Events Manager

University of Alabama in Huntsville; Alabama; On-site; USD 48,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Alabama in Huntsville seeks an Operations Manager to oversee daily facility operations for the Charger Union, Conference Training Center, Chan Auditorium, and related spaces. The role ensures readiness, safety, cleanliness, and efficient event execution.

The position supervises student event-setup staff, coordinates with Facilities & Operations and Public Safety, and manages equipment, room layouts, and resource allocation during events and university activities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 1–3 years experience in facility operations or related field.
• Ability to work evenings and weekends as needed.

Responsibilities

• Manage day-to-day operations of Charger Union facilities and events.
• Oversee event setup and breakdown, room configurations, and resource allocation.
• Supervise and train student event-setup staff.
• Coordinate with Facilities, Custodial, and Public Safety for safety and maintenance.

Skills

Facility operations

Event setup

Team coordination

Evening/weekend availability

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Job no: 504580

Department: AVP of Student Affairs

Work type: Staff Full-time Exempt

Location: Alabama

Categories: Student Affairs

Purpose of the Position

The Operations Manager provides day-to-day management of building operations, facility readiness, maintenance coordination, event setup, physical event resources, and student event-setup staff for the Charger Union, Conference Training Center, Chan Auditorium, and other facilities supported by Charger Union Operations.

The Operations Manager is responsible for ensuring that assigned facilities are clean, safe, functional, properly maintained, and prepared to support scheduled events and University activities. The position coordinates building maintenance and housekeeping needs, manages event setup resources including tables, chairs, staging, and equipment, and oversees the physical setup and breakdown of events.

The Operations Manager directly supervises student event-setup employees and is responsible for their training, scheduling, work assignments, and performance.

The position works closely with the Assistant Director for Union Operations, Audio-Visual Manager, Facilities & Operations, housekeeping, Public Safety, University departments, student organizations, and event clients to ensure effective facility operations and successful event execution.

The Operations Manager exercises independent judgment in routine building operations and event setup matters while escalating complex operational decisions, policy exceptions, significant resource needs, and competing priorities to the Assistant Director.

Duties & Responsibilities

Building Operations, Maintenance, and Facility Readiness - 35%

• Manage the day-to-day physical operation and readiness of the Charger Union, Conference Training Center, SSB 112, SSB 313, and Chan Auditorium.
• Conduct frequent inspections of assigned facilities to identify maintenance, safety, cleanliness, appearance, furniture, equipment, and facility-use concerns.
• Maintain responsibility for the overall appearance, functionality, and operational readiness of assigned facilities.
• Identify maintenance needs and coordinate building repairs with Facilities & Operations and other appropriate University departments.
• Submit and monitor maintenance and repair requests and follow established procedures for addressing facility concerns.
• Serve as the primary operational liaison to Facilities & Operations for routine building maintenance, repairs, building systems, and facility-related concerns.
• Establish daily and event-related priorities for building upkeep, equipment, furniture, and physical resources.
• Monitor building conditions and communicate significant maintenance, safety, security, or damage concerns to the Assistant Director and appropriate University departments.
• Serve as a primary point of contact for housekeeping services within assigned facilities.
• Coordinate with housekeeping to ensure facilities are appropriately cleaned and prepared for scheduled events and daily operations.
• Monitor the condition and availability of facility equipment, furniture, fixtures, and other operational resources.
• Maintain awareness of building systems and operational procedures necessary to support safe and effective facility use.

