Conferences & Events Manager

New Haven, CT, USA|Onsite

Job Overview

Employment Type

Full-time

Work Schedule

Flexible

Weekend Shifts

Benefits

Health Insurance

Dental Insurance

Paid Time Off

Tuition remission

Retirement Plan

Professional development opportunities

Inclusive culture

Job Description

Quinnipiac University is a prestigious private, coeducational institution located in Hamden, Connecticut, just 90 minutes north of New York City and two hours from Boston. Known for its commitment to academic excellence, the university offers more than 100 degree programs across its multiple schools including Business, Communications, Education, Computing and Engineering, Health Sciences, Law, Medicine, Nursing, and the College of Arts and Sciences. With an enrollment of approximately 9,700 students, Quinnipiac balances a vibrant academic environment with a rich campus life highlighted by its 21 Division I athletic teams which have achieved significant accomplishments such as multiple conference titles, a recent NCAA National Championship in ice hockey, and distinguished national success in women's rugby and basketball. The university is recognized nationally for its contributions to public opinion research through the Quinnipiac University Poll and consistently ranked as one of the top colleges by U.S. News & World Report, Princeton Review, and The Wall Street Journal, which acknowledged Quinnipiac for its exceptional graduation rates, career preparation, and overall student impact.

The Conferences & Events Manager position at Quinnipiac University is a critical role responsible for overseeing the planning, coordination, and successful execution of a diverse portfolio of events including conferences, summer academic and athletic programs, and a wide array of campus events. This full-time role is stationed at the Mount Carmel campus in Hamden, CT, and demands a high level of collaboration and client management expertise. The manager serves as the primary partner for clients from the contract stage through the completion of each program, ensuring a seamless and high-quality event experience that meets the needs of both internal stakeholders and external participants. This role requires managing complex, multi-day events and programs while coordinating with various campus departments to provide essential resources such as housing, dining, meeting spaces, and athletic facilities.

Success in this position hinges on strong project management skills, attention to detail, and the ability to maintain positive client relationships that encourage repeat business and foster the growth of the university’s conference and event services. The Conferences & Events Manager independently handles more than 75 events annually, supporting business development by assisting with inquiries, site visits, proposal development, contract administration, and program registration. The role also includes supervising and training seasonal and student staff, providing on-site leadership during peak event periods, and upholding a professional, service-oriented team culture. Flexibility in work schedule is essential, as this position requires availability during evenings, weekends, and extended hours, especially during busy summer months. This role at Quinnipiac presents a unique and rewarding opportunity for a detail-oriented and collaborative professional passionate about event management and higher education environments to showcase the university’s campus as a premier destination for conferences and events.

Job Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Hospitality Management, Event Management, Business Administration, or a related field
minimum of 5 years of experience managing conferences, events, or summer programs in a university or comparable environment
proven success managing multi-day residential programs and high-volume summer operations
strong project management, organizational, and problem-solving skills
ability to manage multiple complex programs simultaneously in a fast-paced environment
excellent interpersonal and client relationship management skills
proficiency in Microsoft Office and event management, housing, or scheduling systems
proven ability to collaborate effectively with individuals from varied backgrounds

Job Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Hospitality Management, Event Management, Business Administration, or a related field
minimum of 5 years of experience managing conferences, events, or summer programs in a university or comparable environment
proven success managing multi-day residential programs and high-volume summer operations
strong project management, organizational, and problem-solving skills
ability to manage multiple complex programs simultaneously in a fast-paced environment
excellent interpersonal and client relationship management skills
proficiency in Microsoft Office and event management, housing, or scheduling systems
proven ability to collaborate effectively with individuals from varied backgrounds
experience in revenue-generating auxiliary, conference services, or similar operations preferred
familiarity with contract administration, risk management, and campus compliance requirements preferred
experience supervising student or seasonal staff preferred
working knowledge of campus housing, dining, and facilities operations preferred

Job Duties

Plan, coordinate, and execute a high-volume portfolio of one-day events, multi-day conferences, and summer academic and athletic residential programs
serve as the primary client relationship manager from post-contract through program completion
provide consultative planning support through site visits and planning calls
coordinate housing, dining, meeting space, athletic facilities, and support services in partnership with campus stakeholders
utilize the project management system to track complex program logistics and ensure operational readiness
independently manage 75+ events annually balancing competing priorities and deadlines
support business development by assisting with front-end inquiry intake, site visits, proposal development, and contract preparation
support program registration using preferred platforms
cultivate repeat business and long-term client relationships through high-quality service delivery and proactive account management
contribute to summer operations planning, staffing models, and space optimization initiatives
assist in the development and continuous improvement of standard operating procedures and service guidelines
supervise, train, and provide day-to-day direction to student and seasonal staff
provide on-site operational leadership during programs including evenings and weekends
model and promote a professional, service-oriented, and inclusive team culture