We are seeking a high-energy, organized, collaborative, Student Center Entertainment & Programming Coordinator to build a student-friendly, engaging entertainment schedule for a new student center. The Student Center Entertainment & Programming Coordinator is responsible for activating a restaurant/pub space within the university student center through engaging, high-energy programming designed to appeal to undergraduate and graduate students. This position ensures the venue is programmed every night it is open, Tuesday through Saturday, with events such as trivia nights, karaoke, bingo, live music, pool tournaments, Talks on Tap, game watch events, themed social events, and other student-focused entertainment.
In addition to planning and executing programming in the restaurant/pub venue, the coordinator will work closely with restaurant management to develop complementary food and beverage specials, promote events through a variety of marketing channels, and serve as host for events to create a welcoming and vibrant student experience. Additionally, this position supports the Director of BSC Programming and Graduate Engagement and partners with BSC building staff on planning and implementation of events and activities throughout the student center.
Specific Duties & Responsibilities
Venue Activation and Event Programming
Develop and implement a regular weekly entertainment calendar for the restaurant/pub space, ensuring programming occurs every Tuesday through Saturday night.
Plan events and activities that appeal to diverse undergraduate and graduate student populations utilizing student center and student engagement data. This includes singular and recurring events such as trivia, bingo, live performances, karaoke, and game nights and tournaments.
Compile and regularly report on key factors such as cost, attendance, and outcomes.
Entertainment Booking and Vendor Coordination
Identify, book, and manage entertainment acts, hosts, emcees, musicians, and other event partners within the designated budget.
Negotiate rates, confirm event details, facilitate JHU contract process, and maintain communication with vendors and performers.
Ensure all entertainment arrangements align with university policies, student center policies, and budget guidelines.
Marketing and Promotion
Create and implement marketing strategies to promote upcoming events and build awareness of the venue.
Collaborate with Student Affairs Communications and Marketing, School contacts across the University, Hopkins Dining General Manager, student organizations, and campus partners to maximize reach.
Develop event promotion materials including digital signage, social media posts, flyers, and calendar listings following Mo’s brand identity and University branding guidelines.
Track attendance and engagement to evaluate the effectiveness of promotional efforts.
Restaurant Collaboration and Food Special Coordination
Work with restaurant management to identify and promote food and beverage specials tied to event programming.
Partner with restaurant management on event-night menus or promotions that enhance the student experience and support venue traffic.
Ensure event programming aligns with operational needs and customer service standards.
Event Hosting and On-Site Management
Serve as host or emcee for events as needed, creating an energetic and inclusive atmosphere.
Oversee event setup, execution, and breakdown in coordination with student center staff and venue management.
Troubleshoot event-related issues in real time and ensure events run smoothly and safely.
Provide excellent customer service and foster a positive student-centered environment.
Student Center Support
Assist the Director for Bloomberg Student Center Programming and Graduate Engagement with additional student center activities, events, and initiatives as assigned.
Collaborate with BSC building staff to ensure there is a coordinated approach to programming.
Support campus-wide engagement efforts and contribute to the overall vibrancy of the student center.
Help coordinate special events, welcome week activities, and collaborative student engagement opportunities.
Special Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
Creative thinker with the ability to develop fresh, engaging programming ideas.
Strong project management and multitasking abilities.
Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment.
Comfort speaking publicly and engaging with diverse student audiences.
Attention to detail and strong problem-solving skills.
Commitment to student engagement, inclusion, and community-building.
Strong interpersonal, organizational, and communication skills.
Ability to work evenings and weekends, including Tuesday through Saturday nights.
Demonstrated ability to engage college students and create inclusive, welcoming environments.
Experience working collaboratively with multiple stakeholders, including student organizations, campus departments, vendors, and venue staff.
Proficiency with marketing tools and social media platforms.
Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously in a fast-paced environment.
Ability to assess and make pivots to programs and venue activation based on reported data and student/venue needs.
Familiarity with entertainment booking, live event logistics, and promotional strategy.
Knowledge of food and beverage operations or hospitality environments.
Work Schedule
This position requires a flexible schedule with regular evening and weekend hours from late August until late May. The programming schedule will primarily occur Tuesday through Saturday evenings, with additional hours required for planning, preparation, and support of other student center events.
This is a one-year position starting as soon as possible and ending in late May, with the possibility of extending to a full-time position.
Minimum Qualifications:
High school diploma or graduation equivalent.
