A cover letter is required for consideration for this position and should be attached as the first page of your resume. The cover letter should address your specific interest in the position and outline skills and experience that directly relate to this position.

Department Summary:

Conference and Event Services is the gateway to the tradition, history, and prestige of the many unique and distinctive venues at the University of Michigan. Our team works with internal and external clients to create events from ideation to finale. We partner with teams across the university and local vendors to produce successful events which exceed guests' expectations.

Position Summary:

Lead an event management team (currently 8 full-time employees) to ensure that all event contracts for University Unions facilities are accurate, complete and timely.  Maintain a portfolio of events requiring multiple service coordination.

SUPERVISION (50%)

• Hire, train, schedule, supervise and evaluate employees (currently 8 full time employees). 
• Assist with indirectly supervising the Meetings and Special Events Assistants and temporary employees including student staff. 
• Distribute workload amongst staff to ensure that all contracts for meetings and events are timely, accurate and complete. 
• Assign staff as needed to handle weekend sales inquiries.
• Ensure that responses to phone, email and on-line inquiries are provided in a timely manner by ensuring adequate phone coverage and call center responses.
• Facilitate culture and expectations of high customer service.

OPERATIONS (40%)

• Create detailed contracts for events that clearly and accurately communicate all services that support these events including food service, audio-visual, room set-up, linens, florals, rental equipment etc.  
• Effectively communicate customer requests and event requirements with operations and food service departments in a timely and efficient manner, and act as a team member with operations and food service staff in planning and facilitating events.
• Use independent judgment to resolve issues.
• Update contracts to reflect added billable items, price changes and customer driven changes.
• Assist with yield management to maximize room usage.
• Actively assist in planning, development, and implementation of internal operating systems and procedures to facilitate delivery of conference management services.
• Respond to inquiries and concerns of customers.  
• Lead site tours, site selections, sales meetings and various functions for potential clients.

OTHER (10%)

• Perform event management duties as necessary.
• Assist in and perform other duties as assigned or as may be related to Conferences & Events.
• As a member of Conferences & Events and the Division of Student Affairs, serve on various committees and work teams as requested.
• Attend and participate in staff training and professional development opportunities.

• Bachelor's degree and a minimum of 4 years of event management experience in a corporate hospitality or university environment; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum 2 years experience supervising professional and/or student staff.
• Working knowledge and proven experience with Microsoft Office Suite (to include Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and  Google Suite.
• Must be willing to travel, staff exhibits at trade shows, and meet with potential clients.
• Must be available and willing to work flexibly in an environment where extensive early morning, evening, and weekend hours are customary.

• Experience in or strong familiarity with higher education.
• Experience in conference planning.
• Familiarity with event management and room diagramming software is desirable including EMS and Social Tables.

Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes.

Position Responsibilities Criteria (leadership and behavioral qualities expected in this position):

• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills.
• Demonstrated ability to problem solve and be adaptable in a fast-paced environment.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities and navigate change effectively. 

Financial/Budgetary Responsibility:

Job includes management of P-Card $7500, approval of payroll, and creation of budget for temporary salaries.

Working Conditions:

Requires a flexible schedule to accommodate occasional early morning, evening and weekend events. In addition, this job may occasionally require more than 40 hours a week.

Physical Requirements:

Role is required to remain in a stationary position for extended periods of time, transport heavy objects occasionally.

Direct Reports: 

8 Meetings/Special Event Managers.

This role may have reporting obligations under Title IX and Clery.  

Authorization to work in the U.S. is a precondition of employment and applicants for this position will not be sponsored for work visas.  

Salary may vary depending on qualifications, experience, and education of the selected candidate.

Selected candidates whose start date is 4/1/2025 or after, will not be eligible for the university FY25-26 salary/merit plan unless otherwise notified.

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Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days.  The review and selection process may begin as early as the eighth day after posting. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled anytime after the minimum posting period has ended.

The University of Michigan is an equal employment opportunity employer.