Conference and Events Manager

A cover letter is required for consideration for this position and should be attached as the first page of your resume. The cover letter should address your specific interest in the position and outline skills and experience that directly relate to this position.

The University of Michigan Detroit Center (UMDC), was established 20 years ago to strengthen connections between UM faculty, students, staff, and Detroit communities. Over two decades, it has significantly increased multidisciplinary collaborations and long-term partnerships between UM and Detroit stakeholders.

The Detroit Center's mission is to support, facilitate and enable partnerships and collaborations between the University of Michigan and Detroit communities, centered in education, applied learning and/or research endeavors. The Detroit Center organizes activities that promote awareness and collaborative opportunities through virtual and in-person events.

As the Conference and Events Manager at UMDC, you will oversee daily operations, including space reservations for offices, desks, and meeting/conference rooms. You will serve as the primary contact for organizations hosting events. You will manage all aspects of event planning and logistics, including project schedules, budgets, resource allocation, catering, AV/recording, room setup, and essential services. You will guide event leads through every phase of event execution, manage UMDC event staff, handle event billing reconciliations, and prepare internal reports on events and facility usage.

You will report to the Senior Project Manager

Work Arrangement: This is a fully on-site position in Detroit, Michigan, with occasional evening or weekend hours for workshops and special events. #LI-Onsite

Location: The role is located at the University of Michigan Detroit Center, inside Orchestra Place, 3663 Woodward Avenue, Suite 150, Midtown Detroit, MI 48201.

In addition to a career filled with purpose and opportunity, The University of Michigan offers a comprehensive benefits package to help you stay well, protect yourself and your family and plan for a secure future. Benefits include:

• Generous time off
• A retirement plan that provides two-for-one matching contributions with immediate vesting
• Many choices for comprehensive health insurance
• Life insurance
• Long-term disability coverage
• Flexible spending accounts for healthcare and dependent care expenses

Event Operations and Logistics

• Act as the primary liaison for external stakeholders, providing prompt information on available spaces, services, and Center policies.
• Coordinate logistics for external events, including space setup, A/V, catering, and timelines, collaborating with internal teams to meet all requirements.
• Prepare event orders, confirm details with clients and vendors, and conduct walkthroughs as needed.
• Provide basic IT support for events, ensuring technology functions smoothly and resolving issues promptly.

Administrative, Reporting, and Strategic Collaboration

• Maintain accurate records of event bookings, correspondence, and feedback, and track event metrics (e.g., attendance), supplying regular reports to the Center's Director and Project Manager.
• Promote the Center's services to prospective partners and support marketing/outreach initiatives.
• Collaborate with the Project Manager on planning and executing innovative events and programs, contributing new ideas for the Center's strategic direction.

• Bachelor's degree in Hospitality, Business Administration, IT, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience in event planning/management or facilities management.
• At least three years of experience planning and executing conferences or special events.
• Experience planning, coordinating, and executing events or projects simultaneously.
• Proficiency in event logistics: space reservations, scheduling, setup, catering, and vendor coordination.
• Demonstrated ability to proactively anticipate, identify, and resolve potential problems or disruptions before and during events, ensuring flawless event execution and an exceptional experience for all participants.
• Intermediate to advanced IT and AV support experience for presentations and event technology.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills for effective interaction with stakeholders and partners.
• Experience supervising, training, and guiding event staff.
• Experience in event budget preparation, expense reconciliation, billing, and maintaining financial/event data records.

Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes .

The work requires, or the supervisor approves a fully onsite presence. Onsite is defined as a designated U-M owned or leased work location within or outside of the State of Michigan.