Manager, Ritchie Center Events & Operations

At the University of Denver Student Affairs is at the heart of the student journeyempowering every student to thrive academically personally and professionally. Rooted in DUs signature 4D Experience our division is committed to fostering holistic development through four dimensions: deepen intellect develop wellbeing discover character and design careers and lives of purpose.
Our work reaches far beyond the classroom. Through dynamic high-impact programs services and experiences offered at both the Denver Campus and the Kennedy Mountain Campus we foster inclusive communities promote health and wellness cultivate exploration engagement and leadership and develop a deep sense of belonging. We are committed to creating a high-touch environment where students and participants connect meaningfully grow confidently and thrive personally and collectively.
As a division we serve the broader DU and Denver community which includes:

• Current DU Students & Families
• Prospective Students & Families
• Faculty & Staff
• Alumni & Donors
• Local Community
• Companies & Organizations
• National Peers & Media

Together we are shaping a vibrant supportive and dynamic campus culture where every student and participant can discover their potential and make a meaningful impact.

The Student Affairs division includes the following units:

• 4D Experience
• Office of External Relations (OER)
• Housing Residential Education and Dining Services
• Driscoll & Community Commons
• Business and Planning
• Student Engagement
• New Student & Family Programs
• Kennedy Mountain Campus
• DU Outdoors
• Wellness & Recreation
• Health & Counseling Center
• Learning Effectiveness Program
• Student Disability Services
• Student Outreach & Support
• Student Rights & Responsibilities
• Veteran & Military Resources
• Office of the Dean of Students

Kennedy Mountain Campus Wellness & Recreation

The Kennedy Mountain Campus Wellness & Recreation department at the University of Denver (DU) is a vibrant and integrative unit that advances the universitys holistic 4D Experiencesupporting intellectual growth well-being character development and purposeful careers and lives. By bridging DUs urban and mountain campuses the department offers immersive wellness and recreational programs that cultivate personal growth resilience and meaningful community engagement.

At the heart of our urban campus the Daniel L. Ritchie Center for Sports and Wellness fosters a championship culture grounded in excellence integrity and connection. Drawing inspiration from the spirit of the Rocky Mountain West our team embraces innovation and builds lasting relationships that serve as a vital link across DUs diverse community.

Nestled beside Roosevelt National Forest the James C. Kennedy Mountain Campus spans 724 acres of breathtaking wilderness. This unique setting provides students with transformative nature-based learning experiences designed to deepen their connection to self others and the natural world. With a focus on leadership character development and holistic well-beingspanning social spiritual and physical dimensionsthe campus is a cornerstone of DUs commitment to experiential education.

Position Summary

The Manager of Ritchie Center Events & Operations is a visible hands-on operational manager responsible for delivering exceptional safety service quality and operational excellence across the Ritchie Centers diverse portfolio of venues including parking facilities fitness and aquatic centers ice and field venues satellite facilities and support spaces. This role sets and sustains high performance standards for daily operations staff performance and customer experience ensuring each venue operates safely efficiently and in alignment with divisional and department priorities.

The position provides direct management and oversight of core operating units including facility operations event and rental supervision front-line staffing food and beverage inventory locker room operations and service delivery systems. The Manager leads the recruitment training scheduling and performance management of service and facility associates fostering a culture of accountability continuous improvement teamwork and pride in service.

In addition to primary responsibility for operational venues this position provides management and operational support for Ritchie Center spectator venuessuch as Magness Arena Hamilton Gymnasium Barton Lacrosse Stadium and Soccer Stadiumwhen utilized by the Department of Kennedy Mountain Campus Wellness & Recreation. The Manager serves as a key operational partner during events and peak activity periods ensuring seamless coordination policy compliance and consistent standards across all spaces.

Serving as a Manager on Duty the position requires the ability to make sound real-time decisions manage competing priorities and lead during high-traffic high-expectation environments. Working hours will include evenings nights and weekends based on facility activity and divisional needs. The Manager is expected to model flexibility reliability and professionalism while maintaining a strong on-site management presence.

