Event Operations Manager - Penn Engineering - University of Pennsylvania

University Overview


The University of Pennsylvania, the largest private employer in Philadelphia, is a world-renowned leader in education, research, and innovation. This historic, Ivy League school consistently ranks among the top 10 universities in the annual U.S. News & World Report survey. Penn has 12 highly-regarded schools that provide opportunities for undergraduate, graduate and continuing education, all influenced by Penn’s distinctive interdisciplinary approach to scholarship and learning. As an employer Penn has been ranked nationally on many occasions with the most recent award from Forbes who named Penn one of America’s Best Large Employers in 2023.




Penn offers a unique working environment within the city of Philadelphia. The University is situated on a beautiful urban campus, with easy access to a range of educational, cultural, and recreational activities. With its historical significance and landmarks, lively cultural offerings, and wide variety of atmospheres, Philadelphia is the perfect place to call home for work and play.




The University offers a competitive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare and tuition benefits for employees and their families, generous retirement benefits, a wide variety of professional development opportunities, supportive work and family benefits, a wealth of health and wellness programs and resources, and much more.








Posted Job Title

Event Operations Manager - Penn Engineering





Job Profile Title

Coordinator B





Job Description Summary

Penn Engineering’s world-acclaimed faculty, state-of-the-art research laboratories and highly interdisciplinary curricula offer an experience that is unparalleled. Innovation and technology drive every program and transform the fundamentals of what future engineers are learning. http://www.seas.upenn.edu/


The Event Operations Manager will oversee and coordinate events after event space booking within the School of Engineering and Applied Science. The position will meet and connect with customers to ascertain event needs, including room setups, housekeeping, security, and AV. Create event diagrams and work with multiple departments, and with outside vendors to ensure successful event outcomes. Duties include but are not limited to: meeting with customers to finalize event logistics and support services, attending site visits, educating and guiding clients in best practices, providing on-site support during events, and conducting post event inspections.


This role will help to execute high-profile events of significant importance to the school's mission and identity which include, Commencement, PennApps, and other events as needed.


This position will be required to maintain flexible working hours each week, including nights & weekends and will serve as the backup to the Event & Scheduling Manager during busy periods of the year. This position serves in an on-call rotation.





Job Description


Job Responsibilities

+ Serve as main point of contact for customers after event booking to confirm event needs and logistical planning.

+ On day of event execution, remain onsite to ensure event plans are in motion and correct, navigate challenges and obstacles as they arise, and jump in where needed to ensure high levels of service execution and client satisfaction. Ensure event compliance with policies, procedures, codes, regulations, and other requirements.

+ Prepare event outlines, scaled drawing of event areas, and coordinates equipment distribution and inventory.

+ Coordinate support services, including, but not limited to, security and housekeeping; work with external vendors to secure event rentals and other needed materials.

+ Conduct post event room inspections and update event files to close out event.






Qualifications


Bachelor’s degree and 3-5 years of related experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience; experience in event management in a higher education or hospitality environment with a focus on event coordination and space scheduling strongly preferred. Proven ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously while working with a diverse constituency. Demonstrated problem solving and decision-making skills in an event coordination capacity where high- level customer satisfaction is required. Ability to smoothly negotiate unanticipated changes and needs in a timely fashion. Must have excellent organizational, interpersonal & communication skills. Superior dependability, judgement, and resourcefulness. Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications. Experience in utilizing space scheduling software. Project management experience is a must. Proven experience managing events with over 500 attendees. Accreditation with a Professional Event Management Association is preferred. Comfort working in a large open office.




This position will be required to maintain flexible working hours each week, including nights & weekends and will serve as the backup to the Event & Scheduling Manager during busy periods of the year. This position serves in an on-call rotation.








Job Location - City, State

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania





Department / School

School of Engineering and Applied Science





Pay Range

$43,919.00 - $70,000.00 Annual Rate

Salary offers are made based on the candidate’s qualifications, experience, skills, and education as they directly relate to the requirements of the position, as well as internal and market factors and grade profile.










