Director, University Protocol - Office of the President

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• Generous Retirement Contributions: The State contributes over 15% of your gross salary. With your mandatory employee contribution, the total contribution toward your retirement plan exceeds 19%.
• Exceptional Health & Prescription Coverage: Enjoy access to medical, dental, and vision insurance with competitive employer contributions, which include 4 deductible options to suit your needs.
• Paid Time Off: Benefit from ample vacation, sick leave, paid holidays, and paid winter closure.
• Tuition Waiver: Employees and eligible dependents can take advantage of tuition waivers, supporting continuous education and professional growth.
• Wellness and Employee Assistance Programs: Stay healthy with wellness initiatives, counseling services, and mental health resources.

At the University of Wyoming, we are committed to creating a supportive and enriching workplace. To learn more about what we offer, please refer to UW’s Benefits Summary.

JOB TITLE: 

Director, University Protocol

JOB PURPOSE:  

The University of Wyoming seeks a Director of University Protocol to serve at the center of presidential engagement for Wyoming’s flagship land-grant and R1 research university. Reporting to the President’s Chief of Staff, the director will shape how UW welcomes the world, bringing national and international leaders from business, government, and the military to campus through the President’s Scholar Leader in Residence program and leading the President’s most important events.

This is a rare opportunity to support the President with the university’s highest profile engagements. The director will design high-profile visits that advance the President’s strategic goals, lead signature events such as the President’s Commencement Dinner and investitures, direct the President’s athletics hospitality, and oversee official hosting at the President’s residence and cabin. Working closely with the UW Foundation, the Alumni Association, and senior university leaders, the director will build relationships that strengthen partnerships, support fundraising, and elevate UW’s national profile.

As UW’s primary authority on protocol, the director will also set university-wide standards that ensure every distinguished guest receives a consistent, exceptional experience. The ideal candidate brings sound judgment, polish, and creativity to every engagement, and is excited to represent a university with a proud history and an ambitious future in one of the most extraordinary places in the country.

The Director of University Protocol provides strategic leadership for university-wide protocol standards, presidential engagements, and high-profile institutional events. The position directs presidential programs and distinguished guest engagements, provides leadership for major university events, and oversees official use of the President’s residence and cabin. The Director develops university-wide policies, procedures, and training to promote consistent, professional practices. In collaboration with the President, senior university leadership, and campus partners, the Director exercises independent judgment to advance institutional priorities, strengthen strategic relationships, and protect the university’s reputation. The position also administers the protocol budget and negotiates related contracts. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provides strategic leadership for presidential programs and distinguished guest engagements. Develops program objectives and engagement plans that align with presidential priorities, coordinates complex schedules and activities, prepares executive briefings, and resolves competing priorities and changing requirements to achieve intended outcomes.

• Serves as the university’s subject matter expert on protocol, etiquette, and distinguished guest hosting. Develops and implements university-wide policies, procedures, guidelines, and training to promote consistent practices across decentralized units. Evaluates existing practices, identifies institutional risks and opportunities for improvement, and advises campus leaders on matters affecting professional standards and institutional reputation.

• Leads the planning and execution of major presidential, Board of Trustees, athletic, and institutional events. Establishes objectives and oversees event planning, guest engagement, hospitality, and protocol requirements in collaboration with campus partners to ensure events align with institutional priorities and university standards.

• Develops and coordinates communications strategies for presidential programs and high-profile engagements. Collaborates with university communications and other partners to ensure messaging and outreach support engagement objectives and maintain consistent, professional representation of the university.

• Develops and administers the annual protocol budget, monitors expenditures, and approves authorized transactions. Negotiates contracts for protocol-related activities and services, ensuring responsible resource management and compliance with applicable university requirements.

• Builds and maintains strategic relationships with university leaders and internal and external partners. Coordinates resources, resolves competing priorities, and facilitates collaboration across organizational boundaries to support presidential initiatives, strengthen institutional partnerships, and advance university objectives.

• Oversees the use of the President’s residence and cabin for official university purposes. Coordinates hosting plans, guest experience, operational needs, and maintenance with appropriate university partners to support presidential engagements and official hospitality.

COMPETENCIES:

• Strategic Planning
• Judgement
• Initiative
• Collaboration
• Influence
• Negotiation
• Conflict Management
• Attention to Detail

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• EDUCATION: Bachelor’s degree in communications, public relations, hospitality management, business administration, event management, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and work experience.
• EXPERIENCE: At least 5 years of progressively responsible experience in protocol, executive or presidential event management, government or diplomatic affairs, or a related field.
  • At least 3 years’ experience managing budgets and vendor contracts.
  • At least 3 years’ experience supervising staff or leading cross-functional teams.

• Valid driver's license with a motor vehicle record (MVR) compliant with the Driving for University Business SAP.

Experience Evaluation

Experience requirements are evaluated on a full-time equivalent (FTE) basis. Relevant part-time experience will be prorated based on hours worked. For example, two years working an average of 20 hours per week is equivalent to approximately one year of full-time experience.

Applicants must include the average hours worked per week for all current and previous positions. Failure to provide this information may affect the evaluation of qualifications.

REQUIRED APPLICATION MATERIALS:

Complete the online application. The department additionally requests candidates upload the following document(s) for a complete application:

1. Cover letter
2. Resume or C.V.
3. Contact information for four work-related references (references will only be contacted if you are selected as a finalist for the position).

WORK LOCATION:

On-campus: This position provides vital support to campus customers, and the successful candidate must be available to work and perform essential job functions on campus, understanding our location is at 7,220 feet above sea level.

WORK AUTHORIZATION REQUIREMENTS:

The successful candidate must be eligible to work in the United States, as sponsorship for any work authorization or work visas is not available for this position.

HIRING STATEMENT/EEO:  

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran. In compliance with the ADA Amendments Act (ADAAA), if you have a disability and would like to request an accommodation to apply for a position, please contact us at 307-766-2377 or email jobapps@uwyo.edu.

ABOUT LARAMIE:

The University of Wyoming is located in Laramie, a charming town of 30,000 residents nestled in the heart of the Rocky Mountain West. The state of Wyoming continues to invest in its only 4-year university, helping to make it a leader in academics, research, and outreach with state-of-the-art facilities and strong community ties. We invite you to learn more about Laramie by visiting the About Laramie website.

Located in a high mountain valley near the Colorado border, Laramie offers both outstanding recreational opportunities and close proximity to Colorado’s Front Range and the metropolitan Denver area. Laramie’s beautiful mountain landscape offers outdoor enjoyment in all seasons, with over 300 days of sunshine annually. For more information about the region, please visit http://visitlaramie.org/