Event Planner
- Employer
- Salk Institute for Biological Studies
- Location
- La Jolla, CA
View more
- Employment Type
- Full Time
- Institution Type
- Four-Year Institution
Job Details
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
- Event Planning (75%)
- Directly responsible for planning of “Level 2,” half-day donor cultivation events such as Back to Basics, Excellerators, Women & Science, President’s Club reception, unique one-time events such as memorials, etc. Also includes 1-day outside organization events (requires site visit with organizer, site visit with caterer(s) and/or multiple additional vendors). Examples include CARTA events, Peptide Therapeutics, etc. Includes working with 1-5 vendors (florists, rental companies, caterers, etc.). Requires creating specialty floor plans and décor, briefing other department liaisons, etc.
- Directly responsible for planning more complex, “Level 3” events, such as 1-2 day Salk scientific events/symposia, Salk Picnic, multiple-day, non-Salk events on Salk campus and large-scale donor events. Responsibilities include: creating and maintaining websites; managing registration for 200-800 attendees; planning menus; coordinating rentals; staffing events; overseeing briefings with multiple departments who are also supporting the event; managing abstract submission process; advertising; coordinating speaker travel; managing budgets; processing reimbursements to guest speakers, both national and international; providing travel support for international attendees; administering consent to record protocols and follow-up; planning occasional off-site events as part of the main event program; handling special guest requests; managing parking needs; and acting as guest speaker liaison. Responsible for working with 5-8 vendors, including hotels, multiple caterers, rentals, florists, transportation and entertainment. Works directly with faculty or Development event organizer.
- Creates abstract books as assigned for multiple annual symposia. This includes managing online abstract submission process; proofing materials; working with individual presenters on each submission; confirming participation of each presenter; formatting documents; and acting as liaison to outside printing vendor to produce final product.
- Directly responsible for orchestrating “Level 4” events, such as 3- to 4-day scientific symposia (Adler Symposium, PRCS, Cell Cycle, Mechanisms & Models of Cancer, Salk/Foundation Ipsen, Society for Neuroscience Salk events, etc.) and for highly complex or VIP events, including Explore Salk, Symphony at Salk and other unique, high-profile events. Responsibilities include all those listed in Level 3, plus planning and managing multiple off-site events that take place during the main event; accepting and managing sponsorships; coordinating more complex housing arrangements with multiple housing vendors; and overseeing contract management. Includes adjusting budget expenses to revenue if registration revenue is lower than projected, which includes creating new budget(s) if needed. Responsible for working with 7-12 vendors, including hotels, other venues, caterers, rental companies, florists, transportation providers, travel companies and entertainment providers.
- Serves as contact and a Salk liaison for all requested "outside" (non-Salk) scientific and non-scientific events on Salk campus. This includes "joint" events (Salk and an outside institute or university).
- Arranges and acts as liaison to facilitate parking needs for each event.
- Ensures completion of all speaker/presenter communication and travel, including securing of air/ground transportation and lodging; processing all required paperwork, vouchers, documentation and reimbursements before and after trips; and preparing itineraries.
- Supervises and directs workflow for operations and serving staff working assigned events.
- Independently resolves problems and implements creative solutions before and during assigned events.
- Marketing and Collaterals (10%)
- Submits Communications requests and information for websites, posters, banners, flyers, sponsor and acknowledgment displays and other related collaterals.
- Proofreads poster rough drafts, invitations and other printed material from Communications department which support Salk scientific events.
- Produces abstract books as assigned for multiple annual symposia. This includes gathering and proofing of materials, confirming participation of each registrant, set up of website, formatting of documents, working with each abstract presenter on their abstract document review process and acting as liaison to outside printing vendor to produce final product.
- Oversees, organizes and assembles data for the creation of various websites, from inception to completion.
- Budget Management (10%)
- Creates, manages and monitors expenses/income, working with the Events Fiscal Coordinator and event organizer to stay within budget parameters for each event/project. Ensures appropriate fund balances before initiating ledger expense. Oversees monthly budget reconciliation for all current events through final resolution.