This role is central to delivering a distinctive and personalized customer experience at every point of interaction. Through intentional supervision of front-line operations the Manager ensures excellence in parking and access facility entry transactions communication facility condition safety and customer engagement creating environments where participants spectators and guests feel welcomed supported and valued.

This position summary is not designed to capture all activities duties or responsibilities required for this position. Responsibilities may change or new ones may be assigned at any time.

Essential Functions

Lead and Supervise Part-Time Staff

• Provide direct leadership for approximately 50 part-time employees setting clear expectations for professionalism safety service excellence and accountability.
• Recruit hire train schedule and deploy staff to ensure consistent high-quality facility operations across multiple venues.
• Foster a performance-driven team culture through proactive communication recognition and corrective action ensuring staff are engaged prepared and aligned with divisional and department standards and customer service priorities.

Ensure Staff Compliance and Performance

• Establish and maintain rigorous performance standards through ongoing training coaching and evaluation of part-time staff.
• Ensure required certifications compliance training and in-services are completed documented and current.
• Administer bi-weekly payroll accurately and on time within approved budgets.
• Address performance issues promptly and consistently using data feedback and coaching to drive improvement mitigate risk and reinforce a culture of accountability and operational excellence.

Oversee Daily Facility Operations and Service Standards

• Ensure all assigned facilities are operated at a high standard of safety cleanliness functionality and customer readiness.
• Oversee regular facility inspections work-order identification and coordination inventory control locker room operations and point-of-sale (POS) inventory ordering and sales processes.
• Translate operational standards into daily execution ensuring issues are identified early resolved efficiently and communicated effectively to maintain a consistently positive member and guest experience.

Maintain Facility Readiness and Operational Efficiency

• Serve as Manager on Duty across multiple venues providing on-site management decision-making and real-time problem resolution.
• Ensure adherence to all facility policies procedures and safety protocols while supervising staff performance during peak usage and high-impact periods.
• Proactively balance competing demands respond to emergent issues and maintain operational continuity to enhance participant satisfaction risk management and overall facility effectiveness.

Support Event Operations and Logistics

• Support the planning and execution of internal programs and external events by ensuring appropriate staffing facility readiness and operational coordination.
• Partner with event stakeholders to translate event requirements into efficient operational plans adjusting staffing and resources as needed to ensure safe seamless and high-quality event delivery that reflects positively on the Ritchie Center and the division.

Manage and Optimize Operational Systems and Communication

• Ensure accurate consistent and effective use of the Connect2 system to support inspections task management standard operating procedures (SOPs) and daily staff communication.
• Leverage systems and documentation to reinforce expectations improve consistency increase efficiency and support transparency across operations.
• Continuously evaluate workflows and information flow to identify opportunities for process improvement and stronger operational alignment.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities

• Ability to motivate and build relationships with part-time staff to achieve desired outcome in relation to a high-quality service and experience for students members and guests.
• Ability to engage and strengthen our relationships with students alumni and the Denver community.
• Ability to solve operational problems and deal with a variety of variables in situations where only limited standardization may exist.
• Ability to work with the public with tact and judgment.
• Excellent organizational skills and time management abilities.
• Ability to work with facility scheduling employee scheduling and program registration software.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelors Degree
• 1 year of related experience
• CPR; First Aid; AED; Blood Borne Pathogen; Concussion Training

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelors Degree in recreation management or related degree
• 2 years experience managing in a sports or recreation facility.

Working Environment

Working Environment: Standard office environment unexpected interruptions occur often and stress level is moderate to high noise level is quiet to moderate.

This position requires employees to work onsite with a primary schedule of afternoons and evenings. It is primarily a Tuesday through Saturday work week.

Staff are expected to support student Hallmark Tradition and other program events throughout the year.

Physical Activities

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 20 lbs.

Work Schedule
Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Application Deadline
For consideration please submit your application materials by 4:00 p.m. (MST) July 31 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 9.

Salary Rate:
The salary rate for this position is $60000.

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 based upon satisfactory completion of a criminal history and National Sex Offender Registry background check.