Posting Details

I. JOB OVERVIEW

Job Description Summary:

Reporting to the Director, Venues, the Sr. Associate Director, Venues assists with supporting the GW Venues Team that manages the logistics for events and activities booked on campus by an Event Hosts. These events provide support for both internal and external partners who require logistical assistance in specialty event venues, outdoor spaces and other emerging partner campus venues. This position serves as the strategic lead for sponsored and external events booked at the University Student Center (USC). The Sr. Associate Director manages two Venue Managers as direct reports to manage the events at USC and other emerging partner venues on campus.

Responsibilities include:

• Serves as the lead Venue Manager for sponsored and external events at USC and other specialty venues on campus overseeing assigned events from the planning stage through live execution.
• Partner with leadership to strategically market the unique abilities and resources of the USC, actively engaging with high-value prospective clients to pitch capabilities, overcome objections, and successfully bring in new clients.
• Manages two Venue Managers as direct reports.
• Partners with event hosts to plan and execute campus events while actively enforcing all university compliance policies, safety guidelines, accessibility standards, and operational excellence expectations.
• Assists in the development, enforcement, and updating of venue usage policies, event safety procedures, scheduling protocols, operational guidelines, and SOPs for new venues.
• Contributes to weekly team meeting agendas and participates actively in cross-functional coordination meetings to align on upcoming event requirements and coordinating with USC operational staff.
• Ensures spaces are utilized at optimal capacity during events.
• Works with event hosts on logistical planning, direction, and execution, including but not limited to consulting on vendor selection, script review, and budgeting.
• Serves as the primary liaison between clients, contractors, caterers, administrators, and university partners to manage all logistical aspects of events.
• Conducts pre-event walk-throughs with clients, vendors, and security to familiarize them with the venue.
• Supervises event onsite, acting as the primary point of contact for troubleshooting and last-minute adjustments.
• Conduct post-event walkthroughs with clients to ensure the venue, furniture, and equipment are returned in their original condition, documenting any discrepancies or maintenance issues that require resolution.
• Coordinates and cultivates relationships with shared services and partner departments across campus (e.g., Facilities, Campus Safety, GWPD, AV, Housekeeping, USC staff, etc.) to execute event logistics, including room setup, vendor/attendee access, staffing, and crowd management to ensure all operational needs are addressed efficiently.
• Works with clients to determine room setups and create/update diagrams for each event.
• Provides guidance to clients regarding third-party vendors for additional services (e.g., décor, entertainment, rentals) and work along with the Production Team to provide guidance on vendors for additional AV services.
• Assists with interviewing candidates, training, and supervising venue staff.
• Assists with the development and management of trainings and templates for venue staff.
• Creates detailed event orders-including comprehensive timelines, setup logistics, furniture and equipment needs, and labor requirements-to clearly communicate operational expectations and final costs to the client.
• Consults with the scheduling department to assess availability for requested events and staffing needs at venues on campus.
• Maintains accurate records of event details, incidents, and client feedback for continuous improvement, assisting with the development, distribution, and analysis of post-event evaluation surveys.
• Creates and sends all appropriate reports in a timely manner.
• Performs other related duties as assigned. The omission of specific duties does not preclude the supervisor from assigning duties that are logically related to the position. The position is based at GW's Foggy Bottom Campus in Washington, DC.

Minimum Qualifications:

Qualified candidates will hold a high school diploma/GED plus 4 years of relevant professional experience, or, a Bachelor's degree or higher in a relevant area of study. Degree must be conferred by the start date of the position. Degree requirements may be substituted with an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.

Additional Required Licenses/Certifications/Posting Specific Minimum Qualifications:

• CMP or related certification required.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working at a University is desired
• 4+ years' experience organizing complex events, managing large auditoriums/theaters or TV quality studio venues is preferred.

PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS
This position desires an individual with the following characteristics:

• Commitment to GW's values
• Intellectual, professional and a person of integrity
• Honest, with the highest ethical standards
• Passionate, collaborative, strategic, and smart with a hands-on, roll-up-the-sleeves orientation
• Ability to work independently
• Self-starter; hard worker
• Takes the initiative; very high energy
• Personally accountable
• Assumes ownership, control, and accountability for all areas of responsibility and commitments made to others
• Sincere, open, and direct communicator
• Puts organizational interests above self-interests and is comfortable expressing candid opinions
• Highest levels of responsiveness
• Combination of strong intellect that is combined with a practical and realistic common sense understanding of how to get things done
• Ability to demonstrate initiative, a strong desire to succeed and exert the extraordinary effort often required
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, high-growth, entrepreneurial environment
• Ability to work with faculty and staff in a respectful way
• Establish trust and credibility with institutional leadership and across the University
• Seeks "win-win" solutions to help foster continued integration and collaboration
• Flexible and receptive to change
• A positive "can-do" attitude.

Hiring Range
$76,921.10 - $133,924.98

GW Staff Approach to Pay

How is pay for new employees determined at GW?

Healthcare Benefits
GW offers a comprehensive benefit package that includes medical, dental, vision, life & disability insurance, time off & leave, retirement savings, tuition, well-being and various voluntary benefits. For program details and eligibility, please visit https://hr.gwu.edu/benefits-programs.

II. JOB DETAILS

Campus Location:
Foggy Bottom, Washington, D.C.

College/School/Department:
Division of Safety and Operation

Family
Safety and Facilities

Sub-Family
Events

Stream
Management

Level
Level 1

Full-Time/Part-Time:
Full-Time

Hours Per Week:
40

Work Schedule:
Monday - Friday, 8:30 am - 5 pm, with flexibility to work occasional nights and/or weekends

Will this job require the employee to work on site?
Yes

Employee Onsite Status
Hybrid

Telework:
Yes

Required Background Check:
Criminal History Screening, Education/Degree/Certifications Verification, Social Security Number Trace, and Sex Offender Registry Search

Special Instructions to Applicants:

Employer will not sponsor for employment Visa status

Internal Applicants Only?
No

Posting Number:
S014429

Job Open Date:
08/26/2026

Job Close Date:

If temporary, grant funded, Sponsored Project funded or limited term appointment, position funded until:

Background Screening
Successful Completion of a Background Screening will be required as a condition of hire.