First Opportunity Program: Event Operations Manager - Portland Expo Center

This is a First Opportunity recruitment, we are only accepting applications from residents who live within the First Opportunity Target Area (FOTA) and meet the qualifying annual household income limit. For more information please visit Hello, we’re Metro! Metro is dedicated to shaping a better future for the greater Portland region. The work the people of Metro do every day benefits the lives of the people who live here, today, and tomorrow. The Portland Expo Center is seeking an Event Operations Manager to provide operational leadership during evenings and weekends. The Expo Center hosts a variety of large-scale events, including consumer shows, trade shows, sporting events, and community gatherings that bring people together from across the region. As the on-site leader, you'll help ensure events are delivered safely and successfully by coordinating staff, contractors, and event partners while maintaining a welcoming environment for clients and guests. This role is ideal for someone who thrives in a fast-paced setting, approaches challenges with a solutions-focused mindset, and enjoys leading teams to achieve shared goals. This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced or emerging leader who wants to work in a fast-paced event environment, support a wide variety of large-scale events, and make a visible impact on the experience of clients, guests, and employees. If you enjoy solving problems, leading teams, and helping people perform at their best, we’d love to see what you can bring to this role. Event Operations Manager responsibilities Oversee evening and weekend venue operations, ensuring the facility is safe, welcoming, and prepared for staff, clients, and guests. Conduct regular building rounds to monitor operations, staff, vendors, and client needs, and provide on-site problem-solving support. Serve as the primary escalation point for staff and client concerns during shift, ensuring timely resolution and documentation, including nightly Event Operations Manager (EOM) reports, event summaries, and other required communications. Manage and coordinate client services during events, including contracted services such as catering, A/V, telecom, guest experience, and parking. Support load-in and load-out activities, troubleshoot operational and technical issues, and coordinate service adjustments as needed. Provide operational leadership and support to staff by conducting regular check-ins to ensure work is progressing effectively and resources are available; assisting department managers with real‑time coaching and direction; supporting team members through change; adjusting work plans to best meet client and venue needs; and maintaining open communication with management regarding staff performance and event execution. Participate in event planning and logistics meetings, including production meetings, three-month look ahead meetings, and event lifecycle meetings. Evaluate operational practices to ensure efficiency, effectiveness, and alignment with industry standards, recommending and implementing improvements where appropriate. Support venue financial responsibilities by monitoring and controlling costs related to labor, supplies, and materials to ensure service quality and operational effectiveness. Attributes for success Demonstrated ability to lead, coach, and develop teams while fostering a positive and collaborative work environment. Sound judgment and ability to make timely, effective decisions in a fast-paced and high- pressure situations. Ability to resolve conflict, resolve issues, and address escalated concerns with professionalism and tact. Proven ability to balance multiple priorities while maintaining high standards for safety, service and operational effectiveness. Strong verbal and written communication, organization, and collaboration skills. Proficiency with Microsoft 365 applications and event management technology. Professionalism and discretion when addressing employee matters, client concerns, and confidential information. Diversity and inclusion At Metro, we strive to cultivate diversity, advance equity, and practice inclusion in all of its work. This means attracting and empowering a workforce that is inclusive of a broad range of human qualities. Workplace diversity is both a moral imperative and a business strength, essential to providing quality support and services to our region. Metro’s goal is to hire, develop and retain highly skilled and talented individuals across all departments and programs who best reflect the diversity of our community. Learn more about how Metro is advancing diversity.

TO QUALIFY

We will consider any combination of relevant work experience, volunteering, education, and transferable skills as qualifying unless an item or section is labeled required. Please be clear and specific in your application materials on how your background is relevant. Minimum qualifications High school diploma plus at least one year of specialized training from college or technical school, and Three years of relevant experience in event, venue or hotel management, and Two years of supervisory experience, or Any combination of education, professional, volunteer and lived experience that provides the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the classification duties and responsibilities. Required qualifications Current and valid driver’s license Finalist will need to be able to successfully pass a background check. Must have availability to work an evening and weekend, event driven schedule. Schedule: This position is based onsite at the Portland Expo Center and plays a key role in supporting event operations. The Expo Center operates seven days a week, with events and activities occurring at various times throughout the day and evening. As a result, this position requires flexibility to work evenings, weekends, and occasional extended hours based on event schedules and operational needs. The typical workweek is 40 hours, with additional hours periodically required during busy event periods. Primary schedule is expected to be Wednesday‑Sunday 2:00 pm‑10:30 pm with adjustments based on event and operational needs. If this statement is true for you, then you may be ineligible to apply If you were terminated for cause during any employment with Metro, or resigned in lieu of termination, you may be ineligible for rehire for a minimum of 3 years. Like to have qualifications You do not need to have the following preferred qualifications/transferable skills to qualify. However, keep in mind we may consider them when identifying the most qualified candidates. Your transferable skills are any skills you have gained through education, work experience, including the military, or life experience that are relevant for this position. Experience working in a public assembly facility, such as a convention center, exposition center, arena, stadium, performing arts venue, or similar event facility. Experience leading venue or event operations, including coordinating staff, contractors, and operational services during events. Experience developing, implementing, or improving operational procedures and service standards. Knowledge of workplace safety, crowd management, emergency response, or other safety practices applicable to public assembly facilities. Screening and evaluation The application packet consists of the following required documents. Please ensure that you upload these documents in your online application. Make sure your application is complete, missing any part of these items could result in an incomplete application and will not be moved forward in the recruitment. A attachment of resume that includes the following details for each employer: Name of employer Working title Dates of employment; including if the work was full-time or part-time Number of employees supervisedDetailed summary of your responsibilities Responses to supplemental questions The selection process Initial review of minimum qualifications In-depth evaluation of application materials to identify the most qualified candidates #J-18808-Ljbffr Oregon Metro