Events Parking Operations Manager

University of Maryland•College Park, MD

6d•$70,000 - $84,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Special Events Manager is responsible for the overall planning, coordination, and execution of parking and transportation services for special events held on the University of Maryland campus. This position serves as the primary point of contact for event organizers, university departments, conference groups, athletic programs, alumni organizations, external clients, and other stakeholders requiring parking and transportation support. The Special Events Manager oversees all aspects of event parking operations for a diverse portfolio of events ranging from small meetings and departmental gatherings to major campus-wide programs, conferences, commencement ceremonies, sporting events, open houses, alumni events, concerts, festivals, and other large-scale public events. The position is responsible for managing the entire event planning process for parking, including customer consultations, parking and transportation planning, staffing coordination, space allocation, permit and credential management, signage, communications, traffic management, enforcement coordination, contractor oversight, billing, and post-event evaluation. Working closely with campus partners including Athletics, Facilities Management, University Police, Resident Life, Dining Services, Conference and Visitor Services, Alumni Relations, academic departments, and external organizations, the Special Events Manager develops operational plans that support the safe, efficient, and customer-focused movement and parking of event attendees across campus. In addition, the Special Events Manager supervises Special Events staff, oversees the department’s Motorist Assistance Program, manages contracted event staffing services, coordinates event-related parking enforcement activities, oversees the development of the unit’s website for event permit sales, billing processes, and ensures that all event operations align with departmental policies, university objectives, and exceptional customer service standards. This position requires strong organizational, communication, project management, and customer relations skills, along with the ability to manage multiple events simultaneously in a dynamic university environment.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
Three (3) or more years of professional experience.
One (1) year of experience in a supervisory or lead role.
Valid driver’s license and eligibility to operate university vehicles required.
Knowledge of principles and techniques of written and oral communication.
Knowledge of documentation standards, procedures, and best practices.
Knowledge of office productivity software such as Microsoft Office 365 and Google Workspace.
Skill in leading presentations and conducting training sessions for large groups.
Skill in collaborating effectively with Managers, Assistant Directors, and Directors.
Skill in coaching and mentoring team members.
Ability to define deadlines, manage workloads, and maintain quality standards.
Ability to comprehend and navigate complex interpersonal situations.
Ability to implement and uphold documentation standards and procedures.

Nice To Haves

Five (5) years experience managing parking for large scale events and working with service contractors.
Two (2) years of experience directly supervising staff.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the proven ability to communicate effectively with diverse individuals and groups.
Comfort with communicating regularly with individuals on all levels of management.
Outstanding organizational skills as this position requires extreme attention to detail.
Proven ability to manage multiple priorities successfully.
Ability to work an extended work week, when needed, to include evenings and weekends, during peak times, and while maintaining a positive outlook when engaging staff, customers, and partners.
Experience working in a university setting.
Experience with athletic events.
Experience with Point of Sale (POS) devices

Responsibilities

Planning, coordination, and execution of parking and transportation services for special events.
Serving as the primary point of contact for event organizers and stakeholders.
Overseeing all aspects of event parking operations for a diverse portfolio of events.
Managing the entire event planning process for parking, including customer consultations, planning, staffing, space allocation, permit and credential management, signage, communications, traffic management, enforcement coordination, contractor oversight, billing, and post-event evaluation.
Developing operational plans in collaboration with campus partners.
Supervising Special Events staff.
Overseeing the department’s Motorist Assistance Program.
Managing contracted event staffing services.
Coordinating event-related parking enforcement activities.
Overseeing the development of the unit’s website for event permit sales and billing processes.
Ensuring all event operations align with departmental policies, university objectives, and exceptional customer service standards.