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Event Operations Manager
| Company | The Wharton School |
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| Location | San Francisco, CA, USA |
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| Salary | $66000 – $91232 |
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| Type | Full-Time |
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| Degrees | Bachelor’s |
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| Experience Level | Mid Level, Senior |
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Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in event management, hospitality, business administration, marketing, or a related field; and 3-5 years of experience in a professional setting with event planning, operations, or venue management, preferably in a higher education, corporate, or nonprofit setting; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Ability to handle high-pressure situations with professionalism and problem-solving skills.
- Strong attention to detail to ensure seamless attendee experiences.
- Strong interpersonal and relationship management skills to collaborate with faculty, students, alumni, and corporate clients.
- Ability to tailor event experiences to different audiences, ensuring alignment with the organization’s mission.
- Skilled in managing client expectations and delivering high-impact event experiences.
- Adaptability and flexibility to step in where needed for seamless event execution.
Responsibilities
- Develop a long-term event strategy that aligns with Wharton’s academic, alumni, and industry engagement goals.
- Be present during events to oversee setup, execution, and troubleshooting, ensuring a smooth experience for attendees.
- Identify and implement strategies to increase external bookings and optimize event space usage for efficiency and financial sustainability.
- Partner with faculty, students, alumni, and external clients to create impactful event experiences.
- Oversee contracts, negotiations, and event budgets to ensure cost-effective and high-quality execution.
- Develop marketing strategies to expand event reach, attract corporate partners, and amplify Wharton’s presence in the Bay Area.
- Work closely with the Senior Client Services Manager to ensure seamless operations and provide backup support for event execution.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience in negotiating contracts with vendors, caterers, AV providers, and other service providers.
- Proficiency in event management software (e.g., Cvent, Eventbrite, EMS, Salesforce) or knowledge of event space management software and systems for scheduling and tracking usage.
- Experience in identifying and implementing strategies to increase external bookings and optimize space utilization.
- Proven experience designing event programs that drive engagement, revenue, and brand impact with an ability to manage multiple events simultaneously, from intimate gatherings to large-scale conferences.
