Manager of Hospitality and Events

Job Description

Job Description

Title: Manager of Hospitality and Events

Department/Location: Events & Hospitality / Elsah

Position Type: Full-Time, 12-Month

Summary

The Manager of Hospitality and Events oversees the day-to-day operations of campus events, guest services, conference support, and hospitality functions, including the Guest House. This position is responsible for coordinating logistics, supervising event staff, ensuring exceptional guest experiences, and executing events and hospitality services in alignment with institutional standards. Working under the direction of the Director, the Manager ensures the smooth operation of campus venues, guest accommodations, student event staffing, and event support services while maintaining a high standard of customer service and operational excellence. 

This position reports to the Director of Events & Hospitality and works closely with Student Life, Facilities, Dining Services, Media Services, Admissions, Advancement, Athletics, Academic Affairs, and the President's Office.

The Manager supervises student event staff and may oversee additional event support personnel. The position serves as a primary operational liaison with campus departments, vendors, conference organizers, and guests.

Who We Are  

At our award-winning Early Childhood through grade 12 Principia School in St. Louis, Missouri, and top-ranked Principia College in Elsah, Illinois, Principia faculty and staff make up a close-knit community of educators, coaches, and professionals taking a distinct approach to education—blending academic excellence with Christian Science-based character education. Principia’s team of over 500 employees supports not only Principia School and Principia College, but also a worldwide network of alumni and friends. 

At Principia College, our globally-focused curriculum honors diverse perspectives and develops creative changemakers who use their academic skills for good in service to themselves, their communities, and the world. In-depth study meets real-world experience through study abroad programs, internships, capstone projects, and a robust slate of student activities, including a world-renowned mediation team, top-ranked solar car team, and the nation’s oldest student-run public affairs conference.

Principia employees are part of an engaging academic community preparing students to be tomorrow’s leaders, thinkers, and changemakers. We strive to create a collaborative and inclusive environment where everyone feels they belong and are valued.

Primary Responsibilities

• Coordinates and executes the logistical aspects of campus events, conferences, meetings, and special programs.
• Serves as the operational lead for assigned events, ensuring facilities, catering, technology, transportation, equipment, signage, and staffing needs are met.
• Assists with major institutional events including Commencement, Convocation, Parent & Family Weekend, Orientation, Homecoming, speaker events, and campus traditions.
• Supports student organizations, house boards, departments, and conference groups with event planning and execution.
• Monitors event activities and provides on-site troubleshooting and problem resolution.

Hospitality & Guest Services

• Manages day-to-day operations of the Guest House and related hospitality services.
• Oversees guest reservations, check-in processes, room readiness, amenities, and service requests.
• Ensures a welcoming, professional, and high-quality experience for campus visitors, speakers, conference attendees, prospective students, alumni, donors, and other guests.
• Coordinates hospitality arrangements for VIP visitors and special campus guests.
• Maintains guest service standards established by the department.

Staff & Student Workforce Supervision

• Recruits, trains, schedules, and supervises student event staff and support personnel.
• Assigns work responsibilities and monitors performance.
• Develops student leadership, customer service, hospitality, and event management skills.
• Ensures appropriate staffing coverage for events, conferences, and guest operations.
• Maintains training materials and operational procedures for student workers.

Facilities & Venue Management

• Coordinates space reservations, room setups, furniture arrangements, equipment deployment, and event readiness.
• Monitors the condition and utilization of event venues and hospitality spaces.
• Coordinates with Facilities, Custodial Services, Dining Services, and Media Services to ensure successful event execution.
• Maintains inventories of supplies, equipment, and hospitality resources.

Administrative & Financial Support

• Assists in managing departmental budgets and tracking event-related expenditures.
• Processes invoices, purchase requests, reservations, and operational documentation.
• Maintains event records, utilization reports, and assessment data.
• Supports contract administration and vendor coordination as assigned.
• Generates reports related to event participation, facility utilization, and guest services.

Communication & Service Excellence

• Serves as a key point of contact for event sponsors, guests, vendors, and campus partners.
• Communicates event requirements clearly and effectively across departments.
• Upholds professionalism, diplomacy, and confidentiality when interacting with internal and external stakeholders.
• Contributes to a culture of hospitality, collaboration, and service excellence across campus.

Special Requirements

• Ability to work evenings, weekends, and occasional holidays as required by event schedules
• Ability to stand, walk, lift, move, and transport event materials and equipment.
• Ability to work in indoor and outdoor environments.
• Must be able to respond to operational issues during events and guest stays as needed.

Core  Competencies

Principia values the unique strengths each employee brings to their role. The following competencies are especially important for success at Principia:

• Continuous Learning & Expertise: Demonstrates mastery in your area of responsibility and seeks opportunities for professional growth and development.
• Accountability & Results Orientation: Manages time and priorities effectively, meets commitments, and consistently delivers high-quality outcomes.
• Problem Solving & Judgment: Approaches challenges thoughtfully, considers multiple perspectives, and makes sound, timely decisions that support institutional goals.
• Proactivity & Ownership: Takes initiative, anticipates needs, and drives projects forward with minimal supervision while taking responsibility for outcomes.
• Excellence & Attention to Detail: Produces accurate, polished, and high-quality work; continuously looks for ways to improve systems, processes, and results.
• Service Orientation: Builds positive, supportive relationships and responds promptly and professionally to the needs of students, colleagues, and other stakeholders.
• Collaboration & Collegiality: Works cooperatively across departments and teams; values input from others and contributes to a positive, respectful environment.
• Communication: Shares information clearly and concisely; listens carefully to others and adjusts communication style for different audiences and situations.
• Leadership: Inspires and guides others with clarity, compassion, and accountability; supports individual and team growth in alignment with Principia’s mission and goals.
• Culture & Team Building: Fosters a culture of trust, collaboration, and open communication; demonstrates genuine care for team members’ well-being and development.
• Resource Stewardship: Manages budgets, time, and resources responsibly and strategically to achieve departmental and institutional objectives.

Minimum Qualifications

• Student of Christian Science, preferred 
• Supportive of Principia’s guiding statements as articulated here -statements

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Three to five years of experience in event operations, hospitality, conference services, guest services, or a related field.
• Experience supervising staff and/or student employees preferred.
• Strong organizational, customer service, and project coordination skills.
• Experience working in higher education, hospitality, nonprofit, or other mission-driven environments preferred.

The statements above describe the general nature and level of work but are not a complete list of responsibilities and are subject to change at the discretion of Principia. 

Compensation and Benefits

We offer a competitive starting salary range for this position, commensurate with experience and qualifications.

In addition to salary, our comprehensive total rewards package includes:

• Generous Employee Tuition Discount: Enjoy a 90% discount on tuition (pro-rated for part-time staff) for your eligible children enrolled from Pre-K3 through College (infant and acorn programs excluded). 
• Relocation: Principia provides a relocation reimbursement of up to 12% of your annual salary, when moving from outside a radius of more than 50 miles. 
• Professional Development: Access to learning opportunities, training programs, and career growth support.
• Comprehensive Benefits : Learn more about all our benefits here, including comprehensive health, dental, and vision plans, paid time off, a 403(b) retirement plan with Principia matching, and more. 

Equal Opportunity

Principia, a mission-driven institution, believes every person has the right to an equitable and respectful educational environment and workplace. Principia does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnicity, gender (identity or expression), sexual orientation, family status, disability, age, or military or veteran status.