"DIRECTOR OF EVENTS & HOSPITALITY MANAGEMENT #00085489"

Hiring Department

Vice Chancellor- Finance & Operations

Job Description

The Director of Events & Hospitality Management provides vision, leadership, and operational oversight for campuswide event management, hospitality services, and venue operations. This role oversees daily event operations across the Havener Center, Innovation Lab, Welcome Center, Leach Theatre, and outdoor event spaces, ensuring exceptional guest experiences, seamless logistics, and a consistently high standard of service. Reporting to the Assistant Vice Chancellor for Business Operations and Strategy, the director collaborates broadly with event planners, students, faculty, staff, and community partners to support a cohesive, strategic, and service-focused approach to campus events and venue management.

The most successful candidate will bring a strategic mindset, a strong commitment to exceptional customer service, and the ability to thrive in a dynamic, evolving environment. They will be adaptable, solutions-focused, and comfortable leading through change while maintaining a calm, professional presence. This individual will excel at building relationships, anticipating needs, and creating thoughtful, well-organized experiences that reflect the university’s mission and values.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Department Management

• Lead all operations for the Events & Hospitality department, including scheduling, planning, and execution of a wide range of university and community events
• Oversee and mentor full-time staff and student employees, fostering an inclusive and growth-oriented team culture with strong communication, service excellence, and professional development
• Collaborate with senior leadership and cross-campus partners to develop long-range strategies that enhance financial sustainability, elevate the guest experience, and strengthen the department’s impact on campus life
• Guide future expansion projects by participating in collaborative planning sessions with internal stakeholders and external advisors
• Build and maintain strong partnerships with departments across campus, including Marketing & Communications, Student Affairs, University Parking, Catering, and academic/administrative units to ensure alignment and shared success

Operational Oversight

• Oversee event venue operations for the Havener Center, Innovation Lab, Welcome Center, Leach Theatre, outdoor spaces, and upcoming facilities, ensuring seamless coordination of event logistics from setup to teardown
• Ensure optimal space utilization by managing scheduling, forecasting operational needs, and implementing effective space-cost allocation strategies
• Maintain a comprehensive master calendar of campus events in collaboration with Marketing & Communications, improving visibility, communication, and campuswide planning

Systems Management & Process Improvement

• Direct the campuswide adoption, optimization, and ongoing management of the EMS event management system, streamlining workflows and consolidating support services
• Develop clear processes, service expectations, and operational protocols to ensure consistent, customer-focused service delivery
• Establish external rental rates, usage agreements, and policies to ensure transparency and efficient operations for both on-campus partners and community users

Financial Stewardship & Revenue Generation

• Collaborate with the fiscal division manager to evaluate financial performance, identify cost-saving opportunities, and support long-term financial planning
• Strategically market available venues to external audiences to generate rental revenue, strengthen community partnerships, and support departmental growth
• Utilize data-driven forecasting to anticipate future needs, establish meaningful success metrics, and guide resource allocation

Vendor, Partner & Community Relations

• Serve as a liaison with campus dining, university parking, contractors, and external collaborators to support successful event execution and strong community engagement
• Manage campus food truck vendor processes and other external partnerships with an emphasis on safety, accessibility, and positive guest experiences
• Promote the university’s venues as community assets by cultivating relationships with local organizations, schools, nonprofits, and regional partners

Talent Development & Staffing Leadership

• Develop strategic staffing plans that ensure adequate coverage for daily operations and large events, including targeted hiring, training, and development of part-time and student staff
• Ensure the department remains knowledgeable about emerging trends in event space design, audiovisual technology, accessibility features, and hospitality best practices

Shift

Monday-Friday, 8:00am-5:00pm; As needed late evenings and weekends may require presence

Minimum Qualifications

A Bachelor's degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience and at least 5 years of experience from which comparable knowledge and skills can be acquired is necessary

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in related field
• 5+ years of progressive experience in event management, hospitality operations, or venue administration, preferably in higher education or a similar complex environment
• Leadership experience managing both professional staff and student employees
• Strong communication, project management, and relationship-building skills
• Familiarity with event management systems
• Ability to thrive in a dynamic, customer-focused, fast-paced environment

Anticipated Hiring Range

The anticipated hiring range for this position has been established as $69,098-$102,024 annually.

Salary is determined by a variety of factors, including but not limited to, the individual’s particular combination of education, skills, and experience, as well as organizational requirements.

Your total compensation goes beyond the number on your paycheck. The University of Missouri provides generous leave, health plans, and retirement contributions that add to your bottom line.

Grade: GGS 12
University Title: DIRECTOR II EVENT SERVICES
To review the University of Missouri’s Staff Compensation Structure you can view the Job Code detail page. Internal applicants can determine their university title by accessing the Talent Profile tile in myHR.

Application Deadline

Applications will be accepted until this position is filled.

Sponsorship Information

Visa Sponsorship Information:
Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States. The University will not sponsor applicants for this position for employment visas.

Benefit Eligibility

This position is eligible for University benefits. As part of your total compensation, the University offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental and vision plans, retirement, paid time off, short- and long-term disability, paid parental leave, paid caregiver leave, and educational fee discounts for all four UM System campuses. For additional information on University benefits, please visit the Faculty & Staff Benefits website at https://www.umsystem.edu/totalrewards/benefits.