Assistant Director for Conference and Event Services
University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
Application
Details
Posted: 07-Jan-23
Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan
Salary: Open
Internal Number: 228823
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.
Lead an event management team (currently 6 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 6 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.
Excellent interpersonal, organizational, planning, communication and problem solving skills, with an emphasis on commitment to customer service.
Ability to work under pressure and handle multiple tasks requiring a high degree of attention to detail.
Ability to work autonomously within a team of skilled professionals.
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.
Working knowledge and proven experience with Microsoft Office Suite (to include Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and Google Suite.
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.
Position Criteria:
Skills: Communication, Organization, Attention to Detail
Abilities: Work with cross-functional departments, Manage change
Competencies: Food Service Knowledge, Event Logistics
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
6-8 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.
#studentlife
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 opportunity/affirmative action employer.
U-M COVID-19 Vaccination Policy
COVID-19 vaccinations, including one booster when eligible, are required for all University of Michigan students, faculty and staff across all campuses, including Michigan Medicine. This includes those working remotely and temporary workers. More information on this new policy is available on the U-M Health Response website or the UM-Dearborn and UM-Flint websites.
A great university is made so by its faculty and staff, and Michigan is recognized as one of the best universities to work for in the country. The Michigan culture is known for engaging faculty and staff in all facets of the university to create a workplace that is vibrant and stimulating.For two consecutive years, the Chronicle of Higher Education has placed U-M in its "Great Colleges to Work For" survey. In particular, the university earns high marks for strong relations between faculty and administrators, a collaborative system of governance, strong pay and benefits, and a healthy work/life balance.