Events Parking Operations Manager

About the Department of Transportation Services

The University of Maryland's Department of Transportation Services (DOTS) delivers a wide range of parking and transportation solutions to a diverse campus community of over 50,000 students, faculty, and staff in the Greater College Park area. As a self-supporting unit within the Division of Administration, DOTS is the primary agency responsible for managing the university's parking and transit programs. We are committed to building a dynamic and inclusive workforce that includes both student employees and full-time staff. Our mission is to provide safe, efficient, sustainable, and forward-thinking transportation services that meet the evolving needs of the UMD community through strategic planning, education, and service.

About the Role

The Special Events Manager is responsible for the overall planning, coordination, and execution of parking and transportation services for special events held on the University of Maryland campus. This position serves as the primary point of contact for event organizers, university departments, conference groups, athletic programs, alumni organizations, external clients, and other stakeholders requiring parking and transportation support. The Special Events Manager oversees all aspects of event parking operations for a diverse portfolio of events ranging from small meetings and departmental gatherings to major campus-wide programs, conferences, commencement ceremonies, sporting events, open houses, alumni events, concerts, festivals, and other large-scale public events.

The position is responsible for managing the entire event planning process for parking, including customer consultations, parking and transportation planning, staffing coordination, space allocation, permit and credential management, signage, communications, traffic management, enforcement coordination, contractor oversight, billing, and post-event evaluation. Working closely with campus partners including Athletics, Facilities Management, University Police, Resident Life, Dining Services, Conference and Visitor Services, Alumni Relations, academic departments, and external organizations, the Special Events Manager develops operational plans that support the safe, efficient, and customer-focused movement and parking of event attendees across campus.

In addition, the Special Events Manager supervises Special Events staff, oversees the department's Motorist Assistance Program, manages contracted event staffing services, coordinates event-related parking enforcement activities, oversees the development of the unit's website for event permit sales, billing processes, and ensures that all event operations align with departmental policies, university objectives, and exceptional customer service standards. This position requires strong organizational, communication, project management, and customer relations skills, along with the ability to manage multiple events simultaneously in a dynamic university environment.

Responsibilities

• Plan, coordinate, and execute parking and transportation services for special events
• Serve as primary point of contact for event organizers, university departments, conference groups, athletic programs, alumni organizations, external clients, and other stakeholders
• Manage the entire event planning process including customer consultations, parking and transportation planning, staffing coordination, space allocation, permit and credential management, signage, communications, traffic management, enforcement coordination, contractor oversight, billing, and post-event evaluation
• Develop operational plans in collaboration with campus partners including Athletics, Facilities Management, University Police, Resident Life, Dining Services, Conference and Visitor Services, Alumni Relations, academic departments, and external organizations
• Supervise Special Events staff
• Oversee the department's Motorist Assistance Program
• Manage contracted event staffing services
• Coordinate event-related parking enforcement activities
• Oversee the development of the unit's website for event permit sales and billing processes
• Ensure all event operations align with departmental policies, university objectives, and exceptional customer service standards

Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university. Additional work experience as defined below may be substituted on a year-for-year basis for up to four (4) years of the required education.

Experience: Three (3) or more years of professional experience and one (1) year of experience in a supervisory or lead role.

Licenses/Certifications: Valid driver's license and eligibility to operate university vehicles required.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of principles and techniques of written and oral communication, including methods for adapting communication style to different audiences
• Knowledge of documentation standards, procedures, and best practices for ensuring consistent and accurate team deliverables
• Knowledge of office productivity software such as Microsoft Office 365 and Google Workspace
• Skill in leading presentations and conducting training sessions for large groups
• Skill in collaborating effectively with Managers, Assistant Directors, and Directors to identify and resolve problems, implement improvements, and address ongoing issues
• Skill in coaching and mentoring team members to enhance performance, provide constructive feedback, and support professional development
• Ability to define deadlines, manage workloads, and maintain quality standards for deliverables
• Ability to comprehend and navigate complex interpersonal situations, applying empathy and discretion when addressing conflicts or sensitive matters
• Ability to implement and uphold documentation standards and procedures across all team functions

Preferences

• Five (5) years experience managing parking for large scale events and working with service contractors
• Two (2) years of experience directly supervising staff
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the proven ability to communicate effectively with diverse individuals and groups
• Comfort with communicating regularly with individuals on all levels of management
• Outstanding organizational skills as this position requires extreme attention to detail
• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities successfully
• Ability to work an extended work week, when needed, to include evenings and weekends, during peak times, and while maintaining a positive outlook when engaging staff, customers, and partners
• Experience working in a university setting
• Experience with athletic events
• Experience with Point of Sale (POS) devices

Pay

$70,000 - $84,000

Schedule

Work hours vary based on operational needs and include evenings, weekends, holidays, and extended hours as necessary to effectively manage and support the Special Events unit. Work is performed in both an office environment during normal business hours and in outdoor settings, with regular exposure to varying weather conditions throughout all four seasons. This position requires frequent movement between indoor and outdoor work environments to support and oversee special events parking operations.