Director of Event Services

Oregonmetro; Portland (OR); Hybrid; USD 122,000 - 156,000; Full time

Job summary

Metro seeks a strategic Director of Event Services to unite operations at the Oregon Convention Center and Portland Expo Center. You will lead a cross‑venue team, develop staff, and ensure world‑class event execution aligned with client expectations, safety standards, and organizational goals.

In this hybrid role, you’ll drive process improvements, manage budgets, and foster collaboration across departments while preparing for future transitions and expansion of services.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in events/hospitality/management (minimum stated qualifications).
• Experience leading or supervising people and managing multiple projects/streams.

Responsibilities

• Lead and unify Event Services teams across both venues (OCC and Expo Center).
• Oversee planning, coordination, and execution of diverse events while ensuring safety and regulatory standards.
• Develop budgets and manage resources to meet financial goals and service levels.
• Collaborate with other departments to improve coordination and technology adoption.

Skills

Leadership

Client relationships

Strategic planning

Budgeting

Change management

Communication

Team development

Problem solving

Adaptability

Tools

AutoCAD

Momentus

Job description

Hello, we’re Metro! Metro is dedicated to shaping a better future for the greater Portland region. The work the people of Metro do every day benefits the lives of the people who live here, today, and tomorrow.

Are you a strategic, collaborative leader passionate about developing high-performing teams and delivering exceptional event experiences?

We’re seeking a forward-thinking Director of Event Services to lead a unified Event Services Department serving both the Oregon Convention Center (OCC) and Portland Expo Center, strengthening client relationships, operational consistency, and continuous improvement across two of the region’s premier event facilities.

In this dual-venue leadership role, you’ll oversee the teams responsible for planning, coordinating, and managing diverse events, from national conventions and trade shows to consumer shows, meetings, and community events. You’ll provide strategic direction, develop staff, manage departmental resources, and align event execution with organizational standards and client expectations.

This is an important time for our venues as we continue integrating operations across OCC and Expo and prepare for the Expo Center’s future transition toward a sports complex model. The Director of Event Services will strengthen collaboration, align service standards, and position the department for long-term success.

As a member of the Venues Leadership Team, you’ll contribute to organizational strategy and decision-making, provide insight into client and event needs, and partner with leaders across departments to advance shared goals.

As the Director of Event Services you will:

• Lead and develop a unified Event Services team serving both the Oregon Convention Center and Portland Expo Center, fostering a shared team identity, accountability, collaboration, professional growth, and continuous improvement across both venues.
• Align event services operations across venues by establishing consistent expectations, procedures, workflows, and service standards while recognizing the unique operational needs of each facility.
• Provide strategic oversight of event planning and execution, ensuring event plans meet client expectations, organizational policies, operational requirements, and applicable safety and regulatory standards.
• Guide and support staff in managing complex client relationships, resolving escalated issues, and balancing client needs with organizational priorities, facility capabilities, and financial considerations. Provide direct leadership and operational support for complex or high‑profile events as needed.
• Develop and manage departmental budgets and resources, including personnel and operating expenses, to support financial goals and effective service delivery.
• Oversee departmental staffing, workload distribution, performance management, training, and succession planning to ensure the team is equipped to meet current and future operational needs.
• Collaborate with operational departments and business partners to resolve challenges, improve coordination, and support successful event execution across both venues.
• Lead the advancement of departmental technology, procedures, and workflows to improve efficiency, streamline operations, enhance service delivery, and support evolving industry practices.
• Represent the Event Services Department on the Venues Leadership Team, contributing to organizational strategy, operational decision‑making, and cross‑functional initiatives.

Attributes for success:

• Deep knowledge of event and venue management, including event planning, operational coordination, safety requirements, crowd management, and industry best practices.
• Proven leadership in developing high‑performing teams, managing performance, coaching employees, and supporting professional growth and succession planning.
• Strong client relationship management skills, balancing exceptional service with organizational policies, operational limitations, and protection of venue resources.
• Strong financial acumen in budgeting, resource allocation, expense management, and operational planning.
• Skilled in strategic planning, change management, and leading initiatives that improve operations and advance organizational goals.
• Effective communicator and collaborative leader who builds relationships, navigates challenging conversations, resolves conflicts, and fosters accountability and inclusion.
• Adaptable leader who can unify teams across venues, navigate competing priorities, and guide employees through organizational change.
• Sound judgment, strong organizational skills, and effective problem‑solving abilities, with the capacity to make timely decisions and manage competing priorities in a dynamic environment.

• Technologically proficient, with the ability to evaluate and adopt tools that improve operations, including developing proficiency in Momentus and AutoCAD.

DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION

At Metro, we striveto cultivate diversity, advance equity, and practice inclusion in all of its work. This means attracting and empowering a workforce that is inclusive of a broad range of human qualities. Workplace diversity is both a moral imperative and a business strength, essential to providing quality support and services to our region. Metro’s goal is to hire, develop and retain highly skilled and talented individuals across all departments and programs who best reflect the diversity of our community.

Learn more about how Metro is advancing diversity.

