Requisition Title

• Director of Conference & Event Services/Executive Events (25000796)

Description

To enrich education through diversity, The College of New Jersey is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is dedicated to the goal of building a culturally diverse staff committed to teaching and working in a diverse environment, and strongly encourages applications from women, minorities, individuals with disabilities and veterans.

Job Title: Director of Conference & Event Services/Executive Events

Union Description: NU - Director

Job Category: Exempt, 35 hour Workweek

Salary Range: For non-unit positions, salary commensurate with experience and is accompanied by a competitive benefits package.

Position Summary:

The Director of Conference & Event Services/Executive Events at The College of New Jersey is responsible for overseeing the College's Conference & Event Services portfolio, managing a diverse range of internal and external events, conferences, and camps. This leadership position ensures the delivery of exceptional service to clients while showcasing TCNJ's facilities and reputation to external audiences. The Director supervises a team of professionals and plays a key role in developing, negotiating, and executing various campus events, including high-profile gatherings such as Presidential-level events, Commencement, and visits from dignitaries. The position supports the Division of Student Affairs by fostering collaborative relationships with various campus departments, including Admissions, Academic Affairs, College Advancement, Human Resources, and Residential Education, Housing, and Dining. The Director also leads efforts to set and achieve marketing, sales, and revenue goals, and ensures that all operational aspects of CES, including policies, procedures, and customer service standards, are effectively managed.

Main Responsibilities:

• High-Level Vision & Execution:
• Provide vision and direction for all conferences, events, and camps hosted at TCNJ, ensuring alignment with institutional goals and brand standards.
• Lead the planning and execution of select high-profile events, including Presidential engagements, Commencement, Convocation, Welcome Week, and VIP visits.
• Develop innovative strategics to enhance event impact, foster engagement, and grow auxiliary revenue.
• Collaborate with internal and external partners to negotiate, coordinate, and deliver events that elevate the College experience.
• Oversee all aspects of the Office of Conference Services, including operations, business development, client intake, contract management, and vendor coordination.
• Supervision & Team Leadership
• Lead and support a team including the Business Administrator, Associate Director for Conference & Event Services, professional staff, and student employees.
• Provide mentorship and growth opportunities to strengthen team performance and professional development.
• Ensure effective staffing and coordination for events, including evenings and weekends as needed.
• Manage and participate in staff scheduling equitably, especially during high-volume and summer programs.
• Oversee recruitment, hiring, and training to maintain a strong, service-oriented team.
• Customer Service & Operations
• Ensure high-quality customer service for all conference clients, vendors, and campus partners.
• Set and maintain service standards that support client satisfaction and promote repeat business.
• Oversee daily operations of conference and event services, ensuring smooth planning, setup, and execution.
• Collaborate with Dining, Facilities, and Residential Education to coordinate logistics and delegate tasks.
• Manage space reservations and room setups in line with university policies and client needs.
• Ensure the upkeep of all facilities used for conferences, working closely with Facilities and Custodial Services.|
• Collaborate with catering & ensures catering compliance & catering guide
• Budget Management & Financial Oversight
• Oversee the department budget with the Business Administrator, setting goals and monitoring expenses.
• Ensure events stay within budget and identify ways to increase revenue and reduce costs.
• Review financial reports and ensure compliance with institutional policies.
• Manage vendor contracts and spending to stay within budget limits.
• Executive Events & Special Projects
• Lead planning and execution for select high-profile events such as Commencement, Convocation, Welcome Week, and VIP visits.
• Develop agendas, oversee technical run-throughs, and provide on-site event support.
• Coordinate with campus departments and vendors to ensure event details are communicated and executed.
• Conduct post-event evaluations to identify areas for improvement.
• Serve as the main contact for special or high-attention events requiring detailed coordination.
• Technology & Infrastructure
• Manage event technology systems to support efficient booking and coordination.
• Ensure tools are user-friendly and enhance the experience for clients and staff.
• Stay current on event tech trends and recommend improvements to streamline operations.
• Marketing & Strategic Planning
• Lead marketing efforts with the CES Sales Manager to attract external clients and promote campus events.
• Partner with the Marketing team to raise awareness of services.
• Align event goals with TCNJ's strategic priorities and support long-term planning for growth.
• Promote campus spaces and auxiliary services to boost revenue and maximize space use.
• Assessment & Continuous Improvement
• Create and manage systems to evaluate event success and impact.
• Gather and analyze feedback to enhance future services.
• Regularly review policies, procedures, and processes to ensure they align with best practices and institutional needs.
• Campus Partnerships & Collaboration
• Build strong relationships with key campus departments to support event planning and execution.
• Work collaboratively to ensure events align with campus priorities and meet stakeholder needs.
• Lead a campus-wide advisory board to improve services and foster innovation.
• Coordinate with partners to support summer programs, educational events, and alumni conferences.
• Recommend capital improvements and manage housing turnover at the end of summer.
• Emergency Response
• Serve as the liaison on the Campus Emergency Response Team (CERT), providing support during emergencies.
• Respond to conference-related emergencies, ensuring service continuity and clear communication with stakeholders.
• Coordinate with campus partners to maintain and update emergency preparedness plans.
• Other related duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Event Management, Hotel Management, Business Administration or related degree.
• Minimum of 7-10 years of proven experience in conference and event management, preferably in a higher education setting.
• Minimum of 5 Years of supervision experience (professional level): Strong leadership skills with the ability to manage, motivate, and develop a team.
• Strong financial acumen and experience managing budgets.
• Knowledge of event management software, booking systems, and related technologies.
• Leadership & Strategic Planning Experience (preferably in a higher education setting): Proven ability to lead and manage a diverse team. including professionals and student staff: with a focus on mentoring, coaching, and team development. Ability to make strategic decisions and prioritize tasks to achieve departmental goals.
• Event Planning, Marketing, & Execution: Extensive knowledge of event planning processes, including logistics, scheduling, marketing, and on-site execution for large-scale events such as conferences, campus events, and executive-level gatherings. Expertise in negotiating and managing vendor contracts, catering services, and other third-party se1vices.
• Customer Service/Collaboration/Partnerships: Strong commitment to delivering superior customer service and client satisfaction. Ability to set and enforce high service standards to maintain repeat business and positive campus relationships. Ability to collaborate effectively with multiple campus departments, including Residential Education, Housing, Dining.
• Campus Facilities, and Admissions. Experience in building and maintaining strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including senior leadership, faculty, staff, and external clients.
• Budget Management: Proficient in managing budgets, tracking expenses, and ensuring financial goals are met. Ability to develop and monitor financial plans, working closely with a Business Manager to ensure proper allocation of resources.
• Technology & Systems Management: Strong familiarity with event management software, booking systems, and collaborative technology tools to streamline event planning and operations. Ability to identify and implement technology solutions to enhance operational efficiency and client engagement. EMS (Book-it) or similar event management software proficiency.

