The Office of Institutional Advancement at UMBC (University of Maryland Baltimore County) is seeking a part-time, contractual Events Assistant to support the advancement activities of the division. Reporting to the Director of Advancement Operations, the position will be part of the Operations team and will assist with numerous campus events in a dynamic, high-paced environment.

Key Responsibilities:

1) Develop invitation lists, using numerous sources of data

2) Organize and track RSVP lists

3) Track event expenses and code to appropriate event

4) Code attendees into complex database

The events assistant will develop invitation lists for numerous events, for which each list is unique to the specific event and is compiled from many other sources. In some instances, this position will address  the envelopes through a mail merge and distribute event information to attendees.

The RSVP process is very specific and complex. Maintaining the RSVPs in a timely manner and assuring complete information will be a key component of this position.

Each event may have a variety of funding sources and this position will manage the invoice processing, track all expenses, confirm all funding has been received and code the expenses to the correct event.

The events assistant will enter attendee information into our existing database and work with the database director on appropriate coding. This information becomes the basis for future invitation lists.

Qualifications:
Successful candidate will have a Bachelor’s degree (required) and preferably 1-2 years of experience working with data, systems and/or event support in a complex environment The qualified candidate will have skills, abilities and knowledge in the following:

• Strong Microsoft office skills and expert fluency with Excel
• Experience with complex databases and in particular, SunGard Advance
• Detail oriented team player with exceptional time management and organizational skills
• Ability to work under pressure with deadlines
• Strong customer service orientation
• Desire to work with events in a “behind the scenes” role and to assist with events in the “front of house” on occasion

To Apply:
Submit a cover letter, resume, and contact information for three references by August 22, 2014 (resumes will be accepted until the position is filled) via online at oia@umbc.edu or via mail to:

Events Assistant Search Committee
Office of Institutional Advancement
UMBC
Admin Bldg
1000 Hilltop Circle
Baltimore MD 21250

Please note that only those candidates for future consideration will be contacted.

Check out other employment opportunities with UMBC.

2014 Alumni Award Winners

Engineering and Information Technology
Dr. Claudia Pearce ’89 M.S., ’94 Ph.D., Computer Science
Senior Computer Science Authority, NSA

Humanities
Donna Lewis ’86, English
Attorney, U.S. Department of Homeland Security

Natural and Mathematical Sciences
Michael Adelstein ’96, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
CEO, Potomac Photonics, Inc. 

Social and Behavioral Sciences
Kaliope Parthemos ’93, Psychology
Chief of Staff, Office of Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake

Visual and Performing Arts
Hadieh Shafie ’04 M.F.A., Imaging and Digital Arts 
Independent Artist

Distinguished Service
Gib Mason ’95, Economics
Chief Operating Officer & Director of the Center for Leadership and Innovation, UMBC Training Centers

Rising Star
Isaac Kinde ’05, Biological Sciences
M.D./Ph.D. Candidate, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

Outstanding Faculty 
Dr. Anne Spence
Professor of the Practice, Department of Mechanical Engineering

What do I do with last semester’s books I don’t need anymore? Sell them online? Deal with shipping and fees? Nah, I’ll Backpack ‘Em!

You may remember Textbook Swapper from the Cangialosi Business Innovation Competition. Andrew Mavronicolas, Tyler Jaeger, Man Lee, and Jones Moses were one of the runners up at the competition, but had a great idea that will immensely help the students at UMBC, and well beyond.

Textbook Swapper’s initial product was to provide a marketplace for students to buy and sell textbooks amongst each other. There was no need to pay the marked up prices of many of the online web services and to deal with the mishaps of shipping mistakes or returns.

Well, they have been working in stealth mode for a few months, developing, testing, and tweaking…now, they are ready to launch their pilot version to the public.

One of the biggest changes is that the company doesn’t just do textbooks anymore. It’s truly a marketplace for students and will allow you to sell anything within your campus community, provided it’s school appropriate. Therefore, Textbook Swapper is now called Backpack ‘Em, LLC.

It’s easy to use, and is only accessible through your UMBC account. You login and easily search through the university's course listing. If you’re selling, you simply fill out a quick form, come up with a price, and you’re off.

Buying is quick as well. Look up books by course or department. No need for an ISBN number. Then simply message the person selling it to setup a time and place to meet on campus. It’s that easy and painless.

Did I mention that it’s being offered FREE OF CHARGE to students?

Their test users have suggested using the service for furniture, housing, lab equipment, and concert tickets…but the possibilities are endless.

UMBC is the launching site and testing ground for Backpack ‘Em, but the company expects to be at other universities within the school year.

To learn more about Backpack 'Em, visit their website...but to get started using the service, visit their site just for UMBC students: umbc.backpackem.com and start listing your stuff. You can also connect with the company on Facebook.

We’ll also be featuring Andrew Mavronicolas, the CEO of Backpack ‘Em in an upcoming Spotlight next week.