Event Setup and Physical Event Operations - 25%

• Manage, facilitate, and oversee physical setup and breakdown of events within the Charger Union, Conference Training Center, SSB, and Chan Auditorium.
• Translate approved event layouts and operational plans into appropriate physical room setups.
• Coordinate placement and movement of tables, chairs, staging, equipment, barricades, signage, and other event resources.
• Ensure rooms are properly configured, accessible, clean, and operationally ready prior to scheduled events.
• Coordinate room flips and changes in room configuration between events.
• Review Event Draw diagrams and setup information to ensure the physical setup accurately reflects the approved event plan.
• Identify setup conflicts, facility limitations, or resource concerns and communicate them to the Assistant Director for resolution when they exceed established procedures or available resources.
• Coordinate event setup and breakdown schedules with the student employees, AV staff, custodial services, Facilities, and other appropriate partners.
• Ensure event setup and breakdown activities are completed safely, efficiently, and according to established departmental procedures.
• Monitor setup quality and make routine adjustments necessary to ensure facilities are ready for events.
• Provide operational support for major University events and high-volume event periods as assigned.

Event Resources, Equipment, and Inventory Management - 15%

• Maintain operational control of event setup resources, including tables, chairs, staging, equipment, signage, barriers, and other event-support materials.
• Maintain accurate inventories of event setup equipment and physical resources.
• Develop and maintain procedures for the storage, distribution, use, return, and maintenance of event equipment and furniture.
• Monitor resource availability and identify shortages, damaged equipment, replacement needs, and anticipated demand.
• Coordinate allocation of physical resources among simultaneous events based on established priorities and event plans.
• Establish efficient storage and organization practices to maximize available space and improve access to event resources.
• Coordinate with the Assistant Director regarding significant resource shortages, purchasing needs, equipment replacement, or changes in departmental resources.
• Assist with purchasing recommendations and provide information regarding equipment condition, usage, and replacement needs.
• Monitor appropriate use of University property and address routine concerns regarding missing, damaged, or improperly stored equipment.

Student Staff Supervision and Training - 15%

• Recruit, select, train, schedule, supervise, and evaluate student employees assigned to the event setup team.
• Develop and maintain student staff work schedules based on event calendars and operational requirements.
• Assign daily event setup, breakdown, facility inspection, and resource‑management responsibilities.
• Provide training on safe equipment handling, furniture movement, room setup, event procedures, customer service, and facility policies.
• Establish expectations for attendance, performance, professionalism, safety, and customer service.
• Monitor student employee performance and provide coaching and corrective feedback as appropriate.
• Maintain appropriate student staffing levels to support scheduled events and operational needs.
• Coordinate student employee assignments with other event operations staff.
• Serve as the primary supervisor and resource for student employees working in event setup and physical event operations.

Safety, Security, and Emergency Response - 10%

• Monitor assigned facilities for safety, security, maintenance, and damage concerns.
• Serve as a primary operational resource for safety matters within assigned facilities.
• Respond appropriately to building emergencies and coordinate with Public Safety, Facilities, and other emergency personnel.
• Report safety hazards, facility damage, equipment concerns, and other conditions requiring attention.
• Ensure student employees understand and follow established safety procedures.
• Monitor event setups to ensure appropriate access routes, exits, equipment placement, and other basic safety requirements are maintained.
• Assist with implementation of University emergency procedures and facility-specific emergency plans.
• Escalate significant safety, security, or emergency matters to the Assistant Director and appropriate University personnel.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• One to three years experience in facility operations, event setup, building operations, hospitality, conference services, student union operations, or related field.
• Strong organizational and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to coordinate multiple operational priorities.
• Ability to communicate effectively with students, faculty, staff, University departments, and external clients.
• Ability to work independently within established policies and procedures.
• Ability to work evenings and weekends as needed by event schedules.

Desired Qualifications

• Higher education or University student union experience.
• Experience with facility operations and maintenance coordination.
• Experience managing event setup and breakdown.
• Experience managing furniture and event equipment inventories.
• Experience supervising student employees.
• Experience with event scheduling or reservation systems.
• Experience reading event layouts or diagrams.
• Knowledge of basic facility safety and emergency procedures.
• Experience coordinating with Facilities, Custodial, Public Safety, and other campus service departments.

Published Salary (if available)

47,584-50,000

The University of Alabama in Huntsville is an equal opportunity employer (EOE), including an EOE of protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.