Associate Director, Conferences & Event Services - Sales & Marketing

Position Summary

Responsible for driving revenue and brand positioning of the university as a premier conference and event destination. Leads strategic sales, marketing, contract negotiation, vendor management, and execution of on-campus conferences, camps, and events. Provides leadership to their student staff, collaborating across departments to ensure a top-tier event experience.---

Primary Responsibilities

Sales & Marketing Strategy

• Develops and implements multi-channel sales and marketing plans for local, regional, and national conferences and events to take place on campus.
• Identifies and pursues new business opportunities through RFPs, trade shows, site visits, and outbound sales missions.
• Grows and nurtures a robust network of meeting planners, vendors, tourism bureaus, and community stakeholders.

Revenue Generation & Budget Management

• Negotiates contracts-facility rentals, catering, AV, accommodations-ensuring profitable margins.
• Oversees event budgets, revenue forecasting, sponsorship packages, and financial performance tracking.
• Works closely with Finance to report KPIs such as booking rates, revenue per event, client satisfaction, and ROI metrics.

Vendor & Client Relations

• Manages external vendors (caterers, AV, maintenance) to ensure alignment and quality delivery.
• Serves as primary liaison for clients before, during, and after events-conducting site visits, drafting agreements, and resolving issues promptly.

Team Leadership & Operational Management

• Assists in recruitment, training, development, and performance management of the conference services team.
• Ensures seamless internal operations: coordinating room scheduling, housing plans, Risk Management, Facilities, Dining, Public Safety, and Campus Services.

Program Operations & Compliance

• Directs logistics execution from pre-event planning to post-event wrap-up.
• Maintains scheduling databases and works closely with scheduling coordinators to optimize space usage.
• Ensures compliance with government regulations, institutional policies, and risk management protocols.

Market Intelligence & Continuous Improvement

• Conducts competitor benchmarking, market trend analysis, and client satisfaction surveys.
• Presents data-backed insights and strategic recommendations to senior leadership.

Communications & Brand Management

• Collaborates with University Communications to maintain high-impact website content and sales collateral.
• Develops promotional materials, email campaigns, proposals, and recap presentations for internal and external audiences.

Event Coverage

• Supports event oversight, including evenings and weekends, as needed-especially during peak times like summer camps and off-season rentals.

Additional Position Information:

Minimum Qualifications

Education

Bachelor's degree in Sales, Marketing, Business, Hospitality, Communications, or related field.

Experience

• 3+ years in sales, marketing, or event management-preferably in higher education, hospitality, or conference event services.
• Demonstrable success in revenue growth, sponsorship sales, and ROI measurement.
• Proven experience with budgeting, contract negotiations, and vendor relationship management.
• Supervisory experience leading a student staff and directing marketing and sales initiatives.

Preferred Qualifications

• 5+ years in higher education event services, conference center, or hospitality.
• Strong understanding of CRM/event management systems (e.g., Banner, Cvent).
• Excellent communication, presentation, organizational, and customer service skills.

Physical Requirements & Working Conditions

• Primarily office-based; involves campus walkthroughs, occasional lifting (
• Environment may include variable noise levels and heavy traffic during event peaks.
• Heavy use of computer and phone devices (~70% of time).

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Direct supervision student employees.
• Responsible for recruiting, training, evaluating, and performance development.

Success Metrics

• Annual revenue and profitability targets met or exceeded.
• Increased booking volume and client retention rates.
• Positive feedback in client satisfaction surveys.
• Efficient use of campus event space and stakeholder collaboration.
• Growth in vendor performance and cost savings.

Compensation: Compensation for this position is commensurate with experience.

Application Instructions: In order to be considered for this position, please complete the online application and attach your resume.

Application Deadline: Review of applicants will begin on February 11, 2026.

FLSA Status (exempt/nonexempt):

United States of America (Exempt)

Union Affiliation (if applicable):

For assistance with your application or attachments, please contact the Human Resources representative listed:

Madilyn Otterbacher

Email:

mao76@uakron.edu

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Background Check Statement

The University of Akron is committed to providing a safe environment for all students and employees. The University endeavors to protect the health, welfare and safety of all students, employees and visitors on our campus. As such, all offers of employment with The University of Akron are contingent upon verification of credentials, and satisfactory completion of a criminal background check. Some positions may require additional credit investigation and a pre-employment driving record search.

Non-Discrimination Statement

The University of Akron is an Equal Education and Employment Institution. View our Non-Discrimination Statement for more information. Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability/veterans.

State of Residence Statement

It is the expectation of the University of Akron that all work performed as an employee of the University will be performed in Ohio.