Associate Director, Housing & Conference Operations

Wayne State University•Detroit, MI

4d•Onsite

About The Position

Wayne State University is searching for an experienced Associate Director, Housing & Conference Operations at its Detroit campus location. Wayne State is a premier, public, urban research university located in the heart of Detroit, Michigan where students from all backgrounds are offered a rich, high-quality education. Our deep-rooted commitment to excellence, collaboration, integrity, diversity and inclusion creates exceptional educational opportunities which prepare students for success in a global society. The Office of Housing & Residential Life is a unit within Student Success, Support, and Engagement. The Associate Director of Housing & Conference Operations provides leadership and direction in the delivery of an array of services designed to enhance the experiences of undergraduate, graduate, professional students and guests residing in Wayne State Housing. Housing Operations within the Office of Housing & Residential Life is the gateway for university community members interested in on-campus housing; a primary resource for on-campus housing information through Wayne State University’s main phone line, email, and public web presence; and is also responsible for the management of student accounts and support for camps and conferences. The Associate Director of Housing & Conference Operations is responsible for developing and managing revenue generating summer conferences for Wayne State University (WSU) Student Auxiliary Services facilities; successfully coordinating the schedule for all internal and external events and providing on-site management for external programs; and will directly and indirectly supervise various positions such as 1 assignment coordinator, hourly graduate student staff, and undergraduate student staff during the conference season. This position reports to the Director, Housing Operations.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in business administration, hospitality management, and/or related field.
Minimum of 5 years hotel or event management.
Strong organizational communication, problem-solving skills, and computer literacy skills required.
Organizational Leadership: Strong mentoring and coaching skills. Ability to train, develop, assess, and offer feedback to staff members. Must have a willingness to make decisions, exhibiting sound and accurate judgement. Demonstrated ability to motivate professional staff and students.
Business Development Acumen: Skills in budgeting, accounting for revenues and expenditures, reconciling accounts, reporting, analyzing, and presenting financial information.
Supervisory Skills: Ability to delegate work, set clear direction and manage workflow. Strong mentoring and coaching skills. Ability to train, develop, assess, and offer feedback to staff members. Ability to foster teamwork among staff members.
Project Management: Must be able to prepare and present special projects with little or no supervisory/oversight. Ability to meet deadlines and to take large complex projects and divide them into small achievable tasks organized into a plan. Strong detail-oriented project management skills.
Communication: Must have effective interpersonal and customer service skills. Must have the ability to communicate clearly, concisely, and professionally both orally and in writing.
Learning Agility: Independent and innovative self-starter who can display an ability to learn rapidly and adapt quickly to changing situations.
Interpersonal Skills: Effective interpersonal and customer service skills, written and oral. Ability to manage pressure situations, including dealing with sensitive and confidential human relations situations.
Analytical Skills: Ability to compare, contrast, and quality check work with keen attention to detail. Ability to tabulate data, perform primary analyses, and successfully explain/teach information to others. Manage complex processes and see through to completion.
Technology Skills: Must possess computer proficiency. Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office tools, especially Excel and SharePoint, and ability to learn and apply Banner, housing management software (HMS), and related computer program/application skills.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree preferred.
Knowledge of StarRez (HMS) preferred.

Responsibilities

Coordinate conference and guest housing assignments and logistical arrangements for student and non-student residents and attendees, ensuring accuracy and efficiency.
Oversee all processes and communications related to summer conferences and guest housing, including but not limited to room readiness, the room check-in and check-out process, dining services, parking, building electronic access, classroom/meeting rooms space, maintaining smooth transitions, and timely service.
Identify opportunities for process improvement and implement best practices.
Monitor performance metrics and guest feedback to enhance service delivery.
Prepare proposals, contracts, and invoices. Reimburses university units for services provided. Ensure that invoices are received and accounts are reconciled.
Function as a departmental payroll supervisor.
Collaborate closely with Internal Housing & Residential Life, Student Auxiliary Services, facilities, and campus event partners to develop, plan, and execute events, summer conferences, guest housing, and off-season rental programs that contribute to net revenue generation.
Develop plans to maintain current summer conference business and develop new business and revenue sources.
Promote and manage the department’s guest housing program to ensure the most efficient use of spaces.
Demonstrate a strong commitment to quality assurance and exceptional customer service in all aspects of conference operations.
Serve as a key point of contact for program leads, providing clear and timely communication before and during events. Ensure on-going and timely communication with service partners and internally within HRL to ensure event success and appropriate service levels.
Ensure all assigned rooms are properly prepared and meet quality standards prior to program arrival.
Respond promptly and professionally to requests for change, cancellations, and other housing-related adjustments.
Recruit, train and directly and indirectly supervise staff such as an assignment coordinator and graduate and undergraduate student staff performing administrative, financial and communication services to conference guests.
Serve as a backup to the Director of Operations supporting the overall activities and direction of the unit.
Participate in the Housing and Residence Life (HRL) on-call duty rotation and maintain availability to work evenings and weekends during peak summer occupancy and special events.
Perform other related duties as assigned.