Persons with disabilities may request reasonable accommodations in order to perform the essential functions of the position. If the requested accommodation(s) cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, the applicant may not be eligible for the position.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree in a related discipline is strongly preferred.

Employer Qualifications:

• Final offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check and reference checks.

About TCNJ

TCNJ is a highly selective institution that has earned national recognition for its commitment to excellence. Founded in 1855, TCNJ has become an exemplar of the best in public higher education and is consistently acknowledged as one of the top comprehensive colleges in the nation. TCNJ currently is ranked as one of the 75 "Most Competitive" schools in the nation by Barron's Profiles of American Colleges and is rated the No. 1 public institution in the northern region of the country by U.S. News & World Report. TCNJ was named the #10 value in public higher education by the Princeton review in 2009 and, in 2006, was awarded a Phi Beta Kappa chapter - an honor shared by less than 10 percent of colleges and universities nationally. A strong liberal arts core forms the foundation for programs offered through TCNJ's seven schools - Arts & Communication; Business; Education; Humanities and Social Sciences; Science; Nursing, Health, and Exercise Science; and Engineering. TCNJ faculty members are teacher-scholars who share a commitment to liberal learning. TCNJ is located within an hour, by train, of New York City and Philadelphia. The College's campus is set on 289 tree-lined acres in suburban Ewing Township and is known for its natural beauty and has 39 major buildings.

Employee Benefits:

As a member of The College of New Jersey Community, you will be a part of an exciting and rewarding public university career. Eligible full-time employees will be able to take advantage of a generous benefits package that includes health, welfare, and retirement benefits, including:

• Comprehensive benefit plans covering medical, dental and prescription plans
• Generous leave entitlements program and Energy Savings Program
• Employee and dependent Tuition Waiver and Reimbursement Program
• Pension, retirement, and deferred compensation plans, group life insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Employee affinity groups
• New Jersey State Employee Discount Program (Pet insurance, cell phone plan discounts, discounted amusement park tickets, etc.)
• Access to extensive learning opportunities

To view a comprehensive list of benefits available to employees, visit our Health Benefits Plans and Programs page to learn more!

Application Instructions:

Qualified candidates should apply online and submit a letter of interest, resume (CV), as well as the names and contact information for three professional references. Applications will be considered until a viable candidate is selected.

Primary Location

: Brower Student Center - Auxiliary Services

Work Locations

:

Brower Student Center - Auxiliary Services

2000 Pennington Rd

Ewing Township 08628

Job

: Staff

Organization

: The College of New Jersey

Job Posting

: Jun 24, 2025, 6:57:35 PM

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