Conference & Meeting Manager

The Chronicle Of Higher Education, Inc.; Blacksburg (VA); On-site; USD 61,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

The Chronicle Of Higher Education, Inc. is seeking a Conference & Meeting Manager to coordinate and oversee a broad portfolio of conferences, meetings, and professional development programs.

You will manage budgets, negotiate vendor contracts, and lead a team to ensure value-driven experiences for participants. Occasional travel and flexible hours may be required to support programs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in business or related field or equivalent training/experience
• Extensive experience in conference, meeting or event planning
• Supervisory experience
• Exceptional organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills
• Experience in program budget development and management
• Ability to establish and maintain rapport with internal and external clients
• Proven excellent sales skills with strong results
• Demonstrated leadership skills
• Strong computer competency with office tools (Excel, MS Teams, Zoom)
• Ability to manage multiple projects and details simultaneously
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team

Responsibilities

• Plan and provide planning services for a large portfolio of conferences, meetings, and professional development programs
• Generate program revenue to meet annual targets for the unit
• Supervise one or more program planning professionals
• Negotiate and secure contracts with venues and services
• Develop comprehensive budget plans and scope of services
• Travel as needed to provide program support
• Collaborate with faculty, staff, and external partners to identify needs

Skills

Project management

Budgeting

Negotiation

Customer service

Leadership

Sales/ revenue generation

Team collaboration

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in business or related field

Master's degree in related field

Tools

Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Outlook)

Job description

Job Description

The conference & meeting manager will be responsible forproviding planning services for Continuing and ProfessionalEducation's (CPE) large portfolio of academic conferences,meetings, and professional development programs. This role requiresa detail-oriented individual with excellent project managementskills, a strong business acumen, and the ability to workcollaboratively with faculty, staff, and external partners. TheConference & Meeting Manager is responsible for generatingprogram revenue to meet annual revenue targets for the unit. Theconference & meeting manager will supervise one or more programplanning professionals who specialize in logistics andimplementation. CPE strives to create value-driven experiences thatprovide positive impact for the University, our clients, and ourparticipants. The successful candidate should have a strongcustomer service ethos, and contribute to a work environment thatsupports positivity, creativity, teamwork, diversity, and mutualrespect. The conference & meeting manager works with faculty,staff, and external partners to identify needs for each program,develop a comprehensive budget plan, negotiate and secure contractswith venues and other necessary services, and establish a detailedscope of services. Occasional travel may be required to providelocal and out-of-town program support. Occasional overnight,weekend, early morning, and late evening work may also benecessary.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in business or a related field, or equivalenttraining and/or experience in business or hospitality managementfield


• Extensive experience in conference, meeting or event planning,preferably in a higher education setting


• Supervisory experience


• Exceptional organizational, interpersonal, and communicationskills


• Experience in program budget development and management


• Ability to establish and maintain good rapport with internal andexternal clients


• Proven excellent sales skills with strong results


• Demonstrated leadership skills


• Strong computer competency skills and high proficiency inoffice/collaboration tools and applications (Microsoft Office,specifically Excel, MS Teams, and Zoom)


• Ability to handle numerous projects and details simultaneously andaccurately while prioritizing according to need and schedule


• Ability to work independently and as part of a team

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in a related field


• Advanced experience in project planning and budgeting in acontinuing education setting


• Experience with Commonwealth of Virginia and/or university policiesand procedures


• Preference may be given to individuals who have a designation ofCertified Program Planner (CPP) or Certified Meeting Planner(CMP)

Pay Band

5

Overtime Status

Exempt: Not eligible for overtime

Appointment Type

Restricted

Salary Information

Hiring salary up to $68,000, commensurate with qualifications andexperience.

Hours per week

40+

Review Date

8/31/2026

Additional Information

The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.

About Virginia Tech

Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve),Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking ahands-on, transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to beleaders and problem-solvers. A comprehensive land-grant institutionthat enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout theworld, Virginia Tech is an inclusive community dedicated to knowledge, discovery, andcreativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverseenrollment of more than 36,000 undergraduate, graduate, andprofessional students in eight undergraduate colleges , a school of medicine , a veterinary medicine college, Graduate School , and Honors College . The university has a significant presenceacross Virginia, including Blacksburg, the greater Washington, D.C.area, the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke, sitesin Newport News and Richmond, and numerous Extension offices and research institutes . A leading global research institution,Virginia Tech conducts more than $650 million in researchannually.

Virginia Tech endorses and encourages participation in professionaldevelopment opportunities and university shared governance . These valuablecontributions to university shared governance provide importantrepresentation and perspective, along with opportunities for uniqueand impactful professional development.

Virginia Tech does not discriminate against employees, students, orapplicants on the basis of age, color, disability, sex (includingpregnancy), gender, gender identity, gender expression, geneticinformation, ethnicity or national origin, political affiliation,race, religion, sexual orientation, or military status, orotherwise discriminate against employees or applicants who inquireabout, discuss, or disclose their compensation or the compensationof other employees or applicants, or on any other basis protectedby law.

If you are an individual with a disability and desire anaccommodation, please contact Shelly Jobst at [e-mail] during regular business hours at least 10business days prior to the event.