Assistant Director, Event Sales & Operations

Department Summary

Conference & Event Services (CES) delivers exceptional service resources and support to events on the University of Denver (DU) campus. While upholding the Universitys 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

• Bachelors 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

• Masters 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 by4:00 p.m. (MST) November 1 2025.

Special Instructions

Candidates must apply online 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 $68000-$75000.

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 candidates sex or any other protected status.

Benefits

The University of Denver offersexcellent 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 theUniversity 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 Universitys 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 Workers 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 DenversNonDiscriminationStatement.

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