Assistant Director for Event Operations

Position Title:

Assistant Director for Event Operations

Job Group:

Professional & Scientific

Required

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree and 5 years of related experience

Job Description:

Summary of

Duties and Responsibilities:

What if your next career move put you at the center of thousands of unforgettable moments each year? From major campus traditions and keynote speakers to conferences, banquets, student organization events, concerts, and community gatherings, the Iowa State University Memorial Union is where people come together-and we're looking for a dynamic leader to help make it all happen. As the Assistant Director for Event Operations, you'll serve as the strategic leader behind the scenes, overseeing event planning, event operations, audiovisual and technology services, and Memorial Union parking operations while helping shape the future vision of event services at one of the most active and iconic facilities on campus.

As the Assistant Director for Event Operations, you will:

* Provide strategic leadership and direct supervision for the Memorial Union's event operations functions, including event planning, audiovisual and information technology services, and parking operations.

* Lead, mentor, and evaluate professional staff, establish priorities, and ensure departmental goals and service standards are achieved.

* Oversee the planning and execution of events to ensure exceptional customer service, operational excellence, and successful client outcomes.

* Develop and implement policies, procedures, and operational standards that promote efficient, safe, and high-quality event services.

* Build and maintain collaborative relationships with campus partners, community organizations, vendors, and external stakeholders.

* Serve as the senior representative for Memorial Union event operations in university-wide planning, coordination, and partnership efforts.

* Develop business strategies, revenue-generating initiatives, and space utilization plans that support long-term operational sustainability and growth.

* Collaborate on marketing and promotional efforts to increase facility usage, event activity, and customer engagement.

* Manage budgets, financial planning, equipment replacement schedules, and technology investments for event operations.

* Utilize assessment data, customer feedback, and operational metrics to drive continuous improvement and enhance service delivery.

* Establish and maintain standards for event execution, space readiness, safety, accessibility, and customer satisfaction.

* Serve as the primary escalation point for complex, high-profile, and large-scale events requiring strategic leadership and decision-making.

* Partner with facility operations leadership to ensure seamless coordination between building operations, event services, and customer needs.

* Oversee event technology, audiovisual systems, and event management software platforms that support successful event delivery.

* Champion innovation, collaboration, and a customer-focused culture that enhances the Memorial Union's role as the center of campus life.

Preferred Qualifications:

* Advanced experience supervising and developing professional and/or student staff in a complex, customer-focused environment

* Experience leading operational improvements, implementing new initiatives, or managing organizational change with a focus on future growth and innovation

* Experience managing event operations, conference services, venue operations, student union operations, hospitality operations, or similar large-scale service environments

* Experience developing and managing budgets, utilizing data to inform decisions, and supporting revenue generation or business planning efforts. Experience establishing operational and training standards, assessing outcomes, engaging in student development, and using data to drive continuous improvement

Department/Program & College

Description:

The Iowa State University Memorial Union (MU) was established as a living memorial to Iowa Staters who gave their lives in military service and has served as the heart of campus life since opening in 1928. For nearly a century, the MU has brought together…