Manager, Conferences

Emerson College; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 82,000 - 103,000; Full time

Job summary

Emerson College is seeking a Manager, Conferences & Events to lead revenue-generating conferences, events, and short-term housing programs on the Boston campus.

You will own business development, client relationships, financial performance, and operations, coordinating with Facilities, Dining, ECPD, Campus Card Services, and other campus partners to ensure spaces, access, and services are delivered effectively.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; 10+ years experience considered in lieu of a degree.
• 5-7 years of event management experience, preferably in education or large-scale public setting.
• Proven B2B sales experience with track record of securing corporate clients for large-scale events.
• CMP or CSEP certifications preferred.
• Prior sales experience to strategically engage clients and expand the conference portfolio is preferred.
• Valid driver's license required.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the point of contact for all event-related matters for Business Services-managed spaces.
• Coordinate operations between Conferences & Events and Facilities for space setup, custodial, maintenance, and access; manage work orders and service requests.
• Manage the Summer Conference Program, including its budget and financial operations from invoicing to revenue allocation.
• Design and manage an Internship Housing Program with long-term housing and marketing; manage inquiries, contracts, and billing.
• Update and manage the Summer Conference and Internship Housing Program website.
• Manage relationships with external vendors and service providers and coordinate services.
• Provide revenue forecasts and identify growth opportunities for Summer Conference and Internship Housing.
• Be present evenings, weekends, and holidays as needed for events.
• Coordinate building access and schedules with ECPD and Campus Card Services for internal and external events.
• Oversee Colonial Apartments operations, including reservations, communications, contracts, billing, vendor coordination, maintenance, turnover.
• Develop and implement proactive sales strategies to expand the Summer Conference Program.
• Monitor expenditures, approve POs, reimburse expenses, and ensure timely payments to vendors.
• Coordinate space management and event logistics using EMS and Spacebook; conduct venue inspections and ensure service standards.
• Collaborate with internal departments to document, contract, and align event schedules.
• Secure spaces, confirm headcounts and dietary requirements, and supervise daily operations with senior student staff.
• Recruit, train, and manage a 16-student team, ensuring high performance and compliance with standards.
• Provide 24/7 emergency support to internal campus partners and external clients.

Skills

Team leadership

Budget management

Event coordination

Communication

Problem solving

Adaptability

Education

Bachelor's degree in Hospitality Management or related field

CMP or CSEP certifications preferred

10+ years of equivalent experience considered in lieu of degree

Tools

EMS

Spacebook

Job description

Manager, Conferences & Events

Join our community and experience Emerson College!

The Manager, Conferences & Events is responsible for developingand growing the College's revenue-generating conference, event, andshort-term rental, and conference housing programs. The Managerowns business development, client relationships, financialperformance, and program operations, with a focus on increasingrevenue and maximizing the use of College facilities and housingassets. The Manager serves as the primary operational coordinatorfor these programs, working across Facilities, Dining, ECPD, CampusCard Services, and other campus partners to ensure spaces,services, building access, and other operational requirements areplanned and delivered effectively. The Manager is responsible forensuring that events and programs are operationally ready, clientcommitments are met, and College resources are usedefficiently.

