Associate Director, IMU Events and Services
The Division of Student Life is seeking candidates for the position of Associate Director of IMU Events & Services. This position is responsible for planning, directing, and evaluating all events and services for the Iowa Memorial Union (IMU), including outdoor spaces and facility reservations. This role manages client relationships, oversees outreach and internal events, and provides strategic direction for IMU Event Services. The position also involves budget management, policy development, and participation in long-range strategic planning.
Specific Job Duties & Tasks
Serve as manager of event services, including supervision of staff
To provide support for events and meetings for student organizations, university departments, and public groups.
To assist with marketing and attend tradeshows and conferences.
To provide strategic direction to IMU Event Services and affiliated staff members
Provide extensive knowledge and event-planning expertise regarding the Iowa Memorial Union and space reservations on the UI campus.
Meet with clients regarding event planning from reservation to implementation.
Utilize event management systems (Mazévo) and Visio planning software to manage events with accuracy and attention to detail.
Oversee all IMU outreach programs including Finals Week, Open House, Homecoming, and Values Awards.
Perform management functions such as interviewing, training, performance evaluation, and recommending promotions or dismissals.
Prepare and monitor department budgets; approve operating expenses and capital equipment requests.
Participate in long-range planning, program review, and development of IMU policy and administrative procedures.
Collaborate with Student Life Communications to ensure a marketing plan is in place to promote event spaces and services.
For a detailed job description, please email Ruth Appleton at ruth-appleton@uiowa.edu.
About the Division of Student Life
The Division of Student Life is comprised of staff that embrace new ideas and thoughts, works together to keep our students safe, and provides them with life-changing experiences. The Division of Student Life includes 15 departments that span from Recreational Services to the Office of Leadership, Service and Civic Engagement and everything in between. We believe in working together as one team to achieve our mission: fostering student success by creating and promoting educationally purposeful services and activities within and beyond the classroom.
Required Qualifications
A Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and related facility and supervisory experience.
Considerable (3-5 years) event related experience which includes space planning, facility logistics, event planning, customer relations, and project management.
Ability to apply organization's performance management system, practices, and tools to develop and improve individual, team, and organizational performance.
Extensive knowledge of the techniques and the ability to work with a variety of individuals and groups in a constructive and collaborative manner.
Extensive experience with event management and digital display systems specifically, Visix digital display, Mazévo, and Microsoft Visio software.
Knowledge of, and ability to apply, policies and practices for planning and administering a budget.
Ability to respond to crisis or concerning situations; serve on duty for incidents at night and on weekends at times.
Demonstrated experience creating and maintaining a welcoming and respectful environment.
Ability to contribute to operational (short term), tactical (1-2 years) and strategic (3-5 years) planning in support of the overall business plan.
Desirable Qualifications
Master's degree in Event Planning or Management, Business Administration Project or Operations Management, or an equivalent combination of education and event related experience.
Extensive knowledge of internal & external marketing strategies and ability to identify and communicate opportunities for providing new or enhanced services to clients.
Excellent communication and customer relation skills including the ability to respond promptly and courteously to clients with accurate information.
Working knowledge of and ability to use tools and techniques to prepare for, mitigate, respond to, and recover from an emergency.
Ability to apply organization’s performance management systems for staff covered by a collective bargaining agreement.
Some knowledge of IMU goals and priorities and how to best align with the UI Strategic Plan to meet campus needs.
Some knowledge of UI policies and procedures.
Application Details
To be considered, applicants must upload a resume and cover letter and mark them as a “Relevant File” to the submission.
Successful candidates will be required to self-disclose any conviction history and will be subject to a criminal background check and credential/education verification.
Job openings are posted for a minimum of 14 calendar days and may be removed from posting and filled any time after the original posting period has ended. Up to 5 professional references will be requested at a later step in the recruitment process. Please note that this position is not eligible for visa sponsorship in the United States. For questions or additional information, please contact Ruth Appleton at ruth-appleton@uiowa.edu.
Joining the University of Iowa means becoming a vital part of the Hawkeye community, where your work directly impacts education, research, and student success.
Enjoy exceptional health coverage, university-paid life insurance, robust retirement plans, and generous leave policies. Benefit from 24/7 support services, well-being resources, and access to UI Health Care specialists. Grow professionally with advanced training, leadership development, and tuition assistance.
Iowa City offers a great quality of life with world-class performances at Hancher Auditorium, Big Ten athletics, top-ranked public schools, and outdoor recreation.
Join us in making a difference at a leading Big Ten university and premier public research institution.
Equal opportunity employer
The University of Iowa is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment free from discrimination on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, pregnancy (including childbirth and related conditions), disability, genetic information, status as a U.S. veteran, service in the U.S. military, sexual orientation, or associational preferences.
Persons with disabilities who need assistance or accommodations with the application or interview process may contact University Human Resources/Faculty and Staff Disability Services, (319) 335-2660 or fsds@uiowa.edu. For jobs in UI Health care, please contact UI Health care Leave & Disability Administration at 319-356-7543.
