Senior Event and Production Manager

George Mason University • Arlington, VA

52d • $90,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Senior Event and Production Manager provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for all event production and execution services at George Mason University’s Mason Square campus. This role is responsible for elevating the quality, consistency, and impact of events—ranging from academic conferences to high-profile executive and presidential-level engagements. As a senior member of the campus administration team, the position partners closely with university leadership, sponsors, and external stakeholders to align event experiences with institutional objectives and brand standards.

The Senior Event and Production Manager leads a team of professional and part-time staff, ensuring excellence in event design, audiovisual execution, and logistical coordination. This role serves as the primary production lead for high-stakes and VIP events, cultivating key relationships across internal departments and external partners to deliver seamless, mission-aligned outcomes. The role also supports long-range planning, evaluates emerging technologies, and establishes protocols and performance benchmarks to continuously improve production operations and event delivery.

The Senior Event and Production Manager plays a vital role in positioning Mason Square as a premier destination for academic, governmental, and industry convenings, contributing to institutional goals related to engagement, visibility, and strategic growth.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Supervision of full-time employees and significant practical experience (7+ years preferred) in the event management and production industry (conference facilities, theater, concerts and touring, convention centers, and other event facilities)
• Experience with personnel recruitment, employee scheduling, timesheet approval, employee development planning, and training
• Significant experience with complex audiovisual systems, including live streaming technologies
• Demonstrated experience with vendor management
• Demonstrated knowledge of event production, AV, technical direction, staging, and venue management
• Demonstrated knowledge of audiovisual systems and live streaming technologies
• Demonstrated knowledge of equipment replacement cycles and industry trends for event innovation
• Demonstrated knowledge of permitting, crowd management, fire codes, health/safety regulations, and emergency response protocols, especially for VIP guests
• Demonstrated knowledge of logistics, timelines, budgeting, and coordination for various events
• Skill in planning and executing logistics across multiple locations with efficient onsite coordination and issue resolution
• Skill in supervising and mentoring professional and wage staff in event production and execution
• Skill in providing excellent customer service
• Skill in prioritizing and multitasking; managing multiple tasks and meeting competing deadlines
• Skill in ensuring flawless execution of logistics
• Skill in aligning event operations with organizational goals
• Skill in bringing fresh ideas to event formats and production techniques; evaluating industry trends for innovation
• Skill in working seamlessly across departments
• Skill in empowering others while maintaining accountability and oversight
• Ability to adapt quickly to changes and lead the team through last-minute adjustments
• Ability to be adaptable to changing circumstances
• Ability to engage confidently with senior leadership and VIP guests
• Ability to commit to creating exceptional guest experiences

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field
• Any audio/visual licenses and computer certifications preferred
• Significant experience in higher education, or related experience in an association, corporate, or industry-related environment
• Experience using 25-Live and Social Tables software
• Knowledge of the local market
• Ability to work with multiple units in a higher education setting

Responsibilities

• Provides leadership and oversight of an expanded production team, ensuring seamless execution of live and hybrid events, including Presidential-level and VIP events with all conferencing and event venues within Mason Square
• Serves as senior advisor and production lead for executive-level stakeholders, offering end-to-end oversight of the event production strategy, timelines, and execution plans
• Builds and sustains a collaborative network of university stakeholders and external partners to support shared objectives and ensure cohesive campus-wide execution
• Responsible for navigating and making complex, multi-faceted decisions involving numerous stakeholders, competing priorities, and dynamic operational factors
• Provides leadership and direction to address and resolve client concerns swiftly, identifying pain points and implementing mitigation strategies
• Develops and documents production and execution standards, communications, processes, and tools to ensure operational consistency and production quality across all event types
• Establishes key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure success in event production, client satisfaction, and staff performance. Develops a knowledge repository for production best practices to support the team in event production training, onboarding, and scalable service delivery
• Collaborates with ITS to develop long-term equipment lifecycle plans and establish budget targets that support both current operational needs and anticipated future demands
• Evaluates emerging technologies and industry trends to enhance event production capabilities, presenting recommendations to the Director and other campus stakeholders
• Establishes and maintains relationships with preferred vendors for specialized production services and equipment, and oversees contractual compliance for specialized production services and rentals
• Responsible for ensuring user compliance with all university policies and procedures to ensure all events meet safety, accessibility, and compliance requirements
• Designs and implements briefing protocols and post-event debriefing systems, using feedback to drive continuous improvement and institutional knowledge sharing
• Works with subordinates to ensure accurate inventory management, equipment protocols, and operational procedures to ensure efficiency, accuracy, and readiness across all spaces.
• Serves as the campus lead for all executive-level conferences, Presidential-level events, and VIP events, ensuring exceptional execution in production and client experience
• Designs and oversees comprehensive event production plans and timelines, advising clients on best practices, including run-of-show, space configurations, and technology deployment
• Guides clients through venue policies, capturing event requirements during meetings, and ensuring staff consistently submit information according to office standards
• Confirms client communications and templates articulate standard timelines and ensure adherence to pre-defined schedule targets
• Identifies and mitigates potential issues throughout the event planning and execution phases. Acts as the primary contact for complex production and event questions, offering comprehensive, one-stop service to clients
• Primary liaison with Environmental Health and Safety (EHS), GMU Police, Facilities, and other support services on campus for all high-profile events, ensuring security and logistics are addressed for all VIP guests to Mason Square
• Engages with senior leadership and cross-functional partners, sponsors, and external organizations to align event objectives with broader university priorities
• Leads the operational integration of Plaza Programming into the broader event ecosystem, ensuring appropriate placement, compliance with policies and procedures, and seamless coordination within a multi-user, multi-stakeholder environment
• Drives strategic direction and talent development for full-time and part-time staff by setting clear performance goals, assessing progress, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement, ensuring technical excellence, client responsiveness, and alignment with institutional standards
• Designs and implements a robust training program and ensures subordinates deliver effective training on equipment operation, venue policies, and resource management
• Develops strategic staffing plans and proactively forecasts personnel needs and budget requirements to align with operational goals and future growth
• Sets performance goals, provides ongoing feedback, and evaluates staff performance to encourage professional growth; use performance metrics (e.g., event feedback, client satisfaction) to identify training gaps and staff development needs
• Oversees all staff scheduling, balancing workforce needs with event demands to ensure optimal coverage
• Supports professional development goals, working with the Director to identify development targets and growth opportunities
• Develops a training program on effective client communication and conflict resolution to empower staff when handling high-stakes events. Develops a mentorship program for new hires to accelerate their understanding of event production standards and expectations
• Serves as a senior member of the campus operations team, contributing to strategic planning, budget development and oversight, annual goals and objectives, as well as crafting future initiatives
• Leads or represents Mason Square on high-level university committees and initiatives related to production and event execution operations, programming and engagement, and innovation
• Supports the development and execution of campus-wide event strategy by providing insight, coordination, and operational expertise to enhance impact and alignment with institutional goals

Benefits

• Lots of leave, including paid annual leave, paid holidays, paid sick leave, paid two-week winter break (please note – the break employees often receive during the holiday season is not regularly guaranteed and is subject to annual approval)
• Free tuition, up to 12 credit hours during the academic year, and professional development. Yes, you can earn a college education while earning a salary.
• Commuter Choice Transit Benefit
• Virginia Retirement System Hybrid Plan
• Patriot Perks discounts to restaurants, events, and more!
• Health/dental/vision benefits
• Tuition-dependent benefit (restrictions apply)

What This Job Offers

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