Director of Event Management, Event Management

The Director of Event Management provides strategic and operational leadership for the university's Event Management department, overseeing event planning, scheduling, ticketing, venue operations, and summer housing. This role ensures the successful execution of all university events, with particular emphasis on high-priority events hosted by the President's Office and other key departments. The Director leads and mentors a team of managers and staff while maintaining an active, on-site presence for events as needed. This position reports directly to the Deputy Chief of Staff in the Office of the President.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide vision, strategic direction, and operational oversight for the Event Management department, ensuring alignment with institutional priorities and the university's mission.
• Supervise and develop a team of seven full-time staff, fostering accountability, collaboration, and high performance across planning, scheduling, ticketing, and operations.
• Oversee the planning and execution of complex and high-profile events, managing timelines, budgets, resources, and stakeholder expectations to ensure seamless delivery.
• Partner with university leadership to schedule and execute priority events, including those hosted by the President's Office and other senior leaders.
• Maintain a visible, hands-on leadership presence by actively supporting and executing events on-site, including evenings, weekends, and other non-traditional business hours as required.
• Ensure consistent and effective use of the Event Management System (EMS) software and ticketing platforms to support efficient planning, accurate data management, and a high-quality guest experience.
• Direct venue operations and event logistics in collaboration with the Event Operations Manager, including setup, strike, equipment inventory, and summer housing coordination.
• Manage departmental budgets, vendor contracts, and service agreements, ensuring fiscal responsibility, service quality, and compliance with institutional standards.
• Serve as the primary advisor to campus stakeholders on event strategy, planning best practices, vendor coordination, and cross-departmental collaboration.