Administrative and Event Coordinator

The Sorensen Institute for Civic Leadership seeks applications for an Administrative and Event Coordinator. The Coordinator will handle logistics for educational Sorensen’s programs and events, with a primary focus on securing hotel rooms, arranging for other venues and dining options, negotiating event proposals with vendors, and managing the invitation and registration processes for participants in Sorensen’s programs and events.

The Coordinator will also manage the Institute’s master calendar and the professional calendar for Sorensen’s Director, facilitating meetings with stakeholders and donors across the Commonwealth of Virginia.

The person in this position will report to the Director of the Sorensen Institute for Civic Leadership. The Director anticipates that the successful candidate will be able to pick up additional skills, responsibilities, and duties over the course of employment upon meeting the basic requirements of the position.

The attributes of the ideal applicant will include strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and an ability to work proactively with external vendors to ensure that they are able to meet the Institute’s needs in a cost-effective manner.

Applicants should be self-motivated and able to: thrive in a collegial environment among people strongly committed to Sorensen’s mission; work independently as part of a team focused on institutional priorities; work calmly and professionally, especially during those occasional times when the team finds itself in pressure situations; and uphold ethical standards generally and, particularly, with respect to handling confidential information.

Administrative and Event Coordinator key responsibilities include:

• Work independently within a team structure to fulfill defined organizational goals

• Within a budget established by Sorensen: negotiate, confirm and manage hotel room reservations and other venue and dining needs for Sorensen programs and events

• Ensure procurement and purchasing procedures are followed and managed within budgetary limits

• Track expenses to maintain Sorensen’s budget documentation

• Ensure delivery of services and goods by vendors

• Work with vendors to accommodate participant dietary restrictions, allergies, medical needs, mobility/accessibility/disability concerns

• Maintain positive relationships with existing vendors and conduct research to find new vendors when necessary

• Work with Sorensen program and alumni engagement associates to ascertain and communicate venue needs, entry procedures, security measures, and other information needed by program participants and guest speakers

• Anticipate recurring events, reviewing previous procedures, materials, and attendance trends

• Manage event invitation and reply processes from start to completion, including maintaining invitation lists, compiling invitation materials, organizing response systems, and communicating with invitees via email and phone

• Implement event registration procedures (advance and on site), tracking systems for event participant information, ticket sales, publicity, and attendee profile management

• Maintain Sorensen’s master calendar and keep team members on task for implementing the scheduled items in a timely manner

• Keep the Director’s schedule updated and set up meetings for the Director

• Set up internal planning and other staff meetings

• Organize electronic storage of relevant documentation · In addition to the above job responsibilities, other duties may be assigned.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

• Education: Bachelor's degree or combination of education, experience, and or certifications in lieu of degree requirement.

• Experience: 1+ years of relevant experience.

• Preference will be given to candidates with experience or demonstrated interest in public policy, politics or government. Familiarity with UVA’s purchasing and contracting portal (The Marketplace) is not required but is a plus.

The position will be based in Charlottesville and will require occasional travel, including overnight, for program support, event support, advance informational site visits.

Compensation:

The salary range for the position is $45,000-$50,000. The University of Virginia offers a competitive benefits package. For more information on the benefits at UVA, visit hr.virginia.edu/benefits.

Application Instructions:

Apply online, search for requisition R0084402. Internal applicants may search and apply for jobs on the UVA Internal Careers website. Complete the application, and upload the following Required materials:

• Resume

• Cover Letter

Applications that do not contain all required documents or partial applications will not receive full consideration. Cover letters should be responsive to the mission and vision of the Sorensen Institute as well as the responsibilities and qualifications stated above. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the successful candidate has been selected. All inquiries will be held in confidence.

For additional information about the application process please contact Eric Allen, Academic Recruiter, Uth9qh@virginia.edu

To nominate a candidate, please contact Lawrence Roberts, Director of the Sorensen Institute: larry.roberts@virginia.edu

For more information about UVA and the Charlottesville community please see http://www.virginia.edu/life/charlottesville and https://embarkcva.com/.

Physical Demands:

Employee will be required to lift various weights, climb ladders and stairs in order to complete jobs.

The use of both hands and a repetitive motion will be required while performing duties. Valid Drivers License is required.

Organization Description:

The Sorensen Institute for Civic Leadership was founded in 1993 to bring together individuals with a passion for public policy and public service who have a wide variety of viewpoints and backgrounds but want to work together for the common good. Our non-partisan educational mission is to develop leaders who can strengthen and enhance the quality of government, politics, and civic engagement at all levels throughout Virginia.

Through a variety of programs—for high school and college leaders as well as emerging adult leaders and mid-to-late career leaders -- the Sorensen Institute has established itself as a powerful and effective force for building effectiveness in our political system.

The Sorensen Institute is housed within the University of Virginia's Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service. The Cooper Center provides leadership development; consulting; data analysis; and research-based, unbiased information to state and local officials, policy makers, community leaders, and members of the general public in urban, suburban, and rural areas alike. As a part of the Karsh Institute of Democracy at the University of Virginia, the Cooper Center is an experiential expression of Karsh’s’s study and support of democracy worldwide, and actively demonstrates UVA’s dedication to public service.

Non-discrimination:

The University of Virginia is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, marital status, national or ethnic origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, veteran status, and family medical or genetic information.

The University of Virginia is an equal opportunity employer. All interested persons are encouraged to apply, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Learn more about UVA’s commitment to non-discrimination and equal opportunity employment.