Department Summary:
Conference & Event Services (CES) delivers high-quality service, resources, and operational support for events hosted on the University of Denver (DU) campus. While upholding the University’s values and commitment to inclusive engagement, CES builds partnerships across campus and with external organizations to attract events aligned with DU’s mission. CES also serves as an important auxiliary revenue source for the University.

During periods of financial constraint and institutional budget pressure, CES helps generate diversified revenue streams that support DU’s strategic priorities. Revenue from conferences, camps, corporate meetings, and signature events contributes to academic innovation, student support services, facilities improvements, and other mission-driven initiatives.

Events hosted on campus also serve as valuable institutional touchpoints that advance:
• Student recruitment and enrollment growth
• Community engagement and regional partnerships
• Alumni engagement and donor cultivation
• Brand visibility and thought leadership positioning

CES therefore functions not only as a service unit but also as a strategic business operation whose performance contributes to the University’s financial sustainability and long-term success.

Position Summary:

The Housing & Event Operations Manager is a year-round leadership role within Conference & Event Services (CES) responsible for two core areas. During the summer, the position oversees residential housing and logistics for conferences and camps, supporting efficient operations, risk management, and housing revenue generation. During the academic year, the role manages event operations, coordinating with campus partners to ensure successful execution of internal and external events.

The role supports revenue generation and protection through reliable operations, strong partnerships, and high-quality client service that encourages repeat business. Schedule flexibility is required, including evenings, weekends, and periodic on-call responsibilities.

Working closely with CES sales and event management staff, the manager ensures contracted services align with on-site delivery, reducing operational risk and maintaining client confidence. The position reports to the Assistant Director of Event Operations. Success is measured through strong coordination, smooth conference transitions, effective partnerships, high client satisfaction, repeat bookings, timely problem resolution, and responsible cost management.

Essential Functions:

Manage Summer Conference Housing Operations: Plan and execute summer conference and camp housing across campus residence halls. Oversee hall preparation, inspections, turnover schedules, check-in/check-out procedures, access distribution, and conference desk operations. Coordinate with custodial, maintenance, and linen services to maintain facility readiness and ensure a smooth residential experience.

Supervise Summer Housing Staff and Ensure Compliance: Recruit, train, supervise, and evaluate seasonal conference housing staff. Implement operational procedures including incident management and emergency response protocols. Ensure compliance with university policies, youth protection standards, and safety regulations while maintaining accurate documentation related to occupancy, incidents, and facility conditions.

Maximize Summer Housing Performance and Revenue: Develop operational strategies that optimize residential occupancy and support summer program revenue. Monitor metrics such as occupancy, service quality, and operational costs. Conduct post-program evaluations and operational debriefs to identify improvements, increase client satisfaction, and strengthen opportunities for repeat conference bookings.

Manage Academic Year Event Operations: Serve as an on-site operations manager for internal and external campus events. Coordinate logistics including room setups, AV, facilities support, dining services, custodial coverage, and public safety. Ensure execution aligns with event agreements and proactively resolve logistical challenges during events.

Strengthen Cross-Campus Collaboration and Client Experience: Build and maintain strong working relationships with campus partners such as Housing, Facilities, Dining, IT/AV, and Campus Safety. Serve as a key client contact during events, resolve complex logistical issues, document service adjustments, and lead post-event reviews to improve operational performance.

Maintain Flexible Operational Availability: Support conference and event operations through a flexible schedule that includes evenings and weekends, particularly during peak summer periods and major events. Participate in an on-call rotation to address urgent operational or safety issues and make timely decisions during high-demand situations.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Experience managing residential operations, conference housing, hospitality lodging, or large-scale event operations
• Ability to manage multiple concurrent events and complex logistics in a fast-paced environment
• Strong relationship management and cross-department collaboration skills
• Experience supervising, training, and supporting seasonal or operational staff
• Ability to solve operational challenges and make sound real-time decisions
• Financial awareness related to occupancy management, billing accuracy, and cost control
• Knowledge of safety compliance, youth protection standards, and risk mitigation practices
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
• Professional communication skills when working with diverse clients and partners
• Ability to remain calm under pressure while maintaining schedule flexibility, including evenings, weekends, and on-call responsibilities

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in higher education administration, hospitality management, business, event management, or related field
• Two to four years of experience in housing operations, conference services, residential life, hospitality, or event operations

Preferred Qualifications:

• Four or more years of experience in university conference housing or event operations
• Experience supervising seasonal or student staff
• Familiarity with housing or event management software
• Experience working with youth camps or summer conference programs

Working Environment:

• Standard office environment during the academic year. 
• Noise level is quiet to moderate 
• Hybrid schedule where applicable based on operational needs. 
• During peak summer conference season, this position requires increased evening and weekend availability. 
• Serves in an on-call rotation during the summer months to support conference operations and respond to urgent operational needs. 
• Ability to provide on-site leadership support during high-volume event periods. 

Physical Activities:

• Ability to work in front of a computer for an extended period
• Occasionally required to move about the office/campus with the capability of transporting objects up to 20 lbs.

Work Schedule
M-F 8-4:30pm with some evenings and weekends as needed for events. Hybrid in-office and work-from-home days

Application Deadline
For consideration, please submit your application materials by 4:00 p.m. (MST) March 27, 2026.

Special Instructions
Candidates must apply online through jobs.du.edu to be considered. Only applications submitted online will be accepted.

Salary Grade Number:
The salary grade for the position is 9.

Salary Range:
The salary range for this position is $58,000-$65,000.

The University of Denver has provided a compensation range that represents its good faith estimate of what the University may pay for the position at the time of posting. The University may ultimately pay more or less than the posted compensation range. The salary offered to the selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal salary equity considerations, and available market information, but not based on a candidate’s sex or any other protected status.

Benefits:
The University of Denver offers excellent benefits, including medical, dental, retirement, paid time off, tuition benefit and ECO pass. The University of Denver is a private institution that empowers students who want to make a difference. Learn more about the University of Denver.

Please include the following documents with your application:
1. Resume

2. Cover Letter

The University of Denver is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including sex stereotypes, sex characteristics, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression), marital, family, or parental status, pregnancy or related conditions, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran. The University of Denver does not discriminate and prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, age, religion, creed, disability, sex (including sex stereotypes, sex characteristics, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression), marital family, and parental status, pregnancy, genetic information, military enlistment, or veteran status, and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination under federal, state, or local law, regulation, or ordinance in any of the University’s educational programs and activities, and in the employment (including application for employment) and admissions (including application for admission) context, as required by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972; the Americans with Disabilities Act; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; the Age Discrimination Act of 1975; the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967; the Equal Pay Act; the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act; the Colorado Protecting Opportunities and Worker's Rights ("POWR") Act; and any other federal, state, and local laws, regulations, or ordinances that prohibit discrimination, harassment, and/or retaliation. For more information, please see the University of Denver's Non‑Discrimination‑Statement.

All offers of employment are contingent upon satisfactory completion of a criminal history background check.