TO QUALIFY

We will consider any combination of relevant work experience, volunteering, education, and transferable skills as qualifying unless an item or section is labeled required. Please be clear and specific in your application materials on how your background is relevant.

Minimum qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in the assigned program area or a related field (for example: Event Management, Hospitality Management, Business Administration, Public Administration, Operations Management, or Organizational Leadership), and
• Three (3) years leading or supervising people, and
• Two (2) years project management experience in area of responsibility, could be:
  • Event management and coordination
  • Venue management and operations
  • Planning and execution of large‑scale events
• Or, any combination of experience, education and training which provides the equivalent scope of knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to perform the essential job duties.

Work environment and schedule:

This position typically works Monday through Friday during daytime hours, with the option for a hybrid work arrangement. Flexibility is required to support event and operational needs, including occasional evenings, weekends, and holidays. Extended hours and workweeks exceeding 40 hours may be necessary based on operational demands. If this statement is true for you, then you may be ineligible to apply

If you were terminated for cause during any employment with Metro, or resigned in lieu of termination, you may be ineligible for rehire for a minimum of 3 years.

Hybrid Telework

This position is designated as “hybrid telework.” You will be required to work onsite and at times have the option to work away from your assigned work location. The specific schedule and balance of onsite and telework will be discussed with the hiring manager at the time of offer. Employees must reside in Oregon or Washington to work at Metro. Please note, the designation of hybrid telework may be subject to change at a future time.

Like to have qualifications:

You do not need to have the following preferred qualifications/transferable skills to qualify. However, keep in mind we may consider them when identifying the most qualified candidates. Your transferable skills are any skills you have gained through education, work experience, including the military, or life experience that are relevant for this position.

• Extensive experience managing or planning complex events in convention centers, expo centers, arenas, or similar large venues.
• Experience leading and developing event management teams, including coaching, performance management, and staff development.
• Experience managing complex client relationships, resolving escalations, and balancing client needs with organizational requirements.
• Experience leading organizational change and improving technology, processes, and workflows to increase operational efficiency.
• Experience managing budgets, staffing resources, and operational priorities.

COMPENSATION, BENEFITS AND REPRESENTATON

The full‑salary range for this position is step 1: $122,301.12 to step 6: $156,091.17 annually. However, unless a candidate’s qualifications justify, based on the Oregon Pay Equity Act requirements and Metro’s internal equity review process, the appointment will likely be made between step 1: $122,301.12 and the equity range step 3: $134,836.98 annually.

This position is not eligible for overtime and is not represented by a union. It is classified as a Manager I.

Classification descriptions are typically written broadly and do not include the specific duties and responsibilities of the positions. View the classification description.

Equal employment opportunity

All qualified persons will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, familial status, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability for which a reasonable accommodation can be made, or any other status protected by law.

Non‑discrimination in hiring decisions

Metro is committed to equal employment opportunity and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local civil rights laws. Metro employment decisions–including recruitment, screening, interviewing, selection, promotion, compensation, and separation–must not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, ethnicity, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, age, veteran status, or any other protected class.

Accommodation

Metro will gladly provide a reasonable accommodation to anyone whose specific disability prevents them from completing this application or participating in this recruitment process. Please contact the recruiter outlined in the job announcement in advance to request assistance.

Veterans' preference

Under Oregon Law, qualified veterans may be eligible for veterans' preference when applying for Metro positions. If you are a veteran and would like to be considered for a veterans' preference for this job, please provide qualifying documents as instructed during the application process.

Pay equity at Metro

No matter who you are or where you work at Metro, you deserve to be paid fairly for the work you do.Every worker must get equal pay for equal work regardless of your gender, race, age, or other protected characteristics. Metro has established processes and conducts routine pay equity reviews as part of the hiring process to ensure compliance with the 2017 Oregon Pay Equity Act.

Led by an elected council, this unique government gives all residents of greater Portland a voice in shaping the future and provides parks, venues, services, and tools at a regional scale. We find solutions for our area’s garbage and recycling that protect clean air and water; help plan land use and development to provide jobs and safe transportation; manage local venues that provide a connection to arts and culture and help keep the economy growing; protect 17,000 acres of parks and natural areas, and run the Oregon Zoo, to keep nature close to home.

As part of the Metro family, the Oregon Convention Center and Portland Expo Center help make greater Portland a great place to call home. Metro brings people together to shape the future of our area and provides parks, venues, services, and tools at a regional scale.

The Oregon Convention Center (OCC) is a leading public venue in the Pacific Northwest, hosting conventions, trade shows, meetings and community events that reflect the diversity and energy of the Portland region. Recognized for its leadership in sustainability and commitment to exceptional service, OCC serves as a catalyst for Oregon’s economy, generating more than $330 million annually in consumer spending and supporting thousands of jobs.

The Portland Expo Center is a versatile public venue in Portland, Oregon, hosting trade shows, conventions, sporting events, concerts and community gatherings. With more than 330,000 square feet of flexible space — including five exhibit halls, meeting rooms equipped with modern technology and 53,000 square feet of outdoor event space — Expo supports a wide range of regional and national events. The facility also offers parking for more than 2,500 vehicles, providing convenient access for exhibitors and guests across the Pacific Northwest.