Field Event Manager

About the Role

Education Support Services (ESS) provides audiovisual and instructional support, event and media production, training, and consulting services to faculty, staff, and students in the Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS) and Harvard community. The team supports the school’s mission by delivering premium technology offerings that enhance and creatively advance the teaching & learning environment.

ESS is comprised of three service groups: Event & Media Production, Teaching and Learning Support, and Integrated Audiovisual Services. The Field Event Manager for Event & Media Production works closely with the Director of Events and Media Production and the Manager of Media Production to manage event staffing and associated resources, ensuring operational success across a portfolio of Harvard community events, including those on evenings and weekends. The Manager oversees the work of ten positions: two Field Production Managers, event coordination staff, and six Senior Media Technicians.

Responsibilities

• Hire, manage, and oversee performance of ten direct reports: two Field Production Managers, event coordination staff, and six Senior Media Technicians.
• Actively participate in the Events budget planning process, coordinate work, provide data, and advise leadership regarding staffing and operational needs.
• Develop a sustainable financial model for the service line by contributing to a book of business.
• Manage day-to-day field event staffing, coordination, scheduling, and resource distribution across field teams to ensure operational success for Harvard community events, including evenings and weekends.
• Oversee onboarding, training, and professional development for the field events team; assign work, ensure quality control, and plan in conjunction with ESS leadership.
• Participate in the hiring process, including interviewing candidates; approve time and absences for direct reports.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to ESS leadership, troubleshooting operational issues on the ground.
• Determine, with input from coordinators, Field Production Managers, and the Manager of Media Production, capacity to support event requests and refer clients to outside resources as required.
• Coordinate with the Integrated AV Services team to ensure design updates and maintenance of event venue equipment that effectively support event needs.
• Develop and maintain an operations dashboard with other managers and ESS leadership, aggregating real-time information from workflow platforms and other inputs (including ITSM platforms and HART) to support data-driven decision-making.
• Cultivate new business and maintain positive relationships with existing clients; coordinate and supervise the invoicing and billing process to ensure accuracy and timeliness.
• Explore opportunities to improve workflows and optimize revenue generation.
• Organize the review and purchase of non-capital equipment in support of field events, ensuring operational needs are met and purchase requests align with ESS support strategies and efficiencies.
• Abide by and follow HUIT technical standards, policies, and Code of Conduct.
• Build strong relationships with AV teams, Teaching & Learning colleagues, clients, and vendors to successfully execute non-class events and achieve a high level of client satisfaction.

Requirements

• Minimum of two years’ post-secondary education or relevant work experience.

Qualifications and Skills

• Advanced knowledge of event production and audiovisual best practices and systems, including projection, live video production and streaming, and audio reinforcement.
• Experience or training in customer service, particularly field operations, and a strong ability to deliver high-level solutions in a timely and dependable manner.
• Excellent analytical and troubleshooting skills; ability to identify and resolve the root cause of systemic technical or process issues.
• Previous working experience with ServiceNow, SharePoint, Panopto, Zoom, Farmer’s Wife/Cirkus, and Filemaker desirable.
• Working knowledge of ITIL and ITSM (IT Service Management) best practices and tools desirable.
• Ability to serve as a change agent and manage a team through periods of rapid change.
• Can easily present technical concepts to clients in non-technical language.
• Management experience, including financial planning, budget oversight, and staff supervision.
• Previous experience managing in a union environment and working with faculty in higher education is a plus.
• Familiarity with HR practices (evaluation, hiring, etc.).
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex projects through completion.
• Demonstrated team performance skills, a service-mindset approach, and the ability to act as a trusted advisor.
• Certification in IT or AV field desirable.

Physical Requirements

• Must be able to lift 50 lbs.
• Must be able to move equipment and cables across campus.

Additional Information

This position is located in Cambridge, MA. Some night and weekend work may be required. Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position.

This position has an 180-day orientation and review period. Some duties and responsibilities can be performed at a non-Harvard location, with the work schedule and location set by the department based on operational needs. When not working at a Harvard or Harvard-designated location, employees in hybrid positions must work in a Harvard registered state.

Benefits

• Generous paid time off including parental leave.
• Medical, dental, and vision health insurance coverage starting on day one.
• Retirement plans with university contributions.
• Wellbeing and mental health resources.
• Support for families and caregivers.
• Professional development opportunities including tuition assistance and reimbursement.
• Commuter benefits, discounts, and campus perks.