Assistant Director, Major Events and Programs, QuadEx

Duke University:

Duke University was created in 1924 through an indenture of trust by James Buchanan Duke. Today, Duke is regarded as one of Americas leading research universities. Located in Durham, North Carolina, Duke is positioned in the heart of the Research Triangle, which is ranked annually as one of the best places in the country to work and live. Duke has more than 15,000 students who study and conduct research in its 10 undergraduate, graduate and professional schools. With about 40,000 employees, Duke is the third largest private employer in North Carolina, and it now has international programs in more than 150 countries.

Be You.

At Duke, we believe involvement is leadershipand every students experience matters. As the Assistant Director, QuadEx & Student Programming, you will join a collaborative Student Involvement and Leadership team dedicated to creating meaningful, inclusive, and joy-filled co-curricular experiences. In this role, youll advise and empower student leaders, support major campus traditions, and help cultivate a strong sense of belonging and well-being for all students.

Youll work closely with student leaders from Duke University Union (DUU), campus partners, and the broader Durham community to ensure Dukes programs reflect our shared values, celebrate diverse perspectives, and foster leadership growth.

Be Bold.

This role calls for a thoughtful leader who thrives in a fast-paced, student-centered environment and is excited to guide large-scale programs from idea to impact.

What Youll Do

Advise & Develop Student Leaders

• Provide strategic advising to large-scale student governing and coordinating bodies, including Duke University Union (DUU), supporting effective self-governance, organizational sustainability, and mission alignment.
• Mentor student leaders through the full event lifecyclefrom concept development and budgeting to risk assessment, execution, and post-event evaluation.
• Design and deliver training on leadership development, programming procedures, facilities usage, contracts and negotiations, team building, publicity, and needs assessment.
• Guide students in navigating complex relationships and negotiations with university administrators, faculty, staff, and peers.
• Advise on university policies related to contracts, performers, vendors, risk management, safety planning, and compliance.

Lead Major Events & Signature Programming

• Plan, coordinate, and execute large-scale, university-wide events for students, prospective students, alumni, and external constituents.
• Develop and manage project plans, timelines, and logistics, including space reservations, technical needs, catering, staffing, and vendor contracts.
• Design programs that authentically showcase Dukes campus culture, leadership pathways, and involvement opportunities.
• Partner with Undergraduate Admissions, academic units, student organizations, and Student Affairs colleagues to deliver safe, engaging, and memorable experiences.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for assigned major events, ensuring clear communication and shared expectations across stakeholders.
• Manage budgets and steward funds that support Dukes student traditions.

Supervise & Support Staff and Operations

• Provide day-to-day supervision, training, evaluation, and performance management for graduate assistants and student staff.
• Oversee budgets and expenditures in alignment with University and Student Involvement and Leadership policies.
• Support evening and weekend programs as part of a collaborative QuadEx team.
• Contribute to departmental decision-making and strategic planning through assessment data, student engagement trends, and frontline advising insights.

Strengthen University & Community Partnerships

• Collaborate with campus partners to support university-sponsored initiatives and signature events.
• Serve as the primary Student Affairs liaison to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions for yield programming.
• Foster reciprocal relationships with academic departments, administrative units, and Durham community partners.
• Represent the department in interdepartmental working groups focused on recruitment, engagement, and community connection.

Other Responsibilities

• Contribute to administrative projects, committees, and special initiatives as assigned.

Choose Duke.

Duke University offers a dynamic, mission-driven environment where innovation, collaboration, and student success are at the center of our work. Here, youll have the opportunity to shape transformative student experiences, steward meaningful traditions, and grow as a leader within one of the nations premier institutions.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelors degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• At least two years of experience in higher education, student programming, personnel administration, or a related field.

Strongly Preferred

• Masters degree in Higher Education, Student Affairs, or a related discipline.
• Experience advising student organizations, governance bodies, or leadership programs.

Preferred Skills & Experience

• Experience with large-scale event planning, admissions or recruitment programming, and project management.
• Knowledge of student development, social identity development, and student governance.
• Understanding of compliance frameworks in higher education.
• Strong communication skills with diverse stakeholders, including students, families, university leadership, and external vendors.
• Ability to balance year-round programming with peak event seasons.

Ready to Make a Difference?

Apply today and help shape the experiences that define Dukewhere students lead boldly, community thrives, and involvement becomes leadership.

Anticipated Pay Range: Duke University provides an annual base salary range for this position as USD $47,940.00 to USD $75,990.00. Duke University considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position; candidates work experience, education/training, and key skills; internal peer equity; as well as market and organizational considerations when extending an offer.

Your total compensation goes beyond the dollars on your paycheck. Duke provides comprehensive and competitive medical and dental care programs, generous retirement benefits, and a wide array of family-friendly and cultural programs to eligible team members. Learn more at: https://hr.duke.edu/benefits/

Equal Opportunity Employer: Duke is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individuals age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy and pregnancy- related conditions), sexual orientation, or military status.

Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideasan exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.

Essential Physical Job Functions:

Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essential job functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and reasonable accommodation(s) can be requested with Duke Access and Accommodations Services (email: DAAS@duke.edu; phone: 919-668-1267).