Events & Operations Manager

The Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) is a world-renowned private research university located in Rochester, New York. Established with a commitment to advancing knowledge and fostering innovation, RIT offers a wide range of academic programs and is known for its emphasis on experiential education and career readiness. The institution serves a diverse student body and provides cutting-edge facilities that support both academic and extracurricular activities. Among its prominent venues is the Gene Polisseni Center, a state-of-the-art facility that hosts a variety of athletic and campus events, including Division 1 men’s and women’s hockey programs. RIT prides itself on creating an inclusive, engaging environment that promotes collaboration between students, faculty, and staff, ensuring a rich campus life experience.

The role of Event Operations Manager at RIT is a specialized contributor level position that plays a vital role in managing and executing event operations at the Gene Polisseni Center. This full-time exempt role offers a salary range of $49,500 to $67,500 and is designed for a hands-on leader who thrives in a fast-paced, event-driven environment. The Event Operations Manager is responsible for comprehensive event planning, overseeing itineraries, resource allocations, and logistics to ensure smooth execution of high-profile athletic and campus events. This position requires managing venue setup and conversions, utilizing critical scheduling software and technical systems essential to the venue’s operations, and supervising a large team of student staff.

In addition to event management, the role involves maintaining strong partnerships with various campus departments, clients, and external vendors to ensure the highest quality of event support. The manager oversees operational equipment and purchasing, ensuring all event supplies and technical resources are available and functional. A key responsibility includes managing evening and weekend rental activities and coordinating staff that support these events. This role demands excellent customer service and hospitality management skills, along with the ability to negotiate and coordinate effectively with various stakeholders. Ideal candidates will have at least three years of relevant experience and a Bachelor’s degree in a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Overall, the Event Operations Manager is pivotal in delivering outstanding guest experiences by maintaining seamless event operations in one of RIT’s most prominent venues.