- Ensures that cumulative expenses are in line with the assigned budget.
- Prepares program support budget status reports and projections for review by Director, Salk Events (DSE).
- Supervision (5%)
- During events, directs workflow for the Events Operations (Ops) team and serves as liaison between Ops team members and the DSE as well as Events Coordinator to ensure all event-related requests are executed with a high degree of efficiency and satisfaction.
- Attends relevant trainings and keeps abreast of all HR supervisory requirements, policies and procedures to ensure proper application and adherence to Institute and departmental policies.
EXPERIENCE
Required:
- 4 years’ proven experience as an events planner or organizer.
Preferred:
- Experience with creating and reviewing Banquet Event Orders.
- Experience with both hybrid and virtual events.
- Prior experience in a larger (500+) nonprofit organization.
EDUCATION
Required
- High school diploma
Preferred
- Bachelor’s degree
SKILLS AND ABILITIES
Required
- Demonstrated ability to plan, organize and execute a successful event. Demonstrated ability to handle logistics and effectively carry out event goals of the designated unit/partner organization in a manner that enhances the image of the Salk Institute.
- Ability to make creative recommendations regarding individual events’ improvement and streamlining of internal processes.
- Strong, demonstrated organizational skills, with ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously, often working under pressure and with frequent interruptions while exhibiting extreme attention to detail and maintaining a high degree of accuracy at all times.
- Demonstrated exceptional interpersonal skills to communicate and interact in a positive and effective manner with diverse clientele.
- Ability to make appropriate decisions and to employ good judgment under demanding conditions and/or when confronted with frequently changing priorities and challenging situations.
- Proven ability to work with high level of independence.
- Excellent communication skills, verbal and written.
SPECIAL CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT
- Must be willing to work in an animal-related research environment.
- Satisfactory completion of the Institute’s background investigation.
- Must be willing to sign a confidentiality agreement.
- Will require occasional evening and weekends to assist with events.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS/MENTAL ACTIVITIES/ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS
This position will constantly be adjusting focus, grasping, hearing, keying, seeing, sitting, talking, analyzing, communicating, reading, reasoning, working inside, and writing.
Organization
Working at Salk Institute for Biological Studies
The Salk Institute for Biological Studies is one of the world's preeminent basic research institutions, where internationally renowned faculty probe fundamental life science questions in a unique, collaborative, and creative environment. Focused on both discovery and mentoring future generations of researchers, Salk scientists make groundbreaking contributions to our understanding of cancer, aging, Alzheimer's, diabetes, and cardiovascular disorders by studying neuroscience, genetics, cell and plant biology, and related disciplines.
Faculty achievements have been recognized with numerous honors, including Nobel Prizes and memberships in the National Academy of Sciences. Founded in 1960 by polio vaccine pioneer Jonas Salk, M.D., the Institute is an independent nonprofit organization and architectural landmark.
Salk Equal Opportunity and Non-Discrimination Statement
The Salk Institute for Biological Studies is committed to providing equal access to opportunities for students, employees, applicants for employment and other persons.
Our policies prohibit harassment or unlawful discrimination against individuals on the basis of sex, gender, marital or parental status, pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, medical conditions/disabilities related to pregnancy, childbirth or breastfeeding, gender identity, gender expression, or sexual orientation age, ancestry, color, religion (including religious dress and grooming practices), family and/or medical care leave status, disability (mental or physical), registered domestic partner status, legally protected medical condition, genetic information, military or veteran status (disabled veteran, veteran of the Vietnam era, other covered veteran status), national origin (including language use restrictions and possession of a driver’s license), race, religion or any other classification protected by local, state or federal laws.
The Salk Institute participates in the E-Verify program.
Reasonable accommodation is available for qualified individuals with disabilities and for individuals with religious restrictions.
https://www.salk.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/infographic-2019-0619.pdf
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