Description
The Conferences and Events Manager is responsible for overseeing and providing logistical and event management support to a select number of conference groups, events, housing groups/individuals, and summer camps. This position will establish and maintain positive, professional relationships with campus and community partners through effective, accurate, timely, and reliable communication and action. This position seeks to ensure that each guest’s expectations, requirements, and requests are met prior to arrival and throughout their stay on campus. In addition, this position shares in the 24/7 summer weeknight and weekend duty rotation responsibilities (typically one week per month in the summer).
The Conferences and Event Manager has an essential role in the Conferences and Events office. The Conferences and Events team provides on-campus summer housing and year-round hospitality and logistical services for conferences, symposiums, workshops, and special events hosted on the Vanderbilt campus. The Conferences and Event Manager is responsible for interfacing with potential clients, providing registration services, creating room assignments, and acting as the primary point of contact for a select number of summer conference groups. The Conferences and Event Manager provides valuable support for the leadership team and works to highlight the best of Vanderbilt.
Duties and Responsibilities:
The Conferences and Event Manager is responsible for several essential projects including, but not limited to:
Academic Conference and Event Management
Sales: Respond to Requests for Proposals (RFPs) and maintain a record of all prospective clients.
Act as the one point of contact for any client or organization conference or hospitality needs.
Utilize technologies as needed (Event management databases and online registration).
Initiate and develop all aspects of a conference, event, or summer program budget, and works with the client to evaluate the appropriate price structure while managing interactions with internal and external service providers. (hospitality 1 stop shop)
Provide comprehensive onsite management as dictated by programs. Provide a high level of customer service to guests and clients, ensuring that respect, responsiveness, and professionalism is demonstrated.
Cultivate and develop beneficial relationships with internal and external service providers and organizations. Serve as a liaison with numerous university departments and external organizations. Communicate department’s ongoing program activity to Vanderbilt departments and community that may be affected.
Manage relationships and creates systems with internal and external providers, including delivery of all contracted services contracted by VC&E working closely with providers.
Manage all service arrangements, ongoing client communications, and quote to final invoice
Create and track individual conference contracts and vendor orders
Coordinate room changes and assignments as needed (both on and off campus venues)
Collect data and any materials for assigned groups (dining, housing, transportation, parking, meeting space and linen needs, etc.)
Summer Residential Operations & Logistical support
Support all aspects related to summer residential housing operation, space and dining
Work with Managers to pull room keys and access cards for summer housing assignments
Maintain ongoing customer support for any group or guest issues as they arise, troubleshoot as necessary
Manage student teams assigned to summer conference housing as needed
Support assignments, check-in and check-out of summer guests
Arrange parking for visiting guests and summer conference groups
Coordinate dining and catering services –collect dining contracts, dietary restrictions, dining meeting times and capacities from all conference groups
Help ensure that the Vanderbilt Protection of Minors policy is being observed by all visiting guests utilizing facilities on campus
About Us
Vanderbilt is a community of talented and diverse staff & faculty!At Vanderbilt University , our work - regardless of title or role - is in service to an important and noble mission in which every member of our community serves in advancing knowledge and transforming lives on a daily basis. Located in Nashville, Tennessee, on a 330+ acre campus and arboretum dating back to 1873, Vanderbilt is proud to have been named as one of “America’s Best Large Employers” as well as a top employer in Tennessee and the Nashville metropolitan area by Forbes for several years running. We welcome those who are interested in learning and growing professionally with an employer that strives to create, foster and sustain opportunities as an employer of choice through:
Working and growing together as a community of communities... we are One Vanderbilt.
Providing a work environment where every staff and faculty member can be their authentic and best self, while providing the resources and opportunities to learn and grow.
Encouraging development, collaboration, and partnership both internally and externally while fostering the value that every member of the Vanderbilt community can lead and grow regardless of title or position.
We understand you have a choice when choosing where to work and pursue a career. We understand you are unique and have a story. We want to hear it. We encourage you to apply today so that you might become a part of our story.
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Vanderbilt University has made the health and safety of our students, faculty and staff and our surrounding communities a top priority. As part of that commitment, the University may require employees to comply with any testing or health and safety measures which the University may require.
Commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
At Vanderbilt University, we are intentional about and assume accountability for fostering advancement and respect for equity, diversity, and inclusion for all students, faculty, and staff. Our commitment to diversity makes us who we are. We have created a community that celebrates differences and lets individuality thrive. As part of this commitment, we actively value diversity in our workplace and learning environments as we seek to take advantage of the rich backgrounds and abilities of everyone. The diverse voices of Vanderbilt represent an invaluable resource for the University in its efforts to fulfill its mission and strive to be an example of excellence in higher education.
Vanderbilt University is an equal-opportunity, affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Please note, all candidates selected for an offer of employment are subject to pre-employment background checks, which may include but are not limited to, based on the role for which they have been selected: criminal history, education verification, social media review, motor vehicle records, credit history, and professional license verification.
Requirements
A bachelor’s degree is necessary.
A master’s degree and collegiate conference and event planning is preferred.
3-5 years’ experience in event management or related professional area is necessary.
Excellent time and project management skills and a positive attitude are essential.
Strong interpersonal communication skills are necessary, along with organization and creative thinking.
Process-driven, team player, proactive decision maker.
Ability to maintain positive interpersonal relationships with internal and external customers is necessary.
