A cover letter is required for consideration for this position. The cover letter should specifically address why you are interested in this position, describe specific skills and experiences in your history, and directly relate them to the responsibilities of, and qualifications for, this position. In order for the Career Portal system to accept your cover letter, include it as the first page of your resume document.

We are looking for a Meeting/Special Events Planner to join the Data Collection Operations unit at the Institute for Social Research (ISR), Survey Research Center (SRC), Survey Research Operations (SRO).

The Meeting/Special Events Planner will manage training and meeting logistics within SRO, under the supervision of the Meeting and Special Events Manager. This person will manage all aspects of training, meetings, and events for both Ann Arbor-based and decentralized, national data collection efforts. The successful candidate will demonstrate willingness and ability to be organized, thorough, and professional in a variety of situations. Evening and weekend work, as well as travel, are necessary on occasion. 

More information about our organization can be found here: https://src.isr.umich.edu/services/survey-research-operations/

Responsible for planning meeting and training logistics

• Prepare agendas and relevant materials. 

• Draft correspondence and training materials with critical attention paid to grammar, punctuation, spelling and attention to detail.

• Conduct training material inventory and manage meeting equipment, displays, promotional items, electronic and printed promotional efforts.

• Arrange and schedule services and venue logistics from external vendors and internal U-M departments.

• Maintain confidential files, records, and communications.

• Schedule and attend appointments and meetings.

Responsible for implementation of SRO trainings, meetings, and events

• Schedule rooms and off-site facilities.

• Communicate with event participants and vendors, including logistics letters, request for proposals, follow-up calls, visits and appointments, personal interactions at events, and other tasks as assigned.

• Assure proper and timely set up of audiovisual and other elements of site coordination set up.

   

Create and monitor event budgets, contracts and expenses

• Ensure financial stewardship through planning and negotiating of training/meeting expenses (catering, accommodations, supplies, etc.).

Coordinate travel arrangements for staff

Functionally supervise staff members 

• Oversight of 3 -5 temporary staff involved in training/meeting planning and execution

Other duties as assigned

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in related field and/or equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Minimum of two years of experience planning and executing meetings and event planning.

Job Skills 

• Experience in MS Office software and Google Workspace tools.

• Flexible schedule and ability to work early mornings, evenings, and weekends as needed.

• Ability to travel to, and work at, a variety of event and meeting locations.

• Ability to travel overnight as required to meet project needs.

• Ability to transport equipment and supplies weighing up to 50 pounds to event venues for event execution needs; must be able to staff a check-in desk during an entire shift and be able to move throughout the event venue space to execute event needs. 

• Expected to work with minimum supervision and demonstrate initiative as well as original thought and ingenuity.

• Flexibility to meet changing priorities.

Communication Skills

• Ability to work collaboratively and communicate effectively with staff at all levels and under tight deadlines.

• Ability to maintain confidentiality following department guidelines.

• Excellent written, verbal, and organizational skills.

This position involves traveling to various locations on and off campus to deliver materials. If the successful candidate opts to use U-M vehicles to fulfill this requirement, they must comply with the University Vehicle Operator's policy: https://ltp.umich.edu/fleet/policies-and-procedures/

• Advanced skills with document formatting in MS Office and use of Google Workspace tools

• Advanced skills with databases in MS Office

• Three or more years of experience planning and executing meetings and event planning

• Considerable knowledge of University of Michigan policies and procedures is helpful

• Experience reviewing and preparing expense reports/PCard reconciliation

• Experience in U-M systems

• Certified Meeting Planner (CMP)

In addition to a career filled with purpose and opportunity, the University of Michigan offers a comprehensive benefits package to help you stay well, protect yourself and any eligible family members and plan for a secure future. Benefits include:

• Generous time off

• A retirement plan that provides two-for-one matching contributions with immediate vesting upon meeting eligibility requirements

• Many choices for comprehensive health insurance

• Life insurance

• Long-term disability coverage

• Flexible spending accounts for healthcare and dependent care expenses

Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes.

The typical schedule is Monday-Friday, days. Evening/weekend work and travel will be necessary at times.

This position requires being on-site at the University of Michigan offices in Ann Arbor. If the project tasks assigned, job performance, and SRC policy allow, the option for a hybrid schedule including off-site work may be available after an initial period of orientation.

Salary will be dependent upon qualifications and experience of the selected candidate.

The Institute for Social Research (ISR) at the University of Michigan seeks to create a community of respect and authentic collaboration by recruiting and retaining individuals that represent a variety of voices as a reflection of our commitment to serve the people of Michigan, to maintain the excellence of the university, and to ground our research in varied disciplines, perspectives, and ways of knowing and learning.

The University of Michigan conducts background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer and may use a third-party administrator to conduct background checks. Background checks are performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

Job openings are posted for a minimum of fourteen (14) calendar days. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled any time after the minimum posting period has ended.

The University of Michigan is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.