General Summary

Assist in overall management and leadership of the Event Services office and Student Center Operations, including event planning, catering sales, and conference services. Work to promote the use and sale of the Student Center and other campus facilities through development of a broad customer base, effective marketing and customer service. Develop, train and supervise P/T staff and student team. Ensure customer needs for meetings/events, catering, and conference arrangements are being met. Manage Event Management Software needs along with other software and technology as needed.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

• Ensure customer needs for meetings, catering and conference arrangements are met. When an event dictates, act as on-site manager.
• Assist the director with oversight of building operations for Student Center, McKenny Hall event spaces, and Lakehouse included but not limited to submitting work orders, meeting with vendors, oversight of projects, etc.
• Help to develop, train and supervise P/T staff and student team.
• Work collaboratively with catering, setup, and building administration staff to actively ensure all aspects of events are meeting customer service standards and make recommendations for improvement as needed.
• Assist with the management of Event Management Software (EMS) or any replacement software the department may adopt, including planning and implementing updates, upgrades, and training.
• Learn diagraming and other software or platforms used for this department.
• Actively work with the Conference and Event Services Director and Dining service manager to develop realistic and achievable budget targets for catering and building use. Assist the Director in maintaining and maximizing direct control over the Conference office accounts.
• Assist the Conference and Event Services Director and other facility directors in representing the department and the division on university and/or community planning groups.
• Assist the director in oversight of vending operations on campus.
• Establish networks with internal and external groups such as faculty, staff, student groups, Alumni and Development offices, Chamber of Commerce, Visitor & Convention Bureaus, corporate officials and professional organizations for the purpose of selling and promoting University services, venues, products and events.
• Assist the Director in maintaining and maximizing direct control over the office accounts.
• Assist the Director with identification of meeting and conference enhancements for summer camp, conferences, and other events to expand the success of the Student Center, other campus facilities, Dining services, and additional campus partners. Ensure customer satisfaction during scheduled events.
• Ensure services and student staffing reflect the needs of the students and events.
• Assist the department in conducting customer satisfaction surveys, and program evaluations as it relates to the University Event Services Office.
• Ensure customer satisfaction during scheduled events.

Minimum Qualifications:

Demonstrated knowledge of event, conference, and catering sales and planning, staff development typically gained through completion of a bachelor's degree in Hospitality Management, Marketing, Business Administration is required.

Three years of progressively responsible supervisory experience, with demonstrated ability to lead, manage, set goals, develop staff, and instill a high customer service ethic is required.

Three years of progressively responsible experience in large event, conference, and catering sales in a fast-paced multi-faced facility environment is required.

Experience in basic fiscal management such as developing and managing budgets is required.

Experience working with Dining Services in establishing catering sales goals and reports is required.

Excellent oral and written communication skills are required.

Proven experience managing diverse groups of staff and students is required.

Demonstrated ability to use basic and some advanced functions of Windows operating systems, Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) the internet and web-based forms is required.

Preferred Qualifications:

Excellent management, leadership, detail-oriented organizational skills, and time management skills are preferred.

Experience in an institution of higher education working with students, event and catering planning and sales, event management, and college union operations, services, and philosophy is preferred.

Experience working with a unionized workforce is preferred.

Proficient use of event management software, such as Event Management System is preferred.

Special Instructions:

N/A