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Job Category:
Academic Staff
Employment Type:
Regular
Job Profile:
Administrative Specialist
Job Summary:
This position coordinates sponsorship activation and engagement initiatives across Wisconsin Union venues, including Union South, Memorial Union, the Terrace, Sett Recreation, and Sett Pub.
The role focuses on implementing sponsorship activation strategies that support revenue generation, increase participation and attendance, enhance venue visibility, and strengthen long-term partnership opportunities tied to existing Wisconsin Union events, festivals, recreation activities, watch parties, and venue operations.
Responsibilities include coordinating sponsor deliverables, supporting activation logistics, assisting with high-traffic Union events, and developing engagement initiatives designed to increase customer traffic, support sales growth, and enhance the value of Union sponsorship opportunities. The position is intended to support and enhance existing Union activities rather than create independent programming structures.
The position works collaboratively with Dining, Programming, Marketing, Facilities, Event Services, and Sponsorship partners to ensure activation efforts align with operational priorities, existing programming structures, and revenue-focused objectives.
In this role, you’ll collaborate with campus partners to enhance events such as Badger Bash, Terrace festivals, and other large-scale initiatives by developing interactive activation concepts and ensuring seamless execution. You’ll also support recreation-based programming, including bowling and gaming operations, while helping drive visibility, participation, and revenue through innovative event enhancements. This is an ideal opportunity for someone who enjoys both creative idea development and hands-on execution, thrives in a fast-paced environment, and is excited to contribute to dynamic, student-centered experiences.
Work Schedule and Location:
During the academic year, the schedule is Monday-Wednesday: 1pm-9pm, Tuesday-Friday 9am-5pm
During the summer, the schedule is Tuesday-Thursday: 9am-5pm, Friday-Saturday 1pm-9pm
There may be occasions during the year where this position will be outside
Physical Demands:
Ability to lift 10 pounds occasionally
Ability to carry 30 pounds occasionally
Ability to push 200 pounds occasionally
Key Job Responsibilities:
- Serves on committees and attends meetings, representing the interests of the unit or program
- Schedules logistics and secures resources for a designated work unit to contribute to the day-to-day operational success
Sett Recreation & Sett Pub Engagement and Venue Activation -25%
- Support engagement initiatives within Sett Recreation and Sett Pub spaces, including bowling, billiards, arcade gaming, esports, trivia, watch parties, and related activities.
- Assist in coordinating bowling leagues, tournaments, promotions, themed recreation events, and venue-based engagement initiatives designed to increase participation, traffic, and venue utilization.
- Collaborate with Sett Recreation, Dining, and Programming staff to support engagement initiatives and operational coordination tied to events and activations.
- Support activation opportunities connected to Sett Recreation, Sett Pub, and existing Union programming.
- Serve as Advisor to the UW Bowling Team, providing organizational guidance and institutional coordination.
- Assist in identifying opportunities to increase participation, sponsorship visibility, customer engagement, and revenue opportunities within Sett Recreation and Sett Pub operations.
- Analyzes data and trends, compiles progress reports, and provides appropriate recommendations or conclusions in support of the assigned operational work unit(s)
Revenue & Sponsorship Support - 15%
- Assist leadership in identifying sponsorship opportunities tied to existing Union events and venue activities.
- Track sponsorship fulfillment elements, activation-related metrics, and participation trends.
- Support revenue-generating initiatives connected to activations, recreation engagement, and venue-based experiences.
- Assist in monitoring activation effectiveness and sponsor engagement outcomes.
- Provide recommendations related to sponsor visibility, customer engagement, participation growth, and activation improvements.
- Assists, recommends, and advises staff on unit or program administrative issues, personnel matters, and budgetary problems
Operational & Event Support - 15%
- Coordinate logistical needs related to sponsorship activations and event-based initiatives.
- Work collaboratively with Dining, Facilities, Programming, Marketing, and Event Services to support successful execution of activation initiatives.
