Colorado State University

Description of Work Unit

The Colorado State University (CSU) System, along with its partners, has developed a unique and exciting public facility called CSU Spur at the National Western Center in Denver, Colorado. The CSU Spur campus houses three buildings focused on water, food and agriculture, human and animal health, and sustainability. Within the Spur buildings, CSU conducts research and convenes experts from around the globe; students of all ages engage with science and have opportunities for exploratory learning, transforming their thinking about food, water, and health, and the careers available in these fields; and partners join in programming the space and bringing evolving content to the year-round campus. These facilities include laboratory space, classrooms, public education spaces, outdoor spaces, a flexible theater, a rooftop greenhouse and more! CSU Spur is part of a larger 250-acre redevelopment project, which started in 2013 and reimagines what the National Western Center can be, creates a site that will support the National Western Stock Show long-term, and makes the location a year-round destination. CSU Spur was created with an Anchor Institution framework and is committed to supporting the surrounding communities through the programming and activities developed at the campus.

More information about CSU Spur is available at www.csuspur.org.

Position Summary

The Events Manager position is a full-time position that delivers management for an active year-round operation of events and conferences at the CSU Spur Campus. A full line of services and CSU facilities are offered to both internal constituencies and external clients.

This position is expected to develop and maintain collaborative relationships across the CSU System and the local Denver community. As a member of the Events Team, this position will assist with venue management and event planning services at the CSU Spur Campus including event requests, use agreements, room configuration, logistics, invoicing, and vendor relations. The Events Manager will advise, counsel, and negotiate logistical details with campus stakeholders as well as provide on-site and on-call assistance throughout events. Reflecting departmental and institutional values, candidates are expected to have the ability to advance CSU Spur’s commitment to diversity, inclusion, and sustainability.

The Events Manager models excitement for the profession and has the talent to incorporate best practices into the organizational culture. To be successful, the individual must possess outstanding interpersonal skills with an understanding of the elements of providing exceptional customer service, problem-solving, and administering/executing several programs simultaneously in a highly professional manner. The individual must have a strong background in communication, attention to detail and negotiation tactics. Additionally, the individual must have the ability to manage conflicts and crisis situations as well as design and implement real-time contingency plans.

This position should expect to work outside the standard University business hours, including time beyond 40 hours during peak seasons. This is an Administrative Professional that reports directly to the Spur Events Director and is an exempt position.

Required Job Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field. Specialized experience during which the applicant has acquired and successfully applied the knowledge and abilities required may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis
• A minimum of two (2) years of conference and/or event management experience as primary responsibility
• Experience with software used to manage conferences and events
• Ability to work a flexible schedule, including some early mornings, nights and weekends
• Ability to lift 25 pounds (tables and chairs, event set-up, etc. with assistance)

Preferred Job Qualifications

• Experience coordinating conferences and/or events on a college campus
• Master’s degree in hospitality, event management, communication, higher education administration, or related field
• Demonstrated ability to foster collaborative working relationships with internal and external clients
• Demonstrated understanding of the recreation, tourism, hotel and resort management industries
• Demonstrated ability to navigate ambiguity and a changing environment
• Experience in conference and/or event sales and marketing
• Excellent writing and communication skills
• Experience serving in an on-call capacity during events
• Reflecting CSU System values, candidates are expected to have the ability to advance the commitment to diversity and inclusion

EEO

Colorado State University (CSU) provides equal employment opportunities to all applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.