Housing, Conferences and Events Manager

**Position description**:
Reporting to the Director, Administrative Services, the Housing, Conference & Events Manager is responsible for the development, planning and day-to-day management of housing facilities for students, and conference/event services for the University community and external groups. These functions include developing strategies to meet identified targets; marketing and communications, including social media; monitoring budgets and financial performance; data integrity and reporting; implementing software upgrades and process improvements; overseeing day-to-day requirements of student housing on campus; creating and managing sales opportunities; managing all aspects of the campus event bookings and summer conferences including quotations, contracts, hiring and training of student assistants; planning and execution of one-stop-shop services for small and large conferences and events; and providing the highest possible level of customer service to students, faculty, staff and visitors.

The Housing, Conferences & Events Manager is responsible for the management and direct supervision of the Coordinator, Events & Summer Camps, and the Housing & Conferences Assistant.

As a member of the Administrative Services leadership team, this position plays a key role in fostering engagement, development, and teamwork through proactive communication and planning, innovation, and leadership. The incumbent also provides consultation and coordination with Residence Life.

**Position Responsibilities**

**Major Responsibilities for Conferences and Events**
- Conducts short and long-term planning and management for conferences and events and sales.
- Develops and recommends the budget, department objectives, and manages within those approved plans.
- Develops, recommends, and implements effective marketing plans for generating revenues.
- Maintains or exceeds financial target in all areas.
- Evaluates each service to ensure business can be properly serviced.
- Seeks opportunities to assemble creative and innovative events based on internal capabilities.
- Trains, supervises, and works with staff to solicit and book conference, banquet and catering functions, as well as the planning and executions of the functions.
- Leads department to build long-term, value-based customer relationships that enable achievement of financial objectives.
- Administers all phases of the conference and events department, including but not limited to sales, planning, marketing, servicing, and administrative procedures.
- Coaches and counsels employees to reflect service standards and procedures.

**Major Responsibilities for Student Housing**
- Manage all aspects of residence operations including facilities, room assignments, occupancy rate management, and student services.
- Responsible for maintaining and implementing changes to residence-based software, including the residence management system and portal.
- Oversee residence contracts to ensure that the best interests of the residence are being met.
- Develop and manage annual operating budgets.
- Establish and foster a positive customer service-based culture with a strong focus on equity, diversity and inclusion.
- Develop and oversee residence policies.
- In conjunction with Residence Life and other University departments, orchestrate the successful move-in of residence students each fall and transition each spring to conference and events, while ensuring maximum occupancy.
- Manage projects with internal and external stakeholders using a student-centered approach to contribute to the overall improvement and efficiency of the residence operations and facilities.
- Manage a team of full and seasonal personnel to ensure a high level of performance through effective recruitment, selection, training, motivation, professional development and evaluation.
- Ensure that staff have been trained in established emergency response procedures.
- Provide after-hours support to a 24-hour operation, including responding to after-hours phone calls.

Perform other related duties as required.

**Qualifications/skills**:

- Bachelor’s degree
- At least three years of management experience in the hospitality sector, event management, or sales and marketing
- Excellent financial management, organizational, and marketing skills
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with a proven focus on customer service and the ability to work with a wide range of clients including students, staff, conference organizers and guests
- High level of professionalism and sensitivity toward the cultural diversity of the campus community
- Proficiency with MS Office and various social media
- Excellent database and spreadsheet skills and ability to learn new software
- Ability to work flexible hours including nights, weekends and holidays at certain times of the year
- Experience or familiarity with university housing operations, conference operations, StarRez and card access software are definite asse