Assistant Director of Venue Operations - Innovation Tower

University of Texas at Austin

9d • Onsite

About The Position

The Assistant Director of Venue Operations oversees the daily operations of Innovation Tower, a university venue that supports executive functions, leadership retreats, high-profile conferences, and institutional activations at The University of Texas at Austin. This role ensures the venue operates efficiently and maintains high standards for service, presentation, and functionality in support of university clients and leadership. Because Innovation Tower primarily serves the university and its leadership, the assistant director ensures venue operations align with and support that purpose. Reporting within the University Events and Experience (UEE), this role serves as an integral member of the UEE team and works in close collaboration with internal staff, campus partners, and service providers to support successful venue operations. The position is responsible for aligning operational practices with departmental standards, contributing to a culture of shared excellence and institutional partnership, and ensuring venue services effectively support the university and its leadership.

Requirements

• Three or more years of experience in venue management.
• Knowledge of the Austin venue and events market, including client expectations and the competitive landscape.
• Demonstrated success managing high-end venues in institutional, corporate, or executive event settings.
• Strong analytical and financial skills, with the ability to assess revenue streams and recommend strategies to improve profitability and space utilization.
• Ability to maintain professionalism, confidentiality, and a strong focus on guest experience.
• Experience managing high-profile, executive, or VIP events.
• Strong communication, organizational, and leadership skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and remain calm in a fast-paced, client-facing environment.
• Proficiency with space management software and CRM systems.
• Relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.
• Must be eligible to work in the United States on a full-time basis for any employer without sponsorship.
• Resume/CV
• Three work references with contact information; at least one reference should be from a supervisor
• Letter of Interest

Nice To Haves

• Five or more years of experience in venue management.
• Background in an entrepreneurial environment, including launching a new venue, program, or operation.
• Familiarity with higher education or a college or university setting.
• Direct experience working within luxury, boutique, or high-touch hospitality environments.
• Familiarity with institutional activations, experiential programming, or executive-level event environments.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and implement standard operating procedures for venue or event operations.
• Knowledge of executive leadership, board-level events, or other high-visibility institutional functions.
• Proven ability to coordinate across facilities, catering, audiovisual, and other service partners to support venue operations.
• Proficiency with venue scheduling, event management, or client relationship management systems, including the ability to build and launch new processes with an eye toward data and reporting metrics.
• Demonstrated ability to identify operational improvements and support venue growth, readiness, and long-term sustainability.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for preparing Innovation Tower venue space for launch on September 1, 2026 under the direction of UEE and Discovery to Impact leadership, including furniture installations, layout implementation, vendor coordination, A/V set-up, signage and operational readiness.
• Develop launch plan that includes clear, actionable plan for pre-launch readiness, early activations such as open houses and tours, launch and post-launch key performance indicators (KPI) based on strategies set forth by UEE and Discovery to Impact leadership.
• Manage all aspects of venue cleanliness, safety, space usage, and operational excellence.
• Implement and manage event tracking and operational tools, including event booking systems.
• Coordinate with UEE team to develop required marketing and launch materials including collateral, website, and other materials as directed.
• Manage and maintain venue calendar, including all bookings, holds, and internal coordination, ensuring visibility across UEE and Discovery to Impact as well as real-time accuracy.
• Create and continually refine standard operating procedures (SOPs) tailored to space management, covering scheduling, usage guidelines, room turnover, and capacity optimization.
• Maintain and update comprehensive vendor lists to streamline event operations and ensure access to trusted partners.
• Coordinate with facilities, A/V, catering, and technical teams to deliver high-level, white-glove service to all meetings and events.
• Provide insights into operational capacities and potential venue upgrades.
• Monitor KPIs and client feedback to support continuous improvement.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for clients during the planning and execution phases for Innovation Tower venue space.
• Oversee site visits, walkthroughs, and pre-event coordination to align on expectations and logistics.
• Ensure every event meets the venue’s standard of sophistication, discretion, and professionalism.
• Conduct thorough post-event follow-ups to gather feedback, address outstanding concerns, and reinforce client satisfaction.
• Develop strategies to nurture long-term relationships with university colleges, schools, and units – encouraging repeat use and cultivating a loyal institution client base through personalized communications and tailored service offerings.
• Work collaboratively with UEE event production staff to ensure venue operations support and overall event success.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with UT Austin colleges, schools, and units.
• Manage relationships with preferred vendors including caterers, A/V providers, security, and décor.
• Negotiate contracts on behalf of the venue and ensure vendor compliance with venue standards and policies.
• Serve as an active member of the University Events and Experience team by attending in-person weekly huddles and staff meetings.
• Participate fully in UEE signature and all-hands events, including on-site support as assigned (e.g., Commencement, Gone to Texas, State of the University.)
• Additional duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Competitive benefits package that includes insurance and retirement benefits in addition to other programs and services.
• Professional development opportunities

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed