Manager, University Relations & Venue Operations

Job Description:

The Manager, University Relations & Venue Operations leads strategic relationships with university and venue partners that support WorldStrides programs. This role owns partnership development, venue sourcing, negotiation, operational decision-making, risk escalation, and the overall performance of the K-12 Individual Programs & Events university portfolio. The Manager also supervises the Mexico-based University & Venue Operations Coordinator and establishes the systems, priorities, and service standards that enable reliable execution across contracts, housing, space assignments, invoices, shipments, and other venue deliverables.

Job Responsibilities:

University and Venue Partnership Management

• Serve as the primary relationship owner for assigned universities, colleges, schools, and other host venues.
• Build and maintain collaborative, year-round partnerships with campus event teams, housing and dining departments, facilities, academic contacts, and senior venue stakeholders.
• Lead renewal conversations, partnership reviews, and strategic planning discussions to strengthen long-term relationships and support program growth.
• Represent WorldStrides during site visits, campus meetings, industry conferences, and other partner engagements.
• Address sensitive relationship matters, venue performance concerns, and escalations that require judgment or negotiation.

Venue Sourcing, Evaluation, and Contracting

• Identify and evaluate prospective host venues based on program requirements, geography, capacity, housing, classroom and meeting space, dining, accessibility, participant experience, risk, and cost.
• Lead site visits and coordinate cross-functional evaluation of prospective and existing venues.
• Negotiate pricing, space allocations, housing commitments, meals, operational terms, concessions, and other partnership requirements.
• Partner with Legal, Marketing, Admissions, Finance, Risk Management, and program leadership throughout contract development, review, approval, and renewal.
• Recommend venue selection, renewal, expansion, contingency, or replacement decisions based on performance and business needs.

Portfolio Strategy, Capacity, and Risk Management

• Develop and maintain an annual university and venue strategy aligned with enrollment, program calendars, budget, regional needs, and operational capacity.
• Identify capacity gaps, conflicting space needs, staffing concerns, and other operational risks; develop mitigation and contingency plans.
• Evaluate and approve requests involving over-enrollment, additional space, operational changes, or nonstandard venue requirements.
• Resolve complex issues involving housing, classroom assignments, room setups, shipping, staffing, contract interpretation, or venue service delivery.
• Provide leadership with clear recommendations, status updates, and risk assessments.

Team Leadership and Operational Governance

• Manage, coach, and develop the University & Venue Operations Coordinator based in Merida, Mexico.
• Set priorities, performance expectations, service standards, and escalation protocols for venue administration and operational support.
• Establish standardized processes, templates, checklists, training resources, and documentation to reduce dependence on individual institutional knowledge.
• Review dashboards, exception reports, and performance indicators rather than serving as the routine processor or reviewer of every transaction.
• Lead regular portfolio reviews and ensure responsibilities are clearly assigned across the venue team and internal stakeholders.
• Cross-train appropriate backup resources and promote continuity of operations during peak periods, absences, and transitions.

Budget, Reporting, and Continuous Improvement

• Support venue budgets, forecasts, cost comparisons, and variance analysis in partnership with Finance and program leadership.
• Review and approve material invoice discrepancies, nonstandard charges, and financial exceptions.
• Monitor partnership health, contract status, capacity, operational readiness, cost trends, and venue performance.
• Use data and stakeholder feedback to identify process improvements and strengthen service delivery.
• Maintain awareness of university operations trends, industry practices, regional venue changes, and emerging partnership opportunities

Qualifications:

• Proven experience in university relations, venue management, event operations, hospitality, contract management, or a related field; experience leading complex partner portfolios strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to build trusted relationships and communicate effectively with university leaders, venue partners, and cross-functional stakeholders.
• Experience supervising, coaching, or leading employees or shared-service support teams across locations or time zones.
• Strong negotiation, decision-making, problem-solving, and conflict-resolution skills.
• Ability to distinguish routine work from high-risk exceptions and make timely decisions in a fast-paced, seasonal environment.
• Strong project and portfolio management skills, with the ability to manage multiple venues, contracts, deadlines, and competing priorities.
• Financial acumen and comfort reviewing budgets, pricing, invoices, and cost variances.
• Data-driven mindset with proficiency in Microsoft Office; experience with Smartsheet, CRM platforms, contract systems, or similar operational tools preferred.
• Willingness to work with AI and identify process improvements.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to travel extensively during peak program operations (May–July), with overall travel averaging approximately 40–50% annually. Travel includes site visits, university partner meetings, industry conferences, contract negotiations, and on-site program support across the United States.

Education, Experience, and Training

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Hospitality, Event Management, Communications, Higher Education, or a related field preferred; equivalent relevant experience will be considered.
• Five or more years of progressive experience in university relations, venue operations, event management, hospitality, or partnership management preferred.
• Prior people-management or team-leadership experience preferred.

Work Perks:

• Comprehensive health benefits: medical, dental, vision, life, AD&D, accident, critical illness, disability insurance, FSA/HSA options with employer HSA contributions, and a generous 401(k) match.
• Generous paid time off including 11 paid company holidays, 25 PTO days the first year (prorated), 1 paid volunteer day, 4 mental health days, and bereavement
• Professional development support, including up to $5,250 annually for tuition reimbursement and up to $1,000 for certifications annually
• Opportunities for paid and discounted travel
• Flexible work schedule providing on-site, remote, and hybrid office opportunities
• Encouraged participation in a wide variety of Employee Resource Groups
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and wellness resources, including fitness centers at select locations
• Paid parental, caregiver, and disability leave
• Team Member Discount Program
• Engaging, collaborative, and fun work environment