Assistant Director, Event Operations

Internal Notice -Identified Candidate

This position is being posted in accordance with the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act. The University is currently considering an internal candidate for this role. This notice is provided to inform all employees of the opportunity prior to any employment decision

Department Summary:

Conference & Event Services (CES) delivers exceptional service resources and strategic support to events hosted on the University of Denver (DU) campus. While upholding the Universitys integrity values and commitment to inclusive engagement CES cultivates partnerships across campus and with external organizations to attract high-impact events aligned with DUs mission. Beyond operational excellence CES serves as acritical auxiliary revenue engine for the University.

During a period of financial constraint and institutional budget pressure CES plays an essential role in generating diversified revenue streams that directly support DUs strategic initiatives. Revenue generated through conferences camps corporate meetings and signature events helps fund academic innovation student support services facilities enhancements and other mission-driven priorities.

Events hosted on campus also serve as high-value institutional touchpoints that advance:

• Student recruitment and enrollment growth

• Community engagement and regional partnership development

• Alumni engagement and donor cultivation

• Brand visibility and thought leadership positioning

As such CES operates not only as a service unit but as a strategic business function whose performance hasmeasurabledownstream impact on the Universitys financial sustainability and long-term success.

Position Summary:

The Assistant Director Event Operations leads operational execution and event service delivery across CES managed venues. This role oversees operational strategy staff supervision vendor relationship management and service delivery processes to ensure consistent high-quality events aligned with university policies and client expectations.

Primary responsibilities of this position include operational oversight of vendor partnerships and facility readiness for all venues. The Assistant Director coordinates closely with campus service providers and contracted vendors to maintain operational standards support venue performance and ensure seamless event execution.

This position supervises Event Managers and plays a key role in establishing operational procedures resolving complex event logistics and maintaining service consistency across the CES portfolio. The Assistant Director reports to the Executive Director of Conference & Event Services and collaborates with campus partners to support both strategic events and high-volume conference operations.

Due to the seasonal nature of conference programming this role requires increased evening and weekend availability during peak summer months and participation in an on-call rotation.

Essential Functions:

Event Operations Leadership

• Direct operational standards for CES managed events and venues. Provide leadership and guidance to Event Managers to ensure consistent service delivery compliance with policies and successful execution of complex or high-profile events.

Operational Strategy & Process Management

• Establish and maintain operational procedures that support efficient event planning and execution. Evaluate workflows documentation practices and service delivery processes to identify opportunities for improved efficiency and client experience.

Vendor & Facility Management

• Manage relationships with contracted service providers including custodial facilities security audiovisual and other vendors to ensure venue readiness and consistent service standards.

Staff Supervision & Team Development

• Supervise Event Managers and support staff providing coaching training and performance oversight. Foster a collaborative team culture and support staff development to ensure strong operational performance. Oversee hiring onboarding and on-going training for event staff.

Event Oversight & Client Support

• Provide senior operational support for complex or high-profile events. Serve as a resource for staff during event execution and assist with resolving logistical challenges or client concerns.

Operational Administration & Reporting

• Ensure accurate event documentation contract records and operational data within CES systems. Maintain coordination with campus partners and support reporting related to event activity and operational performance.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities:

• Strong knowledge of event operations logistics and event execution management.

• Demonstrated ability to supervise and mentor professional staff.

• Experience managing vendor relationships and coordinating service providers.

• Excellent organizational and project management skills with the ability to manage multiple events simultaneously.

• Ability to identify operational challenges and implement practical solutions.

• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to build relationships with clients vendors and campus partners.

• Ability to remain calm and effective in fast-paced or high-pressure environments.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills across stakeholder groups.

• Ability to analyze operational processes and recommend improvements to increase efficiency.

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and event management or scheduling software.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelors degree or equivalent experience in marketing communications business hospitality management event management or related field

• Four to six years of experience in venue sales conference services hospitality sales or related revenue-generating roles

Preferred Qualifications:

• Masters degree or equivalent experience

• Six plus years of experience selling event venues or institutional facilities

• Experience with CRM platforms marketing automation tools and web analytics

• Experience with event management software

• Working knowledge of Adobe Creative Cloud applications

Working Environment:

• Combination of standard office environment and active event environments across campus venues

• On-site presence required to support event operations and venue oversight

• Event environments may involve elevated noise levels large groups and fast-paced operational activity

• Hybrid in office and work from home days based on operational needs

• Evening and weekend work required during peak event periods particularly during summer conference season

• Participation in an on-call rotation may be required to support operational needs

Physical Activities:

• Ability to sit in front of a computer for an extended period

• Occasionally required to move about the office/campus with the capability of transporting objects up to 50 lbs.

Work Schedule
Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. In accordance with the Universitys flexible work policy this position is eligible to be considered for partial remote work. Further details regarding this plan will be determined with the hiring manager and are dependent on the division and team specific needs.

Application Deadline
For consideration please submit your application materials by 4:00 p.m. (MST) May 8 2026.

Special Instructions
Candidates must apply online through to be considered. Only applications submitted online will be accepted.

Salary Grade Number:
The salary grade for the position is 12.

Salary Rate:
The salary rate for this position is $85000.

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 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 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 Denvers NonDiscriminationStatement.

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