Admissions Events Manager

Admissions Events Manager

STATUS: Full Time

DIVISION: Enrollment Services

REPORTS TO: Assistant Director of Admissions Marketing, Communications and Events

SUPERVISES: Events and Student Ambassador Coordinator, Scholastics Coordinator, and Student Ambassador team

FLSA STATUS: Exempt

POSITION DESCRIPTION

The Admissions team seeks a team-focused and guest-experience-aware colleague to manage prospective student events for CCS. Reporting to the Assistant Director of Admissions Marketing, Communications and Events, the Admissions Events Manager is responsible for the planning, operational execution, budget administration, and staffing of all admissions and recruitment-related events on-and off-site. Responsibilities are aligned with the CCS Strategic Plan and are aligned directly with the Admissions and Enrollment Services strategic goals and initiatives.

This collaborative role serves as the primary operational lead for campus visit experiences and major Admissions event initiatives. The position manages all event logistics, including staffing, space reservations, equipment rentals, catering, campus access, signage, guest experience and post-event reporting. The Admissions Events Manager will also direct the implementation of the MI Thumb and SE MI Scholastic Art & Writing Awards program (Dec-Mar) and related activities.

Working in partnership with campus staff, faculty, contractors, and external organizations, the Events Manager ensures all Admissions events effectively project the College's art and design brand, support institutional enrollment goals and deliver an exceptional, inclusive experience for prospective students, families, educators and influencers.

POSITION ACCOUNTABILITIES AND ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Event Planning, Budgeting & Execution

• Comprehensive Event Operations: Actively plans, administers, and manages logistics and budgets for a demanding calendar of on- and off-campus recruitment events, including but not limited to:

• Admitted Student Event(s) & Open Houses

• National Portfolio Days & College Fairs

• Art Educator's Receptions

• Monday Morning Talk & Tours, Information Sessions, & Workshops (on- and off-campus)

• Signature initiatives such as Makers Weekend or Scholastic Art & Writing Awards

• MI Thumb & SE MI Scholastic Art & Writing Awards program

• All virtual events including virtual information sessions, online portfolio days, online admitted student events, and more

• Vendor & Logistics Management: Proactively plans and oversees catering, equipment rentals, directional signage, and audio/visual needs for events. Maintains, tracks, and manages the inventory of equipment and supplies required for both on- and off-site programs.

• Financial Operations & Purchasing: Manage RSVPs, purchase orders, receipt of goods, catering, and invoice payments related to all event expenses. Oversee event budgets in alignment with department financial guidelines.

• Association & Organizational Relations: Ensure the College remains in good standing with key professional associations and organizations required for recruitment and event participation.

Team Leadership & Staffing Supervision

• Direct Supervision: Supervise, mentor, and evaluate the Admissions Events staff and day of event staff including a Student Ambassador team. Manage and approve timesheets, travel requests, and expense reports.
• Recruitment Staffing Coordination: Actively support the broader Admissions team by coordinating with admissions counselors, CCS faculty, student ambassadors, or alumni representatives to schedule participation in specific on- or off-site recruitment and portfolio events.

Data, Assessment & MarComm Alignment

• Cross-Campus & Departmental Collaboration: Work closely with academic departments, faculty, Student Affairs, Financial Aid, and campus facilities to secure participation and address space and scheduling needs for events.
• Marketing & Communications Integration: Partner with the Assistant Director to generate and align event promotional messaging, email workflows, registration setups, and SMS campaigns with institutional brand guidelines and CRM best practices (e.g., TargetX/Salesforce).
• Data Tracking & Reporting: Track attendee conversion rates, process post-event check-ins, compile survey feedback, and submit event ROI reports to inform future recruitment strategy.
• Perform additional duties as assigned by the Assistant Director.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor's degree in event management, hospitality, communications, higher education, or a related field OR 3+ years of relevant professional experience in event planning, program execution, or higher education recruitment.
• Demonstrated experience in staff management or small team management, budget administration, purchasing/purchase orders, vendor management, report development, and expense tracking.
• Strong technical proficiency with office productivity software (Microsoft, Google Suite, and Zoom or other scheduling softwares)
• Excellent public speaking, organizational, interpersonal, project management, and written communication skills.
• Ability to foster intercultural competence and build an inclusive, welcoming environment for diverse prospective students and families.
• Willingness and ability to work flexible hours, including frequent evenings and weekends during peak recruitment seasons.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior event management experience within an art and design college or higher education enrollment setting.
• Experience with basic photo editing software (e.g., Adobe Photoshop or Canva for event signage as needed).
• Direct experience managing large scale events including National Portfolio Days or Open House events
• Hands-on experience with higher education CRMs (e.g., TargetX/Salesforce) for registration and attendee management.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

This job operates in a professional office and college campus environment. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. The employee is occasionally exposed to outside weather conditions.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to maintain a stationary position, use a computer and other office equipment, and communicate effectively in person, by phone, and virtually. Frequent interaction with others, including staff, faculty, students and third parties is required. The employee may occasionally be required to move files or other objects weighing up to 25 pounds, including from low and high places. The ability to move around within the office and between buildings on campus, attend off-site meetings and events, and travel between Ford Campus site to Taubman Center site are required. CCS will make reasonable accommodations that will allow individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

ABOUT CCS

The College for Creative Studies (CCS) is a nonprofit, private college accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and authorized by the Michigan Education Department to grant Bachelor's and Master's degrees. CCS, located in midtown Detroit, strives to provide students with the tools needed for successful careers in the dynamic and growing creative industries. CCS fosters students' resolve to pursue excellence, act ethically, engage their responsibilities as citizens, and learn throughout their lives. With world-class faculty and unsurpassed facilities, students learn to be visual communicators who actively use art and design toward the betterment of society. The College is a major supplier of talent to numerous industries, such as transportation, film and animation, advertising and communications, consumer electronics, athletic apparel, and many more. Its graduates are exhibiting artists and teachers, design problem solvers and innovators, as well as creative leaders in business.

The College for Creative Studies, a leading college of art and design, represents a community composed of individuals with many perspectives, personal experiences, values, identities and worldviews and we value what this brings to our organization. CCS is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We consider applicants for all positions without regard to age, race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, height, weight, gender identity, marital or veteran status, disability or any other legally protected status.

The College for Creative Studies subscribes to the principle of equal opportunity in its employment, admissions and educational practices and strives to provide an environment and workplace free from unlawful harassment or discrimination. We encourage applications from all.

To Apply

Applicants are encouraged to apply immediately. The search will close when a suitable candidate is hired. Interested candidates should submit the following in PDF format: Resume and a letter of application should be submitted to: [email protected]