- Support operational coordination for sponsorship setups, engagement activities, and venue activations.
- Ensure activation initiatives align with established Union operational procedures and programming structures.
Student & Intern Supervision - 5%
- Supervise student leads and interns supporting activation initiatives, including Bolz interns.
- Assign responsibilities and provide feedback related to event execution and engagement activities.
- Support onboarding and training of student team members.
- Provide event-level direction during activations in coordination with professional staff.
- Implements and executes established policies and procedures for a designated work unit to adhere to unit objectives and to align with established strategies
Revenue Generating Sponsorship & Activation Coordination - 40%
- Coordinate sponsorship activations designed to increase customer traffic, participation, and revenue opportunities across Wisconsin Union venues.
- Support sponsorship initiatives tied to existing revenue-producing events, festivals, watch parties, and venue operations.
- Coordinate activation calendars to align sponsorship efforts with operational priorities and existing event schedules.
- Assist in developing activation concepts that strengthen sponsor value while increasing attendance, visibility, food and beverage participation, and venue engagement.
- Support sponsorship activation components for Terrace festivals, Badger Bash, UW sports watch events, and other large-scale Union initiatives.
- Coordinate with Marketing to support promotional alignment and sponsor visibility efforts.
- Ensure operational readiness and successful on-site execution of activation initiatives.
- Support implementation and tracking of sponsor deliverables and fulfillment elements tied to sponsorship agreements.
- Identify opportunities to expand sponsor visibility through activations that enhance customer engagement and operational revenue performance.
- Coordinate activation efforts that support long-term sponsorship growth and partnership retention.
Department:
Wisconsin Union, Services and Facilities, Operations
Compensation:
The expected starting salary is $52,000.
This position offers a comprehensive benefits package, including generous paid time off, competitively priced health/dental/vision/life insurance, tax-advantaged savings accounts, and participation in the nationally recognized Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) pension fund. For a summary of benefits, please see:
https://www.wisconsin.edu/ohrwd/benefits/download/fasl.pdf
Required Qualifications:
One year of experience coordinating events, activations, or programs, including planning and on-site
Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects and priorities in a fast-paced environment
Strong organizational and communication skills, with the ability to collaborate across teams
Experience working with or supporting student staff, interns, or volunteers
Ability to work a flexible schedule, including evenings and weekends, based on event needs
Preferred Qualifications:
Experience supporting large-scale events or high-visibility initiatives
Experience with sponsorship activation, promotions, or partner deliverables
Experience working in a higher education, student union, or campus environment
Familiarity with recreation or gaming operations (e.g., bowling, billiards, arcade)
Experience tracking budgets, participation metrics, or event performance data
Ability to contribute creative ideas for event enhancements and activation concepts
How to Apply:
Click the "Apply" button to start the application process.
You will be prompted to upload the following documents:
Applicants should attach a cover letter and resume detailing their training and experience relating to the required and preferred qualifications referenced above. The application reviewers will be relying on written application materials to determine which qualified applicants will advance in the recruitment process.
Contact Information:
Jenny Lee, jenny.lee2@wisc.edu, 608-265-1157
Institutional Statement on Diversity:
Diversity is a source of strength, creativity, and innovation for UW-Madison. We value the contributions of each person and respect the profound ways their identity, culture, background, experience, status, abilities, and opinion enrich the university community. We commit ourselves to the pursuit of excellence in teaching, research, outreach, and diversity as inextricably linked goals.
The University of Wisconsin-Madison fulfills its public mission by creating a welcoming and inclusive community for people from every background - people who as students, faculty, and staff serve Wisconsin and the world.
The University of Wisconsin-Madison is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, including but not limited to, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, or status as a protected veteran and other bases as defined by federal regulations and UW System policies. We promote excellence by acknowledging skills and expertise from all backgrounds and encourage all qualified individuals to apply. For more information regarding applicant and employee rights and to view federal and state required postings, visit the Human Resources Workplace Poster website.
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