience and qualifications, collective bargaining agreements, and budget constraints. The final salary offer will be determined through a thorough assessment of these elements. Work authorization sponsorship is not available for this position.
For more information on Civil Service classifications, please visit the SUCSS web site at https://www.sucss.illinois.gov/pages/classspec/default.aspx .
Application Procedures & Deadline Information
Applications must be received by 6:00 pm (Central Time) on Tuesday, June 24, 2025. Apply for this position using the Apply Now button at the top or bottom of this posting and upload a cover letter, resume (including month/year employment dates), contact information for three professional references, and transcript or proof of degree(s). Please ensure your resume highlights your qualifications for this position. This may include professional, academic, volunteer, or other applicable experiences that align with the responsibilities and required qualifications for this role. In order to be considered as a transfer candidate, you must apply for this position. Applications not submitted through https://jobs.illinois.edu will not be considered. If required by the position, transcripts or other documentation of credentials are to be provided no later than the first day of employment. For further information about this specific position, please contact Jennifer Steiling at steiling@illinois.edu. For questions regarding the application process, please contact 217-333-2137.
The University of Illinois offers a very competitive benefits portfolio, depending on the position. Click for a complete list of Employee Benefits .
The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit Required Employment Notices and Posters to view our non-discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify .
Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to apply and may request a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (2008) to complete the application and/or interview process. Accommodations may also be requested on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, and related conditions, or religion. Requests may be submitted through the reasonable accommodations portal , or by contacting the Accessibility & Accommodations Division of the Office for Access and Equity at 217-333-0885, or by emailing accessibility@illinois.edu .
Requisition ID: 1030103
Job Category: Professional and Administrative
Apply at: https://jobs.illinois.edu
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