Event Manager Grand River Conference Center

Overview

Oak View Group is the global leader in venue development, management, and premium hospitality services for the live event industry. Offering an unmatched, 360-degree solution set for a collection of world-class owned venues and a client roster that includes the most influential, highest attended arenas, convention centers, music festivals, performing arts centers, and cultural institutions on the planet.

The Event Manager is responsible for managing all aspects of assigned events from advance planning through event completion. This role includes hiring, training, scheduling, and supervising event staff; overseeing building security; and coordinating with local public safety officials to ensure safe and efficient event operations. The Event Manager serves as the primary point of coordination between event staff and security, ensuring clear communication and appropriate delegation of responsibilities.

Additionally, the position works closely with clients and the Food and Beverage provider to coordinate service needs and hospitality arrangements, maintaining a thorough understanding of all food and beverage offerings and effectively communicating those options to clients. The Event Manager is ultimately accountable for delivering an exceptional event experience and ensuring overall customer and lessee satisfaction.

This role pays an annual salary of $45,000-$50,000

Benefits for Full-Time roles: Health, Dental and Vision Insurance, 401(k) Savings Plan, 401(k) matching, and Paid Time Off (vacation days, sick days, and 11 holidays).

This position will remain open until April 24, 2026.

The Grand River Conference Center is a full-service meeting and event facility located in the Port of Dubuque, in Dubuque, Iowa. Newly renovated in 2020, featuring over 40,000+ square feet of meeting and exhibition space for events up to 2,000.

• Advance, plan, service, and supervise all events
• Plan, direct and evaluate the work of subordinates
• Provide leadership and guidance for event personnel
• Coordinate service needs with Food and Beverage provider and make hospitality arrangements as needed
• Understand and be able to articulate full food and beverage offerings to clients
• Analyze challenges, identify alternative solutions, and project consequences of proposed actions and implement recommendations in support of organizational objectives
• Communicate clearly and concisely in the English language, both orally and in writing
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with lessees/clients, co-workers, part-time staff, contractors, patrons/public and municipal officials
• Work a flexible schedule, including long nights, early mornings, weekends & holidays as needed
• Complete all duties with a customer service focus through teamwork and dedication to Oak View Group’s principles
• Assist in the preparation of building to meet the requirements of upcoming events/shows
• Assist with the completion of pre-show event financial estimates
• Assist with the completion of post-show event settlements
• Advise lessees on services available from independent contractors for events
• Recruit, train, and supervise event and security staff
• Create work schedules for event and security staff, delegate assignments, and review performance/results
• Function as a liaison between users of the facility and the facility staff
• Recommend and evaluate required event staffing levels
• Coordinate communication between building staff and show staff during load in and load out
• Investigate and resolve event-related complaints in a professional manner ensuring customer satisfaction
• Maintain equipment (radios, metal detection wands, etc.) for all event and security staff
• Make hospitality arrangements as needed
• Communicate with municipal officials, including police, fire and medical services, event staff and public to ensure security of patrons and events run smoothly
• Review emergency planning procedures with all event staff for each event
• Create and distribute detailed data sheets prior to every event
• Prepare and approve bi-weekly payroll for all event staff and security staff
• Coordinate service needs with Food and Beverage provider and…