Event Manager

Virginia Tech•Blacksburg, VA

18d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Event Manager serves as the primary point of contact and key resource for event planning, coordination, consultation, and guidance for college-wide and advancement-related events within the Pamplin College of Business. The role delivers strategically aligned events that strengthen stakeholder engagement, advance institutional priorities, and elevate the college’s brand, while promoting consistent, thoughtfully planned events aligned with the college’s mission and strategic goals. For events under the manager’s direct responsibility, the position oversees the full event lifecycle, including design, project management, budget coordination, vendor and contract management, marketing coordination, event technology, assessment, and continuous improvement. The manager collaborates with internal stakeholders, external partners, and student teams, particularly those from the Hospitality and Tourism Management program. The position plans and executes approximately 25 events annually, including new employee events, college-wide meetings, kickoffs, intimate dinners, tailgates, receptions, and awards celebrations. It also provides college-wide consultation, tools, best practices, and strategic guidance for event planning; manages vendor relationships and event procedures; supervises and mentors student employees and project teams; and manages event budgets and resources. The position is based at Virginia Tech’s Blacksburg Campus and reports directly to the Chief of Staff and Associate Dean for Operations within the Pamplin College of Business. It is fully on-site for the first six months; afterward, it may shift to a hybrid schedule with up to one day of telework per week, subject to departmental needs. Some travel is required, including to the Innovation Campus in Alexandria, Virginia, and other event locations. Occasional evening and weekend work is required. The role may involve moving, lifting, and transporting event materials, supplies, and equipment weighing up to 30 pounds, navigating venues and campus locations, and performing event activities for extended periods during setup, execution, and breakdown. Work combines office duties with on-site event responsibilities and frequent computer and event-technology use. The appointment is restricted and exempt from overtime. Salary starts at $58,000 and is commensurate with experience. The successful candidate must complete a criminal conviction check.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in event management, hospitality, business administration, communications, or a related field and/or significant experience in event management.
Demonstrated experience planning and executing events, meetings, programs, or comparable activities from initial planning through assessment or closeout.
Demonstrated experience coordinating multiple logistical components, such as venues, catering, technology, registration, staffing, transportation, or on-site operations, for events or programs of varying size and complexity.
Demonstrated experience managing event budgets, financial reconciliation, purchasing processes, and resource allocation.
Strong project management skills, including the ability to lead concurrent initiatives, meet deadlines, and manage competing priorities.

Nice To Haves

Experience developing and managing comprehensive event plans, project timelines, run-of-show documents, and event operations from concept through assessment.
Experience in higher education, advancement, or nonprofit event planning.
Demonstrated experience managing large-scale, high-visibility events involving multiple stakeholders, executive leadership, and cross-functional planning teams.
Proficiency with event registration and management platforms such as Cvent, including registration workflows, reporting, communications, and data management.
Proficiency with Microsoft 365 applications, including Outlook, Teams, Excel, PowerPoint, Forms, and SharePoint.
Demonstrated ability to work effectively with student teams or experiential learning programs.
Experience negotiating and managing vendor relationships, contracts, and service agreements.
Knowledge of hospitality or event management best practices.
Demonstrated ability to analyze data and use assessment findings to inform decisions and continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

Lead the planning and execution of approximately 25 events annually, serving purposes such as donor stewardship, leadership engagement, employee experience, community building, recognition, and relationship development.
Develop event timelines, budgets, logistics, and staffing plans; coordinate venues, vendors, catering, technology, and on-site operations.
Partner with college leadership, Advancement, and academic units to deliver high-quality events aligned with strategic priorities and branding.
Evaluate event outcomes and implement continuous improvements.
Serve as the college-wide event-planning resource by providing consultation, tools, best practices, and strategic guidance.
Manage vendor relationships, contracts, and event procedures while ensuring compliance with university policies, procedures, and budget guidelines.
Coordinate student involvement in event planning and experiential learning opportunities.
Supervise and mentor student employees and project teams.
Develop and manage event budgets, monitor expenditures, and identify opportunities to improve efficiency and maximize event resources.