Department Summary

Conference & Event Services (CES) delivers exceptional service, resources, and support to events on the University of Denver (DU) campus. While upholding the University’s integrity, values, and inclusive engagement, CES cultivates strategic relationships with its internal DU partners to ensure the success of outreach to local, national, and global organizations. CES provides services to clients for the exploration, discussion, and enactment of issues and topics germane to a variety of important areas that include civic, political, non-profit, educational, and business.

Position Summary

The Assistant Director of Event Sales & Operations is responsible for ensuring both the growth and operational excellence of Conference & Event Services. This role blends sales, marketing, and event management responsibilities with operational leadership.

The position oversees lead generation, sales processes, and client relationship management while also directing event operations, supervising staff, and ensuring seamless execution of events ranging from small meetings to high-profile university functions. The Assistant Director will recruit, train, and manage event staff, assign responsibilities within the team, and provide guidance to ensure departmental goals are met.

This position requires exceptional organizational skills, the ability to think strategically while managing day-to-day details, and a strong customer service orientation. Reporting to the Director of Marketing & Events, the Assistant Director works closely with campus leadership, external partners, and clients to drive sales, deliver high-quality events, and strengthen the reputation of CES

Essential Functions

Event Sales

• Manage sales opportunities, develop proposals, conduct site visits, and lead negotiations with clients.
• Assist in lead generation, client outreach, and cultivating future business opportunities.
• Provide sales forecasts and reports, highlighting key performance metrics and areas for improvement.
• Prepare and organize promotional materials, campaigns, and proposals.

Event Operations

• Oversee event operations and logistics to ensure successful execution.
• Supervise high-profile and campus-wide events, including those for senior leadership.
• Generate and review contracts for external events; consult with clients to determine event objectives and requirements.
• Assign, monitor, and evaluate event assignments to ensure compliance with CES policies and procedures.
• Oversee accuracy of data collection, reporting, and pricing standardization across all events.
• Provide on-site support for events as needed, including nights and weekends. 

Leadership & Supervision

• Supervise Event Managers and other professional staff providing coaching, mentoring, and conflict management support.
• Recruit, train, and evaluate event staff; create and update training materials to ensure team preparedness.
• Maintain strong relationships with vendors, service contractors, campus partners, and VIP clients.
• Foster a collaborative team culture and encourage continuous improvement across sales and operations.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Demonstrated success in sales, including strategy, negotiation, and lead cultivation.
• Strong understanding of event operations, logistics, and execution.
• Excellent project management and organizational skills; ability to manage multiple priorities under pressure.
• Proven ability to mentor, develop, and support professional staff.
• Outstanding communication and relationship-building skills with diverse stakeholders.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to use data to drive decisions.
• Adept at adopting and integrating new technologies, software platforms, and digital systems to support sales and operations.
• Ability to problem solve, think strategically, and respond calmly in high-stress situations
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and related business technologies.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent experience in business, communications, events, hospitality management or related field.
• Four to five years of professional experience in event management or sales.
• At least two years of supervisory experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s Degree or equivalent experience
• Five or more years of experience managing sales and events, preferably in an academic or non-profit environment.
• Experience with marketing automation (email), CRM platforms, and survey tools.
• Working knowledge of Momentus and 25Live scheduling software.
• Experience managing events in higher education and working with VIP clients.
• Proven success in cultivating long-term client relationships and securing repeat business.
• Experience collaborating with senior leadership and cross-functional teams to align events with institutional goals.

Working Environment

• Standard Office Environment
• Noise level is quiet to moderate

Physical Activities

• Ability to sit in front of a computer for an extended period of time
• Occasionally required to move about the office/campus with the capability of transporting objects up to 50 lbs

Work Schedule

Flexible schedule with some evening and weekend work required.

Application Deadline

For consideration, please submit your application materials by 4:00 p.m. (MST) November 1, 2025. 

Special Instructions

Candidates must apply online through jobs.du.edu to be considered. Only applications submitted online will be accepted.

Salary Grade Number

The salary grade for the position is 11.

Salary Range

The salary range for this position is $68,000-$75,000.

The University of Denver has provided a compensation range that represents its good faith estimate of what the University may pay for the position at the time of posting. The University may ultimately pay more or less than the posted compensation range. The salary offered to the selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal salary equity considerations, and available market information, but not based on a candidate’s sex or any other protected status.

Benefits

The University of Denver offers excellent benefits, including medical, dental, retirement, paid time off, tuition benefit and ECO pass. The University of Denver is a private institution that empowers students who want to make a difference. Learn more about the University of Denver.

Please include the following documents with your application:

1. Resume
2. Cover Letter

The University of Denver is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including sex stereotypes, sex characteristics, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression), marital, family, or parental status, pregnancy or related conditions, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran. The University of Denver does not discriminate and prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, age, religion, creed, disability, sex (including sex stereotypes, sex characteristics, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression), marital family, and parental status, pregnancy, genetic information, military enlistment, or veteran status, and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination under federal, state, or local law, regulation, or ordinance in any of the University’s educational programs and activities, and in the employment (including application for employment) and admissions (including application for admission) context, as required by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972; the Americans with Disabilities Act; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; the Age Discrimination Act of 1975; the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967; the Equal Pay Act; the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act; the Colorado Protecting Opportunities and Worker's Rights ("POWR") Act; and any other federal, state, and local laws, regulations, or ordinances that prohibit discrimination, harassment, and/or retaliation. For more information, please see the University of Denver's Non‑Discrimination‑Statement.

All offers of employment are contingent upon satisfactory completion of a criminal history background check.