Five years of related experience.
Experience in coordinating events in a higher education or comparable setting.
Due to alcohol service at some events, must be at least 21 years of age.
Additional education may substitute for required experience and additional related experience may substitute for required education beyond high school diploma/graduation equivalent, to the extent permitted by the JHU equivalency formula.
Preferred Qualifications:
Bachelor’s Degree.
Experience in higher education, student affairs, or campus life programming.
Experience hosting events or serving as emcee.
Experience designing programs that engage both undergraduate and graduate students.
About JHU
The Johns Hopkins University was America’s first research university, founded for the express purpose of expanding knowledge and putting that knowledge to work for the good of humanity. Today, Johns Hopkins has approximately 6,500 faculty, 6,200 undergraduate students, and 17,600 graduate students across 230 degree programs at the baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral levels. JHU has multiple campuses in Baltimore and campuses serving graduate students in DC, Italy, and China. Johns Hopkins stands alone among top research universities in its extraordinary commitment of attention and resources to ensuring student success and particularly those from first-generation or limited income (FLI) backgrounds, making bold, sustained, and dramatic investments in the student experience over the last 15 years.
Student Affairs at JHU
Student Affairs on the Homewood campus is made up of 23 departments ranging from On-Campus Living, Dining, Athletics and Campus Recreation, to Student Engagement, Student Conduct, Student Transitions and Family Engagement, Center for Student Success, Center for Social Concern, and University Student Services administrative units like Human Resources, IT, and Communications.
Role
Student Affairs at Johns Hopkins champions student success and we cultivate a student experience that empowers students to thrive and achieve their dreams. Student Affairs educates beyond the classrooms, helping students to deepen their self-awareness, develop relationships, nurture inclusion, and find fulfillment in the collegiate experience to ensure lifelong success and meaningful contributions to our global community. Our culture is defined by our commitment to the “Aspirations for Student Learning,” which play a critical role in helping us fulfill our mission. We challenge, encourage, and support students to:
Live with curiosity
Deepen self-awareness
Engage in meaningful collaboration
Grow in confidence
Practice responsible leadership
Student Affairs enjoys a close relationship with Academic Affairs at JHU, and with shared responsibility for delivering on one of the University’s highest priorities: ensuring that highly talented students from a wide range of backgrounds, regardless of their ability to pay, thrive during and after their time at JHU. We work closely with our colleagues in Student Health and Well-Being, Academic Affairs, Integrated Learning and Life Design, and the Office of Diversity and Inclusion to ensure students can take full advantage of all that JHU has to offer.
Our team is seeking student-centered, success-oriented professionals who want to make a difference in students’ lives. Ideal candidates in Student Affairs are curious, solution‑seeking, have a can‑do attitude, and are committed to the dignity and equity of all persons. If you enjoy student-centered work, work focused on building relationships and fostering community, that is rarely the same day‑to‑day, engaging with both college students and colleagues in‑person as well as virtually, and have an entrepreneurial spirit, we want you to join us!
Student Affairs Statement on Inclusion and Belonging
At Johns Hopkins we strive to be a model of a pluralism in which our students, faculty, and staff of all backgrounds, identities, and perspectives recognize, engage, and learn with and from each other. We seek to foster a welcoming and inclusive community where all members feel supported, are able to learn and participate fully, and believe that they belong and matter.
We believe that the broad range of talents, cultures, identities, and experiences of our community members are core to our ability to deliver exceptional student development and learning experiences and achieve excellence in all we do.
We strive to support a student experience where academic, leadership, and community engagement opportunities spur discovery and learning; encourage a respect for, and valuing of, the perspectives of others; and foster a sense of belonging and connection across our student, broader university, and Baltimore communities.
We aim to create an environment where our students feel invited to learn from and contribute to the learning of others through the sharing and honoring of each other’s perspectives, identities, cultures, talents, and experiences.
Classified Title: Sr. Events Coordinator
Job Posting Title (Working Title): Student Center Entertainment & Programming Coordinator (Student Affairs)
Role/Level/Range: ATO 37.5/03/OF
Starting Salary Range: $21.80 - $37.80 HRLY ($30.00 targeted; Commensurate w/exp.)
Employee group: Casual / On Call
Schedule: Mon - Fri / 08:30am - 05:00pm
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
Location: Homewood Campus
Department name: Student Affairs
Personnel area: University Student Services
