Events & Operations Manager

Southern Virginia University; Buena Vista, Northern (VA, KY); On-site; USD 45,000 - 50,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, and vision insurance

University-matched retirement savings

Paid time off and holidays

Tuition benefits for employees and/or

Job summary

Southern Virginia University is seeking an Events & Operations Manager to lead planning, coordination, and execution of major campus events, community gatherings, and institutional functions. Reporting to the Vice President of Finance & Operations, you will manage venues, timelines, vendors, and safety to deliver high-quality experiences for students, faculty, staff, and guests.

The role requires hands-on leadership, strong stakeholder communication, and the ability to balance long-term planning

Qualifications

• Willingness and ability to work flexible hours, including evenings, weekends, and early mornings as dictated by the university calendar.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to interact professionally with executive leadership, faculty, students, board members, and external partners.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office 365 and Google Workspace.

Responsibilities

• Assist in planning, coordination, and execution of key institutional events such as Commencement, Homecoming, and major campus gatherings.
• Serve as central point of contact for internal campus sponsors and external clients; manage usage agreements, scheduling, and logistics.
• Create detailed event run-of-shows, floor plans, and timelines to align AV, catering, facilities, and campus safety.
• Schedule off-campus groups to use the university facilities and coordinate space usage.
• Direct space setup and teardown in coordination with facilities and Physical Plant teams.
• Coordinate audio/visual, IT, and media services for events and ensure smooth tech operations.
• Coordinate parking, traffic flow, and on-site security coverage for large events.
• Oversee Ranch Golf Club property and related facilities management.
• Manage furniture and artwork inventories, procurement, deployment, and retirement of equipment.
• Source, negotiate with, and supervise external vendors (caterers, rental companies, florists, etc.).
• Monitor event budgets and process vendor invoices under the VP of Finance & Operations.
• Identify opportunities to optimize expenditures while preserving quality and hospitality.
• Recruit, train, and mentor student event volunteers and staff for on-site support.
• Cultivate a customer-focused mindset among student workers and ensure strong service standards.
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Microsoft Office 365

Google Workspace

Event management

Education

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university

Job description

The Events & Operations Manager plays a critical role in the planning, coordination, andexecution of major campus events, community gatherings, and institutional functions atSouthern Virginia University. Reporting directly to the Vice President of Finance & Operations,this role serves as the primary operational hub for many university logistics -overseeing venuescheduling, facility setups, vendor management, and event safety.In a close-knit university environment, this position requires a hands-on, service-oriented leaderwho can seamlessly balance long-term operational planning with active, on-the-ground eventexecution. The ideal candidate thrives in a collaborative campus culture, excels inmulti-departmental communication, and is dedicated to creating seamless, high-qualityexperiences for students, faculty, staff, alumni, and campus visitors.

Responsibilities

• Assist in the planning, coordination, and execution of key institutional events, including Commencement, weekly forums, Homecoming, Board of Trustees meetings, guest lecture series, and major campus gatherings.
• Serve as the central point of contact for internal campus sponsors as well as external clients renting university facilities; manage usage agreements, scheduling, and logistics for external events and summer facility use.
• Create detailed event run-of-shows, floor plans, and operational timelines to align campus services (AV, catering, facilities, and campus safety).
• Work to schedule off-campus groups, such as FSY and youth conferences, to use the university’s facilities.
• Direct space setup and teardown efforts in coordination with Campus Facilities and Physical Plant teams, ensuring spaces are properly prepped and restored.
• Partner with IT and Media Services to coordinate audio, visual, and technology requirements for all hosted events.
• Coordinate parking logistics, traffic flow, and security coverage with Campus Security for large-scale university events.
• Oversee the Ranch Golf Club property.
• Manage campus furniture and art work inventories including the procurement, deployment, and retirement of furniture and equipment across campus.
• Source, negotiate with, and supervise external event vendors, including caterers, rental companies, florists, and others.
• Monitor operational event budgets, track departmental expenses, process vendor invoices, and manage purchase reconciliations under the direction of the VP of Finance & Operations.
• Identify opportunities to optimize event expenditures while maintaining high standards of quality and campus hospitality.
• Recruit, train, schedule, and mentor a student event team to assist with logistics, setup, guest services, and on-site event support.
• Cultivate a professional, customer-first mindset among student workers, training them in event operations, safety practices, and quick problem-solving.
• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Willingness and ability to work flexible hours, including evenings, weekends, and early mornings as dictated by the university calendar.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to interact professionally with executive leadership, faculty, students, board members, and external partners.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office 365 and Google Workspace.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.
• 2-4 years of progressive experience in event management, hospitality, or facility operations (higher education experience strongly preferred).
• Prior experience supervising student employees or volunteers.
• Basic working knowledge of sound systems, media setups, and event AV troubleshooting.

Compensation and benefits

• Salary Range: $45,000 - $50,000 annually (commensurate with experience).
• Benefits: Eligible for Southern Virginia University's full benefits package, which includes:
• Health, dental, and vision insurance options.
• University-matched retirement savings plan.
• Paid time off (PTO) and designated university holidays.
• Tuition benefits for eligible employees and dependents (subject to university policy).

Physical Requirements & Working Conditions

• Ability to stand, walk, and navigate campus grounds for extended periods during event days.
• Ability to lift, move, and position event equipment (tables, chairs, signage, supplies) up to 80 lbs during operational setups.
• Work is conducted across indoor office/venue settings and outdoor campus environments under varying weather conditions.

About Southern Virginia University

Southern Virginia University is a private, faith-based institution of higher education aligned with the restored gospel of Jesus Christ as taught by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. As a university, we gather faithful Latter-day Saints and those who share our values, lift intellectually, socially, and spiritually, and launch into successful lives and careers. Applicants are invited to learn more about the university at svu.edu/mission .