Affirmative Action Statement Penn adheres to a policy that prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, creed, national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected class.




Special Requirements Background check required after a conditional job offer is made. Consideration of the background check will be tailored to the requirements of the job.




University Benefits

+ Health, Life, and Flexible Spending Accounts : Penn offers comprehensive medical, prescription, behavioral health, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits to protect you and your family’s health and welfare. You can also use flexible spending accounts to pay for eligible health care and dependent care expenses with pre-tax dollars.

+ Tuition : Take advantage of Penn's exceptional tuition benefits . You, your spouse, and your dependent children can get tuition assistance here at Penn. Your dependent children are also eligible for tuition assistance at other institutions.

+ Retirement: Penn offers generous retirement plans to help you save for your future. Penn’s Basic, Matching, and Supplemental retirement plans allow you to save for retirement on a pre-tax or Roth basis. Choose from a wide variety of investment options through TIAA and Vanguard.

+ Time Away from Work: Penn provides you with a substantial amount of time away from work during the course of the year. This allows you to relax, take vacations, attend to personal affairs, recover from illness or injury, spend time with family—whatever your personal needs may be.

+ Long-Term Care Insurance: In partnership with Genworth Financial, Penn offers faculty and staff (and your eligible family members) long-term care insurance to help you cover some of the costs of long-term care services received at home, in the community or in a nursing facility. If you apply when you’re newly hired, you won’t have to provide proof of good health or be subject to underwriting requirements. Eligible family members must always provide proof of good health and are subject to underwriting.

+ Wellness and Work-life Resources : Penn is committed to supporting our faculty and staff as they balance the competing demands of work and personal life. That’s why we offer a wide variety of programs and resources to help you care for your health, your family, and your work-life balance.

+ Professional and Personal Development: Penn provides an array of resources to help you advance yourself personally and professionally.

+ University Resources: As a member of the Penn community, you have access to a wide range of University resources as well as cultural and recreational activities. Take advantage of the University’s libraries and athletic facilities, or visit our arboretum and art galleries. There’s always something going on at Penn, whether it’s a new exhibit at the Penn Museum, the latest music or theater presentation at the Annenberg Center, or the Penn Relays at Franklin Field to name just a few examples. As a member of the Penn community, you’re right in the middle of the excitement—and you and your family can enjoy many of these activities for free.

+ Discounts and Special Services : From arts and entertainment to transportation and mortgages, you'll find great deals for University faculty and staff. Not only do Penn arts and cultural centers and museums offer free and discounted admission and memberships to faculty and staff. You can also enjoy substantial savings on other goods and services such as new cars from Ford and General Motors, cellular phone service plans, movie tickets, and admission to theme parks.

+ Flexible Work Hours: Flexible work options offer creative approaches for completing work while promoting balance between work and personal commitments. These approaches involve use of non-traditional work hours, locations, and/or job structures.

+ Penn Home Ownership Services: Penn offers a forgivable loan for eligible employees interested in buying a home or currently residing in West Philadelphia, which can be used for closing costs or home improvements.

+ Adoption Assistance: Penn will reimburse eligible employees on qualified expenses in connection with the legal adoption of an eligible child, such as travel or court fees, for up to two adoptions in your household.




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To learn more, please visit: https://www.hr.upenn.edu/PennHR/benefits-pay



The University of Pennsylvania's special character is reflected in the diversity of the Penn community. We seek talented faculty and staff who will constitute a vibrant community that draws on the strength that comes with a substantive institutional commitment to diversity along dimensions of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, religion, disability, veteran status, interests, perspectives, and socioeconomic status. Grounded in equal opportunity, nondiscrimination, and affirmative action, Penn's robust commitment to diversity is fundamental to the University's mission of advancing knowledge, educating leaders for all sectors of society, and public service. The University of Pennsylvania prohibits unlawful discrimination based on race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, creed, national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected class.