Events Manager

• Job Type: Officer of Administration
• Regular/Temporary: Temporary
• End Date if Temporary: 1 year from start date
• Hours Per Week: 35
• Salary Range: $68,000 - $72,000

Position Summary

Division Overview

University Life (ULife) is a central division dedicated to supporting all Columbia students by cultivating an inclusive, connected campus community. Partnering closely with Columbia's 17 schools and colleges, we serve as a hub for student engagement, collaboration, and University-wide support. Our work is rooted in building meaningful relationships across the University to help students grow, connect, and thrive.

We focus on strengthening the student experience beyond the classroom by enhancing resources, policies, and programs; promoting opportunities for connection and belonging; and creating spaces for open dialogue across diverse perspectives. Guided by our values of connection, integrity, respect, service, and continuous learning, we work to ensure every student feels welcomed, supported, and empowered to make a meaningful impact at Columbia.

Through partnerships with students, faculty, and staff, University Life champions a campus culture grounded in well-being, inclusion, community citizenship, and personal development. Our work is guided by a vision of a Columbia where every student feels a deep sense of belonging and is empowered to make meaningful contributions through their relationships, engagement, and participation in the community.

The Administration & Operations team provides operational, financial, human resources, event management, and communications support to University Life staff, institutional partners, and all Columbia students. The team also fosters a shared sense of purpose by coordinating team-building experiences, strategic planning retreats, and professional development opportunities. Through relationship-building, collaborative problem-solving, and informed policy guidance, the team strengthens the division's capacity to serve the University community effectively. Administration & Operations serves as a central support for the Division, allowing the University Life teams to focus on their core priorities, initiatives, and programs. The Events team is part of the Administration & Operations department, and ensures that campus spaces serve as welcoming and inclusive environments for student life, community gatherings, and institutional traditions. Responsible for the building management and scheduling of Earl Hall and St. Paul's Chapel, the team plays a key role in supporting vibrant programming across the University.

Reporting to the Director of Events and Operations, the Events Manager will provide general event management support to all aspects of the division's events portfolio, which includes University Life and University-wide events (managed by the division), external events, internal events (University affiliates), and student events (recognized student groups). The Events Manager is part of the University Life Events team and ensures all events are supported in accordance with the division's standards for quality and consistency, including establishing a pleasant environment and experience for all CU affiliates, constituencies, clients, and guests. The Events Manager will provide on- and off-site supervision for all supported events (including nights and weekends) and make recommendations for improving events-related services, policies, and procedures across the division.

This position is 5 days, in-person. Must be able to work flexible hours. Evening, weekend, holiday, and on-call hours may be required.

Responsibilities

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  Serve as a venue manager for all applicable events managed/supported by University Life Events. Duties include but are not limited to: space reservations, work order ticket submission, event planning and logistics, ordering catering/snacks, guest greeting, rental furniture, diagramming, etc.

  
  
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  Perform key tasks in the Event Management System (EMS) to optimize its functionality and user experience; common tasks may include:

  
  
  
  
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    Update accounts to fully integrate available EMS functions (accounting, word merges, and customer communications)

    
    
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    Create customized contract headers and footers for different client groups (SPS, CU departments, ULife departments)

    
    
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    Update customer accounts and add chartstrings as applicable

    
    
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    Attend weekly ULife Events/Columbia University Facilities & Operations/IT team meetings and execute tasks outlined in these meetings

    
    
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    Maintain and update EMS inventory for furniture, A/V tech, and rental items

    
    
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    Manage virtual EMS hours, University holidays, and blackout periods

    
    
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    Release unconfirmed space holds that have not progressed to confirmed status

    
    
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    Liaise with campus partners on event placement and updates to space bookings;

    
    
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    Compile and analyze data for reporting purposes

    
    
  
  
  
  
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  Collaborate with campus partners to ensure accurate logistical support. This includes, but is not limited to: placing work order requests for event-related components (custodial cleaning, furniture installation, public safety, additional electrical needs, etc.).

  
  
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  Work with the Director to conduct post-event analysis in order to suggest future changes and identify opportunities for cost savings.

  
  
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  Work closely with the Associate Director of Events and Sales and Assistant Director of Events on internal, external events (including weddings/memorials), and student events as directed by the Director.

  
  
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  Confirm all applicable charges have been invoiced and are attached to reservations in EMS and uploaded to ULife Finance for processing.

  
  
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  Stay up-to-date on related policies and procedures, and assist with ensuring that purchasing guidelines are followed (cardPointe payments, compliance requirements, including liquor licenses and COIs, when applicable).

  
  
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  Monitor meeting and event spaces to keep them "walkthrough ready" and assist with event walkthrough requests. Communicate relevant issues to the ULife Operations team in a timely manner.

  
  
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  Respond to questions and inquiries addressed to ULife Events in ServiceNow and other platforms. Escalate matters to Director, Executive Director and/or Associate Vice President as necessary.

  
  
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  Assist with communicating event-related policies and procedures.

  
  
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  Maintain databases of information and resources (room diagrams) for ULife Events and conduct periodic comparative analysis of event space competitors.

  
  
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  Attend event reviews, pre-calendaring meetings and all relevant team meetings.

  
  
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  Monitor the daily ULife Operations officer report and take action as needed.

  
  
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  Generate guest QR codes for campus access for large external groups.

  
  
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  Manage the Events team's inventories of props, banners, furniture, equipment and other items utilized during events.

  
  
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  Serve as backup for other ULife Events functions when team members are out of office.

  
  
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  Other duties as assigned

  
  

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and/or its equivalent experience required.
• 2-4 years of related experience.
• Must be able to work with diverse constituencies and support an inclusive and dynamic work environment.
• Exercises sound judgment.
• Experience with client relations/customer service (student event organizers a plus).
• Skilled in building and maintaining relationships with a wide variety of stakeholders.
• Impeccable attention to detail.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment and work independently.
• Experience with Microsoft Word, Excel and Powerpoint.
• Must be able to work a flexible work schedule, including nights and weekends as necessary.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in a higher education setting with a diverse student body and knowledge of issues related to the student experience.
• Experience with EMS (Events Management Software) is a plus.

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

Columbia University is committed to the hiring of qualified local residents.