Chelsea Knight
Tallahassee
Summary
Experienced with comprehensive event management, including planning, logistics, and execution. Utilizes strong leadership and organizational skills to ensure smooth operations and team efficiency. Track record of delivering high-impact events through strategic planning and collaborative efforts.
Overview
10
10
years of professional experience
Work History
Director of Events & Boards
Florida State University - Vice President's Office for Student Affairs
06.2024 - Current
- Direct the strategic planning and execution of 165+ annual division-wide, donor, executive, and student engagement events supporting the priorities of the Vice President for Student Affairs.
- Lead all event operations for the Vice President for Student Affairs, including high-profile university, donor cultivation, recognition, and stakeholder engagement events.
- Provide leadership and oversight for the Student Affairs Development Council, advancing philanthropic engagement and strengthening partnerships between donors and Student Affairs initiatives.
- Serve as primary staff liaison to the Student Affairs Committee of the FSU Board of Trustees, coordinating meeting logistics, materials, communications, and strategic initiatives.
- Lead university-wide signature programs and traditions, including Farewell FSU initiatives designed to enhance student engagement and institutional pride.
- Supervise and mentor a professional team including an Events Manager, Internal/External Relations Manager, and Graduate Assistant, fostering operational excellence and professional development.
- Develop and manage annual event calendars, project timelines, and cross-functional partnerships across university divisions, colleges, and external stakeholders.
- Collaborate with senior university leadership, board members, donors, alumni, and community partners to advance Student Affairs priorities and strategic goals.
- Oversee event budgets, vendor relationships, contracts, and resource allocation to ensure efficient and effective program delivery.
- Implement event assessment and reporting strategies to measure engagement, operational effectiveness, and return on investment.
Associate Director of Development
Florida State University - Vice President's Office for Student Affairs
10.2022 - 06.2024
- Fundraising for over 14 different departments on campus including: Campus Recreation, Career Center, Center for Academic Retention & Enhancement, Center for Global Engagement, Center for Leadership & Social Change, Counseling, Department of Student Support & Transition, Fraternity & Sorority Life, New Student & Family Programs, Student Conduct and Standards, SGA, The Union, Health Services and Housing.
- Maintained stewardship for all gifts within student affairs; thank you letters, cards, gifts and personalized messages from Dr. Hecht.
- Hosted events within Florida and Georgia to re-engage Alumni that are current or past parents, to increase parent giving numbers.
- Helped oversee Great Give both years which raised over $136,000 and saw over 1,000 different donors give to Student Affairs.
- Helped re-engage the Round Up Campaign on campus alongside Seminole Dining to help raise money for the FSU Food for Thought Pantry.
Assistant Director of Development - Special Events & Stewardship
University of South Florida Athletics - Bulls Club
08.2021 - 08.2022
- Oversee Baseball and Softball premium space calendar and coordination.
- Oversee AD and Donor Suites on football game day.
- Point of contact for all catering and food & beverage needs.
- Manage budgetary process for premium seating areas.
- Supervise staff and interns for all gameday and fundraising events.
- Oversee premium donor half-time event for all home football games.
- Coordinate Donor of the game presentation at home football games.
- Oversee Hardwood Club (high level donor area) and all premium areas for Women’s and Men’s Basketball.
- Oversee & Execute Stewardship for all athletic donors.
- Events Executed: Athletics Hall of Fame weekend, Head Coaches Caravan Tour (4 stops across Florida), Iron Bull Kick-Off party ($10k+ donors), NCAA Watch Parties, Stampede for Women Luncheon, Football National Signing Day, First Pitch Socials, Football Away game tailgates, Basketball Season Kick-Off Happy Hours, and Alumni Weekend.
- Managed two major fundraising events for 600+ people that raised over $250k (BullsBlast, BullsFest).
- Managed all Golf Tournaments (Football, Baseball, Volleyball) that raised over $200k.
Sales & Service Account Executive
Seminole Boosters
06.2019 - 08.2021
- Oversaw 1,000+ season ticket holder accounts.
- Provided high quality customer service through direct communication with clients.
- Improved fan engagement with tours, seat visits, on the field experiences and memorabilia.
- Communicated with clients daily through phone calls, emails and handwritten notes.
- Assisted clients in setting up bill plans, maintaining accounts and purchasing tickets for multiple sports.
- Worked events such as watch parties, happy hours at 51 on Madison, fan day, and suites for basketball games to engage with clients.
- Utilized Paciolan, CRM, Salesforce, and Zipwhip communication.
- Achieved a Retention Rate of 78% for the 2019 season and 87% for the 2020 season.
- Surpassed overall revenue goal of $1.945 million by 7% for the 2021 season.
Operations Representative
Florida State University
06.2016 - 06.2019
- Full understanding of Paciolan and CRM software; assisted in training student workers.
- Worked with the Booster department in taking pledges, payments, and setting up payment plans.
- Served as ticket oversight for Women's Basketball home games.
- Responsible for account management, sales, and ticket distribution across multiple sports.
- Provided customer service via telephone, online chat, email, and in-person interactions.
- Assisted full-time supervisors with daily objectives.
- Worked alongside compliance and the NCAA for player guest ticket distribution for football and baseball.
- Worked with IMG marketing in order to keep student accounts and spear-it-reward points up to date.
- Worked game days for Football, Baseball, Softball, and Men's and Women's Basketball.
Education
B.S. - Sport Management
Florida State University
Tallahassee05-2017
Skills
- Creative direction
- Event marketing
- Vendor negotiation
- Organizational skills
- Team leadership and supervision
- Problem-solving
- Creativity and adaptability
Timeline
Director of Events & Boards
Florida State University - Vice President's Office for Student Affairs
06.2024 - Current
Associate Director of Development
Florida State University - Vice President's Office for Student Affairs
10.2022 - 06.2024
Assistant Director of Development - Special Events & Stewardship
University of South Florida Athletics - Bulls Club
08.2021 - 08.2022
Sales & Service Account Executive
Seminole Boosters
06.2019 - 08.2021
Operations Representative
Florida State University
06.2016 - 06.2019
B.S. - Sport Management
Florida State University