Director of Tifton Campus Conference Center

Director of Tifton Campus Conference Center

The UGA Tifton Campus Conference Center is operated by the University of Georgia with support from the Tifton/Tift County Board of Tourism. The Conference Center hosts approximately 250 meetings annually for 50,000 conference attendees. The Director is responsible for negotiating multi‑year agreements, meeting client hospitality requests including catering and decorations, developing and implementing new policies, coordinating with law enforcement, coordinating security for visiting public figures, serving as a member of the Tifton Tift County Tourism Association, marketing and sales, coordinating conference center activities, and supervising conference center staff.

The Conference Center serves the diverse needs of the local community and region, as well as the research, extension, and academic needs of the College of Agricultural and Environmental Resources. This first‑class conference facility has a wide array of meeting rooms, two commercial kitchens, banquet rooms, a large auditorium with seating for 2,200, small auditoriums with seating for 200, and a ballroom that can seat up to 1,000 people.

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field or equivalent plus ten years of professional experience, including at least three years of supervisory experience.

• Understanding of program development and implementation, logistics, and hospitality.
• Excellent interpersonal skills to assist with event planning for a wide range of clientele, including public and private events from across Georgia.
• Flexible hours and overnight travel for marketing and sales.

• Lift lightweight materials in order to set up marketing presentations.
• Travel overnight.
• Driving as needed to perform job duties.

• Supervise, evaluate, and mentor staff, including event coordinators, business manager, catering manager, marketing services, facilities manager and administrative assistants.
• Implement professional development plans and cross‑training opportunities.
• Establish clear performance standards, procedures and standard operating procedures to ensure consistent operations and compliance with UGA, OSHA, and emergency preparedness protocols.
• Oversee daily interdepartmental coordination to ensure seamless event flow and operational efficiency.
• Manage scheduling software and related technologies supporting event execution.
• Review financial reports provided by the business manager to identify trends and support strategic decisions.
• Foster a culture of professionalism, collaboration, and excellent customer service.
• Partner with maintenance and custodial teams to ensure facilities are safe, clean and well maintained.
• Develop strategic goals aligned with the university’s mission in education, research, and public service.
• Provide on‑site management and immediate problem solving during major high‑profile events.

• Oversee and manage the operating budget to ensure fiscal responsibility and stability.
• Ensure accounting and reporting practices comply with university directives.
• Plan and budget for facility improvements that enhance efficiency and guest experience.
• Negotiate and manage vendor and service contracts, including catering, maintenance, and event planning software.
• Develop and implement cost‑control strategies while maintaining service quality.
• Optimize pricing structures and vendor agreements to maximize revenue and minimize expenses.

• Promote the conference center as a premier venue for university and external events.
• Recruit high‑value conferences and recurring private events that generate significant revenue.
• Secure and manage events that require advanced expertise, such as high‑profile or government related functions (e.g., legislative forums, utility company weather‑related disasters, Department of Health or Education events). These engagements typically involve complex contractual requirements and heightened confidentiality standards.
• Plan and host multiple major public events annually.
• Lead marketing and outreach…