Facilities and Events Manager

Title: Facilities and Events Manager

Executive Area: Academic Affairs

College/School/MBU: Social & Behavioral Sciences

Department: Landscape Arch & Regional Plan

Work Location: Amherst

Schedule: Full Time

Work Arrangement: Onsite

The Facilities and Events Manager for the John W. Olver Design Building is responsible for the day-to-day operational management, facilities and events oversight, and instructional infrastructure support for a complex, high-use academic facility which houses three departments:
Architecture, Building and Construction Technology, and Landscape Architecture and Regional Planning. The position balances competing priorities across multiple departments and stakeholders while advancing shared operational goals and maintaining a high level of customer service.

Serves as the primary operational liaison among faculty, staff, students, campus service units, and external partners. This position ensures that building facilities, instructional spaces, technologies, and event infrastructure are maintained and operated effectively in support of the academic, research, outreach, and public engagement missions of the participating departments.

The Facilities and Events Manager oversees building operations; develops and maintains productive relationships with campus partners including Facilities and Campus Services, Environmental Health and Safety, and Information Technology; and manages processes that ensure classrooms, studios, labs, exhibition spaces, and collaborative environments remain safe, functional, technologically equipped, and operationally ready.

Serves as the primary building-level manager for facilities operations, identifying needs, coordinating responses, and ensuring timely resolution of issues affecting building occupants.

Manages maintenance and repair processes in partnership with Facilities and Campus Services, prioritizing requests, monitoring progress and ensuring satisfactory completion of work.

Conducts regular assessments of building conditions and operational readiness, identifying maintenance, safety, space, and infrastructure needs and recommending solutions.

Oversees vendor access, contracted services, and facility-related projects, ensuring alignment with university policies, operational requirements, and departmental objectives.

Partners with department and college leadership to support capital improvements, renovations, and long-range facility planning efforts.

Oversees operational support for instructional and production technologies within classrooms, studios, labs, and collaborative spaces, ensuring resources remain functional and accessible.

Serves as the primary liaison to Information Technology regarding classroom technologies, equipment maintenance, hardware replacement planning, and infrastructure improvements.

Directs the planning and oversight of contractor-supported installation, maintenance, calibration and servicing of computer labs, digital plotters/printers, fabrication technologies, and specialized instructional equipment.

Manages equipment inventory and lifecycle replacement planning, evaluating operational needs, assessing equipment needs, and recommending upgrades, replacements, and future investments to support instructional and operational objectives.

Develops and maintains documentation, procedures, and resources related to building technologies and specialized equipment.

Oversees the operational readiness and effective utilization of studios, labs, fabrication spaces, exhibition areas, and other shared instructional environments.

Establishes, implements, and continuously improves operational procedures and standards for specialized spaces and equipment.

Manages environmental health and safety compliance activities in collaboration with EH&S, interpreting applicable requirements and operational protocols.

Develops and delivers training and guidance for faculty, staff, and student employees on the use of building resources, equipment, and space procedures to ensure safe and effective operations.

Identifies opportunities to improve space utilization, operational efficiency, and user experience throughout the Design Building.

Serves as the operational lead for building-based events, exhibitions, lectures, studio reviews, critiques, presentations, and related activities requiring facilities coordination and logistical support.

Manages event implementation processes, including space configuration, room setup and turnover, furniture arrangement, exhibition preparation, technology readiness, and coordination of operational support services.

Consults with faculty, staff, and event organizers regarding space capabilities, setup requirements, timelines, and logistical considerations to support successful events.

Develops and maintains standardized procedures, timelines, and operational expectations for…