Associate Director, Conferences & Event Services - Sales & Marketing

** Position Summary
** Responsible for driving revenue and brand positioning of the university as a premier conference and event destination. Leads strategic sales, marketing, contract negotiation, vendor management, and execution of on-campus conferences, camps, and events. Provides leadership to their student staff, collaborating across departments to ensure a top-tier event experience.

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- ** Primary Responsibilities
***** Sales & Marketing Strategy
**** Develops and implements multi-channel sales and marketing plans for local, regional, and national conferences and events to take place on campus.
* Identifies and pursues new business opportunities through RFPs, trade shows, site visits, and outbound sales missions.
* Grows and nurtures a robust network of meeting planners, vendors, tourism bureaus, and community stakeholders.
*** Revenue Generation & Budget Management
**** Negotiates contracts—facility rentals, catering, AV, accommodations—ensuring profitable margins.
* Oversees event budgets, revenue forecasting, sponsorship packages, and financial performance tracking.
* Works closely with Finance to report KPIs such as booking rates, revenue per event, client satisfaction, and ROI metrics.
*** Vendor & Client Relations
**** Manages external vendors (caterers, AV, maintenance) to ensure alignment and quality delivery.
* Serves as primary liaison for clients before, during, and after events—conducting site visits, drafting agreements, and resolving issues promptly.
*** Team Leadership & Operational Management
**** Assists in recruitment, training, development, and performance management of the conference services team.
* Ensures seamless internal operations: coordinating room scheduling, housing plans, Risk Management, Facilities, Dining, Public Safety, and Campus Services.
*** Program Operations & Compliance
**** Directs logistics execution from pre-event planning to post-event wrap-up.
* Maintains scheduling databases and works closely with scheduling coordinators to optimize space usage.
* Ensures compliance with government regulations, institutional policies, and risk management protocols.
*** Market Intelligence & Continuous Improvement
**** Conducts competitor benchmarking, market trend analysis, and client satisfaction surveys.
* Presents data-backed insights and strategic recommendations to senior leadership.
*** Communications & Brand Management
**** Collaborates with University Communications to maintain high-impact website content and sales collateral.
* Develops promotional materials, email campaigns, proposals, and recap presentations for internal and external audiences.
*** Event Coverage
**** Supports event oversight, including evenings and weekends, as needed—especially during peak times like summer camps and off-season rentals.# #
** Additional Position Information:
**** Minimum Qualifications
***** Education
* ** Bachelor’s degree in Sales, Marketing, Business, Hospitality, Communications, or related field.
*** Experience
* *** 3+ years in sales, marketing, or event management—preferably in higher education, hospitality, or conference event services.
* Demonstrable success in revenue growth, sponsorship sales, and ROI measurement.
* Proven experience with budgeting, contract negotiations, and vendor relationship management.
* Supervisory experience leading a student staff and directing marketing and sales initiatives.
*** Preferred Qualifications
**** 5+ years in higher education event services, conference center, or hospitality.
* Strong understanding of CRM/event management systems (e.g., Banner, Cvent).
* Excellent communication, presentation, organizational, and customer service skills.
*** Physical Requirements & Working Conditions
**** Primarily office-based; involves campus walkthroughs, occasional lifting (