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES

• Serve as the point of contact for all event-related matters forBusiness Services-managed spaces, including the Loft, BordyTheater, Lion's Den, Beard Room, and other designated spaces,working closely with event organizers such as faculty, staff,students, and external clients.
• Lead and manage the coordination between Conferences &Events and Facilities for all event and program-related operationalneeds, including space setup, custodial services, maintenance,building access, furniture and equipment, and other facilityrequirements. Ensure appropriate work orders and service requestsare entered and tracked, requirements are communicated in advance,and services are coordinated through completion. Coordinate withDining, ECPD, Campus Card Services, and other campus partners asneeded to ensure seamless event operations.
• Manage the Summer Conference Program, including its budget andfinancial operations, from invoicing through revenue allocation,with a focus on delivering high-quality experiences for allattendees.
• Design and manage an Internship Housing Program, offeringlong-term (8+ weeks) housing to college students around thecountry. Implement a marketing strategy to generate programinterest, inquiries, and applications. Manage all inquiries,contracts, and billing for the program.
• Update and manage the Summer Conference and Internship HousingProgram website.
• Manage relationships with external vendors and serviceproviders, including soliciting quotes, coordinating services, andensuring timely and effective delivery of contracted services.
• Provide revenue forecasts and projections and recommend areasof potential growth within the Summer Conference and InternshipHousing Program.
• Be present evenings, weekends, and holidays as needed duringboth the academic year and summer months to support internal andexternal events.
• Work closely with ECPD and Campus Card Services to coordinatebuilding access and schedules for both internal campus events andexternal summer programs.
• Oversee the management and operations of the ColonialApartments, including reservations, client communications,contracts, billing, vendor coordination, maintenance, and turnover,while ensuring the units are well-maintained and effectivelyutilized.
• Develop and implement proactive sales strategies to promote andexpand the Summer Conference Program, leveraging industry contactsand market insights to attract new clients and enhance the scopeand quality of events.
• Monitor and manage expenditures within approved budgets,oversee purchase orders and expense reimbursements, and ensurevendors are paid in a timely manner.
• Coordinate comprehensive space management and event logistics,utilizing tools such as Event Management Software (EMS) andSpacebook for optimal space allocation, conducting detailed venueinspections, and ensuring all logistics adhere to high servicestandards.
• Collaborate with internal departments to ensure seamless eventexecution, creating necessary documentation, managing contracts,and accurately aligning event schedules.
• Secure necessary spaces, confirm event specifics such asheadcounts and dietary requirements, and supervise daily operationswith senior student staff.
• Recruit, train, and manage a dedicated team of 16 studentemployees, overseeing all aspects of employment and ensuring highperformance and compliance with institutional standards.
• Provide 24/7 emergency support to internal campus partners andexternal clients, serving in an on-call capacity to coordinatetimely resolution of operational needs.
• Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS -

Qualifications are deemed required orpreferred and represent what is needed to perform the jobeffectively.

• A bachelor's degree in Hospitality Management, EventManagement, Business Administration, or a related field isrequired; in lieu of a degree, 10+ years of equivalent experiencewill also be considered.
• At least 5-7 years of event management experience, preferablyin an educational or large-scale public setting.
• Proven B2B sales experience, with a strong track record ofsecuring corporate clients for large-scale events orconferences.
• Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) or Certified SpecialEvents Professional (CSEP) certifications preferred.
• Prior sales experience to strategically engage clients andexpand the conference portfolio is preferred.
• Valid driver's license required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES -

• Proficiency in using event management software such as EMS andSpacebook.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and manage a team, includingrecruiting, training, and supervising staff.
• Strong capability in managing budgets, logistics, andoperations for large-scale events.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with theability to act as the institution's liaison
• Adaptable, with the ability to manage changing events andresolve problems efficiently.
• Exceptional troubleshooting, communication, and projectmanagement skills are crucial for successful event planning andexecution.
• Ability to foster and maintain relationships with internal andexternal stakeholders to enhance event experiences.
• Ability to establish department goals and objectives thatsupport the strategic plan.
• Ability to effectively plan, delegate, and/or supervise thework of others.

PHYSICAL ABILITIES

• This position is active; continuous movement is required.
• Continuous oral and written communication with clients,co-workers, and supervisors is essential.
• Repetitive movements, frequent lifting of up to 35 pounds,reaching, pushing, stooping, climbing, and the ability to read acomputer screen, detect color-coding, and read fine print will beexpected.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• This position works in conference, meeting, and officeenvironments
• Willingness to work irregular hours, including evenings andweekends, as needed for event schedules and emergencies.

Disclaimer

This job description in no way states or impliesthat these are the only duties to be performed by the employeeoccupying this position. Employees may be required to follow otherjob-related instructions and to perform other job-related duties asrequested, subject to all applicable state and federal laws.Certain job duties described herein may be subject to possiblemodification in accordance with applicable state and federallaws.

IN-OFFICE EXPECTATIONS

This position requires anin-person presence on the Boston Campus during the work week.

Compensation: $82,150.00 - $102,650.00 annually, commensurate withexperience.

Grade of Position: 23-10E

Employment Category: Regular

Division of Physical & Digital Infrastructure

In addition to a competitive salary, Emerson College is committedto the health and well-being of our employees and family members.We offer a generous benefits package to regular staff scheduled towork 20+ hours per week.

Emerson EmploymentCategories influence work schedules, benefits eligibility,and time off policies. Benefits include outstanding health planswith limited out-of-pocket expenses, dental plans, generoustime-off programs, and a 403(b) retirement benefit with a 9%employer contribution once eligible. Additional benefits, such aslife and disability coverage and commuter offerings, areavailable.

Please refer to our benefitswebsite for a full list of benefits and eligibilityrequirements.