Operations & Events Manager

The Owen Graduate School of Management is a prestigious professional school within Vanderbilt University, located in the vibrant city of Nashville, Tennessee. As part of a world-renowned university, Owen is dedicated to developing exceptional leaders who understand the importance of ethical business practices and collaborative community engagement. The school emphasizes a culture grounded in its core values, known as the Owen Essentials — Trust, Accountability, Transparency, Inclusiveness, Collaborative Community, Innovation, and Learning. These principles shape the environment and experience for students, faculty, alumni, and staff, creating a supportive and dynamic organization focused on growth and excellence.

Within this esteemed institution, the Finance and Administration team plays a crucial role by overseeing financial activities, employment, payroll actions, and facilities management to ensure the smooth operation of the school. The team’s commitment to providing excellent support services enables faculty, staff, and students to thrive in their academic and professional pursuits.

The Operations and Events Manager is a key position within this team and holds significant responsibility in maintaining the quality and functionality of Owen's physical environment while supporting the community experience through effective event management. This full-time, in-person role is based in the Management Hall at Vanderbilt University, requiring the incumbent to work on-site five days a week. The Operations and Events Manager operates as a leader in operational excellence, balancing day-to-day facilities oversight with strategic event coordination that aligns with Owen’s mission and community goals.

This role involves comprehensive oversight of the Management Hall and auxiliary facilities, including managing maintenance requests, safety rounds, capital improvement projects, and coordinating services such as housekeeping, security, and building access. The manager works collaboratively with Vanderbilt University Maintenance and Operations, as well as the campus police department, to ensure safety protocols and facility standards are adhered to. Responsibilities extend to managing capital equipment inventories, facility signage, furniture, and vendor relationships, supporting capital planning and budgeting efforts for facilities maintenance and upgrades.

In addition to facilities management, the Operations and Events Manager leads the planning and execution of a variety of school events. These include networking receptions, speaker series, orientation programs, commencement ceremonies, and community celebrations. The manager oversees event budgets, vendor contracts, and timelines, supporting the event specialist and ensuring all activities meet Owen’s operational excellence standards. The position requires exceptional project management capabilities to coordinate building renovation and construction efforts, collaborating with senior leadership and keeping the community informed about relevant changes and disruptions to the environment.

As a supervisory role, this position directs and supports the operations and events team, reporting to the Chief Business Officer. The manager must demonstrate strong customer service, communication, and collaborative problem-solving skills, effectively engaging with diverse stakeholders at all levels within Owen and the broader Vanderbilt community. Flexibility in hours is essential due to occasional evening and weekend event demands.

Overall, this is an impactful role offering the opportunity to contribute to the Owen Graduate School of Management’s mission by fostering a welcoming, safe, and vibrant environment that enhances community engagement and supports operational success. Candidates passionate about operational leadership, event coordination, and facility management in an academic setting will find this position rewarding and stimulating.