Event Operations Manager - Portland Expo Center

Oregon Metro • Expo Center, OR

8d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Portland Expo Center is seeking an Event Operations Manager to provide operational leadership during evenings and weekends. The Expo Center hosts a variety of large-scale events, including consumer shows, trade shows, sporting events, and community gatherings that bring people together from across the region. As the on-site leader, you'll help ensure events are delivered safely and successfully by coordinating staff, contractors, and event partners while maintaining a welcoming environment for clients and guests. This role is ideal for someone who thrives in a fast-paced setting, approaches challenges with a solutions-focused mindset, and enjoys leading teams to achieve shared goals. This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced or emerging leader who wants to work in a fast-paced event environment, support a wide variety of large-scale events, and make a visible impact on the experience of clients, guests, and employees. If you enjoy solving problems, leading teams, and helping people perform at their best, we’d love to see what you can bring to this role.

Requirements

• High school diploma plus at least one year of specialized training from college or technical school, and Three years of relevant experience in event, venue or hotel management, and Two years of supervisory experience, or Any combination of education, professional, volunteer and lived experience that provides the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the classification duties and responsibilities.
• Current and valid driver’s license
• Finalist will need to be able to successfully pass a background check.
• Must have availability to work an evening and weekend, event driven schedule.
• Proficiency with Microsoft 365 applications and event management technology.
• Professionalism and discretion when addressing employee matters, client concerns, and confidential information.

Nice To Haves

• Experience working in a public assembly facility, such as a convention center, exposition center, arena, stadium, performing arts venue, or similar event facility.
• Experience leading venue or event operations, including coordinating staff, contractors, and operational services during events.
• Experience developing, implementing, or improving operational procedures and service standards.
• Knowledge of workplace safety, crowd management, emergency response, or other safety practices applicable to public assembly facilities.

Responsibilities

• Oversee evening and weekend venue operations, ensuring the facility is safe, welcoming, and prepared for staff, clients, and guests.
• Conduct regular building rounds to monitor operations, staff, vendors, and client needs, and provide on-site problem-solving support.
• Serve as the primary escalation point for staff and client concerns during shift, ensuring timely resolution and documentation, including nightly Event Operations Manager (EOM) reports, event summaries, and other required communications.
• Manage and coordinate client services during events, including contracted services such as catering, A/V, telecom, guest experience, and parking.
• Support load-in and load-out activities, troubleshoot operational and technical issues, and coordinate service adjustments as needed.
• Provide operational leadership and support to staff by conducting regular check-ins to ensure work is progressing effectively and resources are available; assisting department managers with real-time coaching and direction; supporting team members through change; adjusting work plans to best meet client and venue needs; and maintaining open communication with management regarding staff performance and event execution.
• Participate in event planning and logistics meetings, including production meetings, three-month look ahead meetings, and event lifecycle meetings.
• Evaluate operational practices to ensure efficiency, effectiveness, and alignment with industry standards, recommending and implementing improvements where appropriate.
• Support venue financial responsibilities by monitoring and controlling costs related to labor, supplies, and materials to ensure service quality and operational effectiveness.

Benefits

• The full-salary range for this position is step 1: $89,563.73 to step 7: $120,023.26 annually.
• This position is not eligible for overtime and is not represented by a union.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: High school or GED