Director of Marketing & Events

This full-time position is part of a 16-member team that manages the McNamara Alumni Center, an award-winning event center and office building located on the University of Minnesota Minneapolis campus. Team members are employees of University Gateway Corporation (UGC), a private nonprofit organization founded by the University of Minnesota Foundation and the University of Minnesota Alumni Association.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership to McNamara’s Event Operations & Sales Teams (8 staff):
  • Participate in hiring event staff, ensuring thorough and effective training. Provide input on individuals and teams, offering guidance and motivation in their responsibilities.
  • Supervise and support the Sales Manager and the Event Manager.
  • Ensure high customer service standards and consistent branding are delivered through all touchpoints with clients—from inquiries, tours, coordination through event completion and follow-up.
  • Continually analyze the operation for efficiencies and effectiveness, modifying or setting policies and procedures. Assess and initiate opportunities for change and improvement. Include team members as appropriate, challenging them to think outside-the-box and rewarding innovative thinking.
  • Ensure ongoing training of emergency preparedness planning, crisis management, and security requests.
  • Lead inspiring weekly staff meetings of sales and operations teams.
  • Plan and lead an annual retreat of event staff, including onsite catering staff if desired. Hold teammates accountable for goals and proposed initiatives.
  • Identify areas for professional growth in managers and all event staff; provide opportunities for learning new skills and enrichment.
  • Conduct performance reviews, requesting 360-degree input and providing meaningful, thoughtful feedback.
• Oversee Marketing of Events Business to Identify and Secure New Event Clients:
  • Work with the Sales Manager to brainstorm marketing initiatives, strategies, advertising campaigns, and promotions for the event business. Target markets include planners of conferences, corporate meetings, non-profit galas, and weddings.
  • Work with freelance writers, graphic designers, and videographers to produce web, digital, and print advertising, client e-news, direct marketing mailers, sales materials, and trade show displays.
  • Give direction to McNamara’s web developer; be knowledgeable of WordPress to help manage the McNamara Alumni Center website. Edit content, supply files, and provide strategy.
  • Give direction to McNamara’s Google Ads consultant; evaluate and monitor MAC’s Google ad performance. Write or edit content.
  • Give direction to McNamara’s Sales & Marketing Coordinator who updates McNamara’s online listings, manages social media, compiles McNamara’s photo library, and assists with miscellaneous marketing projects.
  • Attend ILEA, MPI, MN Bride, Meet Minneapolis, and other industry events and meetings, exploring memberships as appropriate.
• Establish Good Partner Relationships with Key University Departments Whose Work Impacts McNamara’s Event Business:
  • Initiate and foster relationships with representatives of UMPD, Parking and Transportation, Athletics, General Counsel, University Real Estate, Student Activities Office, University Relations, Graduate Minneapolis Hotel, and other campus venues.
  • Negotiate issues related to the events business, leveraging UGC’s contributions to the University and exposure through McNamara’s events. Past negotiations have included parking ramp access and rates for MAC events; property lines and uses; security costs; university event contract terms; plaza booking procedures, etc.
  • In collaboration with the Sales Manager, negotiate trades and long-term agreements with UMAA, Minnesota Carlson (1st Tuesday), and other units.
• Monitor Performance of D’Amico Hospitality, McNamara’s Exclusive Catering Partner:
  • Negotiate contract terms, commission structures, operational responsibilities, and procedures.
  • Share customer and staff feedback on personnel and service.
  • Provide training to new catering staff as it relates to the McNamara-D’Amico partnership and McNamara’s processes and procedures.
  • Negotiate joint trades, marketing initiatives, and hosting special events that bring clients to McNamara (wedding showcases, open houses, etc.).
  • Have a bi-annual check-in meeting with D’Amico’s leadership.
• Represent and Advocate for the Event Business on the UGC Senior Management Team:
  • Attend weekly Senior Manager Meetings led by the COO & General Manager.
  • Assist the Event Manager in negotiating building construction and repair timelines, tenant requests that impact the events business.
  • Brainstorm and lobby for improved operational recommendations including building hours, security needs, capital improvements, etc.
  • Participate in strategic planning of any expansion and developments at McNamara or on campus as it relates to McNamara. Prepare reports and research, working with consultants and vendors.
• Manage the Events Financials & Monitor Business Performance:
  • Manage the full budget cycle for the $2.6M events business, including annual budgeting, forecasting, and variance analysis. Ensure financial performance aligns with UGC organizational goals and strategic priorities.
  • Partner with Event and Sales Managers to establish annual revenue and profitability goals that support the strategic plan set by the COO. Monitor the events aging report and work with the Sales Manager to resolve outstanding balances and improve collections.
  • Monitor expenses to ensure spending remains within budget and recommend adjustments by the Event Manager as needed.
  • Review monthly P&L statements to ensure accuracy, identify trends, and address any questions from the COO & General Manager and Controller. Prepare monthly financial reports and written summaries highlighting business performance, budget variances, and key trends. Partner with COO & General Manager and Controller during year-end close to ensure accurate financial reporting.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing, Communications, Hospitality, Business, or equivalent.
• Minimum of 8 years of marketing experience.
• Minimum of 8 years of leading a team, preferably within the hospitality industry (event planning, venue or hotel management, catering, etc.).
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel), Adobe Suite (PhotoShop, InDesign), event industry software systems (EMS, Social Tables).
• Strong written and oral communication skills, including the ability to clearly present expectations and provide direction.
• Strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Demonstrated commitment to customer service excellence.
• Ability to work flexible hours.
• Physical requirements may include standing and lifting up to 50 lbs.

Benefits

• Up to 20 days of PTO in the first year of employment.
• Paid holidays.
• Medical, dental, and eye health coverage.
• 403(b) retirement plan.
• 24-7 paid parking in adjacent ramp.
• Cell phone reimbursement.
• Paid parental leave.
• University of Minnesota RecWell membership.