General Summary

The Director of University Event Services (UES) provides strategic leadership and management for the planning, development, organization, and evaluation of operations across a range of campus facilities, including the Student Center, McKenny Hall, Lakehouse, and academic spaces on main campus used for non-academic purposes (when reserved). This role ensures exceptional service delivery to both campus and community guests. The Director has primary oversight of the Student Center, McKenny, and Lakehouse, with responsibilities for budget management, policy development, facility operations, vendor contract negotiation, tenant relations, building marketing, event planning and scheduling, catering sales and student learning and development.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

• Direct a facilities management program for the Student Center, McKenny Hall, and Lakehouse space in collaboration with the Physical Plant.
  • This includes systematic inspections and assessments for maintenance, repairs, and replacement of equipment, as well as working to get needed projects approved and added to the university’s capital projects list.

• Direct, manage, and evaluate the Student Center department’s fiscal and budgetary systems including budget planning, expenditure control, and lease revenue collection.
• Oversee Event Services staff involved in catering sales for university events, either both for EMU and in partnership with external vendors (i.e. Chartwells).
• Ensure the sales team provides customer support for all campus events requiring dining services, including catering, summer camp dining, voucher redemption, and other related services.
• Develop, oversee, and evaluate campus vending opportunities in collaboration with staff, Student Government, Chartwells, PepsiCo, and other vendors as needed for various locations.
• Direct, coordinate, and plan catering for key campus events, including MLK, Undergraduate Symposium, and athletics events at the George Gavin Game Above Center and Rynearson Stadium, providing oversight and onsite support as needed.
• Serve as a member of the Homecoming committee, representing venue and catering functions.
• Lead the efforts to manage and implement procedures for the rental and use of academic spaces for non-academic events in collaboration with the Provost Office staff.
• Partner with the Assistant Director to develop and communicate procedures, protocols, pricing, and information related to the use of designated spaces.
• Hire, supervise, manage, and evaluate administrative professional, professional technical, facilities/maintenance, and clerical employees.
• Support Assistant Directors in to review of graduate and undergraduate student workers.
• Collaborate with Campus Life, Housing and Student Government to increase student retention through building usage and events.
• Supervise and implement centralized technology and web-based programs, services, communication/marketing strategies including but not limited to the event management system and the Mazevo booking system used for event services and the operations team.
• Recommend, establish, and supervise enforcement of relevant department and University policies and procedures and relevant state and federal statutes and procedures (i.e. ADA compliance, fire and safety codes).
• Manage all outsourced support services within Student Center and McKenny hall.
• Regularly conduct learning or customer assessment to evaluate departmental programs and services and participate in industry benchmarking and best practice development.
• Stimulates organizational growth through strategic collaboration.
• Represent department and division on University committees and external meetings and professional conferences.
• Perform other duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications:

A bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, College Student Personnel, or related field is required.

Seven years of full-time relevant experience in related positions, including at least five years with progressively responsible supervisory experience is required.

Five years of professional experience in University union management and student affairs experience including customer service, facility management, budgeting, business management, policy development, strategic planning, and employee performance management/development is required.

Demonstrated ability to work with students, staff and faculty from different backgrounds and perspectives is required.

Preferred Qualifications:

A Master’s degree is preferred.

Experience in facility renovation and design/construction of student union facilities is preferred.

Special Instructions:

N/A