Fast Facts

The Commencement Planning Specialist at WGU is responsible for coordinating and managing various aspects of commencement events, ensuring a positive experience for graduates and their families.

Responsibilities: Key responsibilities include managing RSVP processes, vendor coordination, budget tracking, logistics for commencement weekends, and providing customer support.

Skills: Required skills include strong communication, organizational and project management abilities, and proficiency in Salesforce and Microsoft Office.

Qualifications: Preferred qualifications include a bachelor's degree and two years of office experience, with a focus on customer service and event management.

Location: This position is based at WGU's headquarters in Salt Lake City, UT, and requires in-office work four days a week.

Compensation: $49100 - $71200 / Annually

If you’re passionate about building a better future for individuals, communities, and our country—and you’re committed to working hard to play your part in building that future—consider WGU as the next step in your career.

Driven by a mission to expand access to higher education through online, competency-based degree programs, WGU is also committed to being a great place to work for a diverse workforce of student-focused professionals. The university has pioneered a new way to learn in the 21st century, one that has received praise from academic, industry, government, and media leaders. Whatever your role, working for WGU gives you a part to play in helping students graduate, creating a better tomorrow for themselves and their families.

The salary range for this position takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to skill sets; experience and training; licensure and certifications; and other business and organizational needs.

At WGU, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range for their position, and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. A reasonable estimate of the current range is:

Grade: Services 207Pay Range: $49,100.00 - $71,200.00

Job Description

Location: This position requires you to work in office 4 days a week at the WGU headquarters: 4001 South 700 East Salt Lake City, UT 84107. 

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

• Serve as a primary contact for answering, resolving, and archiving incoming calls and emails.
• Manage assignments for commencement weekends, including the RSVP process for each ceremony, regular commencement reporting, and all commencement communication
• Assist commencement planners with vendor and logistical coordination for assigned commencements.
• Assist with tracking expenses, submitting invoices, obtaining requisitions and purchase orders, and payment follow up as needed for assigned commencements.
• Manage travel logistics with Commencement Manager, including hotels, buses, venues, and other needs as necessary
• Select and provide support to vendors to ensure staff and graduates have the necessary commencement-related resources
• Work closely with Event Logistic team to research and select appropriate vendors
• Support graduate experience by assisting with RSVP process for each ceremony, regular commencement reporting, and commencement communication
• Logistical support on site during commencement weekends
• Collaborate with team members on commencement assignments such as catering, graduate speaker selection, ambassador, and faculty support, etc.
• Assist with tracking expenses, submitting invoices, obtaining requisitions and purchase orders, and payment follow up as needed for all commencements
• Perform customer service functions, including answering phones, returning emails, and assisting graduates with their requests and needs
• Other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Analytical: Driven by understanding metrics, what they mean and how to continually improve
• Creative: Willing to collaborate with others to brainstorm and implement new and better ways of delivering a stellar graduate experience
• Working knowledge of Salesforce, Microsoft Office Suite
• Experience in procurement, accounts payable, and other finance support preferred
• Ability to work as part of a team
• Great communication skills
• Critical thinking and decision-making
• Self-motivation
• Good time and project management
• Must be organized and detail oriented                   
• Experience working as part of a team
• Ability to follow up and ensure deadlines are met
• Effective communication and editing skills (written and verbal)
• Demonstrate professionalism that displays effective judgment and professional integrity
• Knowledge of and experience working with Microsoft Office, Salesforce, and other database systems

Minimum Qualifications:

• High school or degree (bachelor’s degree preferred)
• Two years’ previous office experience
• Strong customer service, communication, and interpersonal skills
• Strong organizational skills
• Attention to detail
• Project and/or event management experience a plus
• Ability to travel and work commencement weekends

Physical Requirements:

• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times.

Position & Application Details

Full-Time Regular Positions (classified as regular and working 40 standard weekly hours): This is a full-time, regular position (classified for 40 standard weekly hours) that is eligible for bonuses; medical, dental, vision, telehealth and mental healthcare; health savings account and flexible spending account; basic and voluntary life insurance; disability coverage; accident, critical illness and hospital indemnity supplemental coverages; legal and identity theft coverage; retirement savings plan; wellbeing program; discounted WGU tuition; and flexible paid time off for rest and relaxation with no need for accrual, flexible paid sick time with no need for accrual, 11 paid holidays, and other paid leaves, including up to 12 weeks of parental leave.

How to Apply: If interested, an application will need to be submitted online. Internal WGU employees will need to apply through the internal job board in Workday.

Additional Information

Disclaimer: The job posting highlights the most critical responsibilities and requirements of the job. It’s not all-inclusive.

Accommodations: Applicants with disabilities who require assistance or accommodation during the application or interview process should contact our Talent Acquisition team at [email protected].

Equal Employment Opportunity: All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any protected characteristic as required by law.