Event Manager

Loyola University Chicago, established in 1870, stands as one of the nation’s largest Jesuit, Catholic universities known for its academic excellence, community engagement, and leadership in sustainability. As a Carnegie R1 research institution, Loyola is among an elite group of universities with the highest level of research activity, advancing knowledge to benefit communities and achieve global impact. The university comprises 15 schools, colleges, and institutes, including Business, Law, Medicine, Nursing, and Health Sciences. Loyola operates multiple campuses in the greater Chicago area and a campus in Rome, Italy, providing students with a globally-connected, transformative learning experience. Recognized by U.S. News & World Report among the nation’s top universities and honored with STARS Gold rating for sustainability by The Princeton Review, Loyola's commitment lies in educating ethical leaders who think critically, act purposefully, and strive for justice and sustainability. Loyola University Chicago offers comprehensive and competitive benefits, fostering a working environment committed to diversity and inclusion.

The Event Manager role at Loyola University Chicago is a full-time, exempt position based at the Rogers Park-Lake Shore Campus within the Conference Services department. This position holds the vital responsibility of managing lodging arrangements and event coordination across the Water Tower and Lake Shore campuses. As the primary on-site contact, the Event Manager oversees the setup, day-of support, and breakdown of various events, ensuring smooth execution that aligns with the University’s recruitment and retention objectives. This role requires close collaboration with university community members and external clients to manage meeting room reservations, summer lodging in residential halls, and year-round accommodations in the Baumhart Suites River North. A key aspect of the role includes hiring, training, and supervising a large student staff of up to 100 individuals who support lodging and event operations.

This position demands hands-on management of lodging assignments, including guest check-in/check-out, payment processing, room setups, housekeeping support, and responding to day/night requests and accommodations. Availability during evenings, weekends, and holidays is essential to address emergencies and client needs promptly. The Event Manager also develops training programs for student staff focusing on job responsibilities and emergency evacuation procedures. Inventory tracking, such as linens, pillows, toiletries, and cleaning supplies, falls under the manager’s purview to support operational needs. Effective coordination with campus partners like Facilities, Catering, and Campus Safety ensures seamless communication and event support.

In addition to operational duties, the Event Manager handles client communications through various inquiry mailboxes, assists with event risk management planning, and oversees the development and management of client quotes, invoices, and contracts. Budget management for Conference Services’ lodging and event allocation units is a crucial responsibility, alongside collaborating with the Manager of Marketing & Sales to achieve or surpass revenue goals annually. Payroll tracking ensures that student work hours and federal work-study funds are appropriately managed. Purchasing duties include acquiring supplies necessary for conference services operations.

Supervisory responsibilities extend to managing student teams and related staff during shifts, maintaining facility operations based on event management software and detailed diagrams, and serving as the client-facing point of contact to provide exceptional concierge and customer service. Organizing diverse events such as meetings, workshops, seminars, and special exhibits also features prominently in this role. The successful candidate will perform monthly financial close procedures, maintain detailed records, and participate in special projects as needed.

The position offers a salary range of $50,000 to $59,000 annually and requires physical demands such as lifting, carrying, standing, climbing, and repetitive motions, often in various working conditions including irregular hours and exposure to inclement weather. This role requires proficiency in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and familiarity with both Apple and Microsoft operating systems. The Event Manager is expected to operate university-owned vehicles and provide supervision while ensuring adherence to university policies and excellence in client service, reflecting Loyola’s Jesuit values and commitment to transformative education.