Director of Operations, Event Management Services

Lindenwood; Saint Charles (MO); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employer-paid tuition

Doctoral tuition discount

Medical/dental/vision insurance

Life and disability insurance

Retirement options

Paid holidays

Free lunch Fridays

Professional development

Job summary

Lindenwood University is seeking a Director of Operations for Event Management Services to oversee planning, budgeting, and execution of internal and external university events. You will lead event-planning teams, negotiate contracts, and align operations with ROI objectives across university partnerships.

The role requires a bachelor’s degree and extensive experience in event management, with prior leadership responsibilities.

Qualifications

• An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience will be considered.
• Bachelor’s degree is required.
• Minimum ten years of experience in the event management environment and/or within a collegiate environment is preferred.
• Prior management experience is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develops comprehensive event strategies ensuring every event aligns with university goals and objectives.
• Reviews and negotiates facility rental contracts to maximize ROI as well as ensure all applicable documentation is completed and submitted for legal review.
• Creates, manages, and reconciles multi-event budgets including invoice creation and processing.
• Negotiates competitive pricing with applicable vendors to maximize ROI.
• Recruits, trains, supervises and mentors event staff and coordinators.
• Set performance metrics and operational standards for service delivery.
• Leads on-site event operations, manages “run of show” timelines, troubleshoots emergencies, and ensures exceptional guest or attendee experiences.
• Analyzes performance metrics, reviews customer feedback, and reports on the overall success and profitability of events.

Skills

Diversity & inclusion communication

Contractual language familiarity

Microsoft Office proficiency

Written & verbal communication

Organization & multitasking

Integrity & confidentiality

Critical thinking & problem solving

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Job description

Benefits of Being a Lindenwood University:

• Upon hire, employer-paid tuition benefits for bachelor’s (employee, spouse, and dependent) and master’s degree programs (employee and spouse only).
• Tuition discounts for doctoral programs (employee only).
• Comprehensive benefits plan: medical, dental, vision, life insurance, disability insurance, and retirement options.
• Paid holidays: MLK Jr. day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving break (Wednesday – Friday), and winter break (Dec. 23 – Jan. 1).
• Free lunch Fridays: LU employees are eligible for a free meal on Fridays at the Evans Commons Dining Hall or Spellman Dining Hall; Chick-fil-A and Qdoba included.
• Professional development opportunities through the Lindenwood Learning Academy.

JOB TITLE SUMMARY

Job Title: Director of Operations, Event Management Services

Division: Fiscal Affairs

Evaluation Group: Exempt

FLSA Status: Exempt

Reports To: Senior Vice President, Operations

Positions Supervised: Event Coordinator, Event Logistics Coordinator, Manager for Campus Box Office

Job Summary

The director of operations, event management services is responsible for overseeing the planning, budgeting, and execution of internal and external university events. They lead teams of event planners, negotiates contracts, and aligns event operations with overall university and return on investment (ROI) objectives. They assist in the facilitation of potential university partnership opportunities impacting multiple university stakeholders through the use of university facilities. This position oversees and provides guidance to the event management personnel.

Essential Job Functions and Performance Indicators

The intent of this job description is to provide a representation of the types of duties and level of responsibility that will be required of positions given this title. This job description shall not be construed as a declaration of the total of the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position. Employees may be directed to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.

Job Responsibilities and Execution

• Develops comprehensive event strategies ensuring every event aligns with university goals and objectives.
• Reviews and negotiates facility rental contracts to maximize ROI as well as ensure all applicable documentation is completed and submitted for legal review.
• Creates, manages, and reconciles multi-event budgets including invoice creation and processing.
• Negotiates competitive pricing with applicable vendors to maximize ROI.
• Recruits, trains, supervises and mentors event staff and coordinators.
• Set performance metrics and operational standards for service delivery.
• Leads on-site event operations, manages “run of show” timelines, troubleshoots emergencies, and ensures exceptional guest or attendee experiences.
• Analyzes performance metrics, reviews customer feedback, and reports on the overall success and profitability of events.

Service Excellence

Supports the mission of the University and serves as an ambassador of the Q2 culture of service excellence. Models, supports, and holds others accountable to the University’s values.

Communication, Teamwork, and Collaboration

Serves as primary contact for all departments pertaining to partnership opportunities with event management services. Coordinates with key departments to manage logistics of external and key university events. Collaborates with university’s marketing and communications team to promote key information related to event management services. Job may require other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience will be considered. Additional requirements may be designated by position.
• Bachelor’s degree
• Minimum ten years of experience in the event management environment and/or within a collegiate environment is preferred
• Prior management experience preferred

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with individuals from diverse communities and cultures
• Familiar with contractual language, insurance guidelines, on-line reservation systems, inventory management, and vendor sourcing related to event management services.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office software products
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills
• Excellent organizational and prioritization abilities including the ability to multitask
• Strong professional integrity and ability to maintain strict confidentiality
• Ability to use good judgment, think critically, and problem solve

Work Environment

Work Environment – Environmental or atmospheric conditions commonly associated with the performance of this job’s functions. General office setting Fully On-Ground Flexible schedule is required as job will require ability to work evenings and weekends.

Physical Abilities

The physical demands described below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform this job’s essential functions. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. Ability to work effectively at a computer for up to eight hours daily Ability to sit for extended periods of time Regular attendance is a necessary and essential function

Equal Opportunity Employer

Lindenwood University is an Equal Opportunity employer. The University complies with appropriate federal, state, and local laws and provides equal employment opportunities and access to educational programs without regard to race, color, religion, gender, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, disability, or any other protected status to all qualified applicants and employees. Lindenwood University is committed to a policy of non-discrimination and dedicated to providing a positive discrimination-free educational work environment. The Human Resources Division's purpose is to support the University's efforts in providing a quality education and experience for all Lindenwood students and by providing for the professional success and the personal wellness of our employees.