Conferences & Summer Operations Manager

University Of Michigan; Ann Arbor (MI); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Michigan's Conference and Event Services is seeking a Full Conference and Summer Operations Manager to lead logistics for hundreds of programs and thousands of participants across campus.

You will supervise student staff, coordinate housing, dining, spaces, and services, and collaborate with campus partners to ensure seamless program delivery during peak May–August operations in Ann Arbor, MI, with hybrid scheduling off-peak.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent required.
• Two years of event management experience in an academic, corporate, or related environment.
• Experience with Microsoft Office suite and Google products/suite.
• Valid Driver's License Required

Responsibilities

• Manage a portfolio of summer programs, coordinating housing, dining, meeting/classroom space, special events, parking, and other campus services in a high-volume environment.
• Coordinate seasonal residence hall operations for assigned summer programs, including housing placements, arrival/departure logistics, service requests, schedule changes, and issue resolution.
• Manage assigned conference and event clients from planning through execution, coordinating facilities, A/V, transportation, dining, housing, and registration.
• Partner and negotiate with campus and external service providers on behalf of clients to secure services and support delivery.
• Coordinate client registration processes, including online registration, fee collection, enrollment and capacity monitoring, reporting, and maintaining program data in event management systems.
• Manage the financial administration of assigned programs, including budgets, prelim and final billing, invoice review, and payments in partnership with Business & Finance.
• Support sales and occupancy by partnering with the sales team on yield management strategies, site tours, site selections, and sales meetings.
• Hire, train, supervise, schedule, and process payroll for student staff; oversee staff time tracking and allocation.

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Tools

Microsoft Office

Google Workspace

Job description

Job Summary

Department Summary:

Conference and Event Services at the University of Michigan is accepting applications and nominations for the position of Full Conference and Summer Operations Manager. We provide expertise in conference and event management to U-M and external groups. As a member of the team, you will provide sales, operations, and systems support. The department you will support recruits conferences and events, including summer programs and annual conferences, in multiple facilities across the U-M campus.

Position Summary:

Reporting to an Assistant Director, with latitude for exercising independent judgment and initiative within established guidelines, you will work with all clients and service providers to manage client program logistics. You will also be a liaison to a portfolio of clients for the planning and execution of summer operations. You will manage support and student staff as dictated by contracted business.

During the fall and winter, you will work a hybrid schedule and will work on-site during the peak season of May-August, primarily in Ann Arbor, MI.

• Manage a portfolio of summer programs, coordinating residential housing, dining, meeting/classroom space, special events, parking, and other campus services in a high-volume environment supporting more than 200 programs and 17,000 participants.
• Coordinate seasonal residence hall operations for assigned summer programs, including housing placements, arrival and departure logistics, service requests, schedule changes, and issue resolution.
• Manage assigned conference and event clients from planning through execution, coordinating logistical and support services such as facilities, audio/visual, transportation, dining, catering, housing, and registration.
• Partner and negotiate with campus and external service providers on behalf of clients to secure services, resolve issues, and support successful program delivery.
• Coordinate client registration processes, including developing online registration and fee collection, confirmation processes, enrollment and capacity monitoring, reporting, and maintaining program data in event management systems.
• Manage the financial administration of assigned programs, including client budgets, preliminary and final billing, invoice review and approval, authorized payments, P-card reconciliation, and financial closeout in partnership with Business & Finance.
• Support sales and occupancy efforts by partnering with the sales team on yield management strategies, site tours, site selections, and sales meetings to maximize use of University facilities.
• Hire, train, supervise, schedule, and process payroll for student staff supporting summer operations; oversee staff time tracking and allocation to assigned programs.

Required Qualifications*

• Bachelor's degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Two years of event management experience in an academic, corporate or related environment;
• Experience with tools like Microsoft Office suite and Google products/suite.
• Valid Driver's License Required

Why Work at Michigan?

In addition to a career filled with purpose and opportunity, The University of Michigan offers a comprehensive benefits package to help you stay well, protect yourself and your family and plan for a secure future. Our benefits include:

• Generous time off
• A retirement plan that provides two-for-one matching contributions with immediate vesting
• Many choices for comprehensive health insurance
• Life insurance
• Long-term disability coverage
• Flexible spending accounts for healthcare and dependent care expenses

Modes of Work

Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes.

Additional Information

This role may have reporting obligations under Title IX and Clery.

Authorization to work in the U.S. is a precondition of employment and applicants for this position will not be sponsored for work visas.

Selected candidates whose start date is between 4/1/2026 - 9/1/2026 will not be eligible for the university FY26-27 salary/merit plan unless otherwise notified.

Salary may vary depending on qualifications, experience, and education of the selected candidate.

Application Deadline

Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days. The review and selection process may begin as early as the eighth day after posting. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled any time after the minimum posting period has ended.

U-M EEO Statement

The University of Michigan is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.