Venue Services Manager

University Overview

The University of Pennsylvania, the largest private employer in Philadelphia, is a world‑renowned leader in education, research, and innovation. This historic, Ivy League school consistently ranks among the top 10 universities in the annual U.S. News & World Report survey. Penn has 12 highly‑regarded schools that provide opportunities for undergraduate, graduate and continuing education, all influenced by Penn’s distinctive interdisciplinary approach to scholarship and learning.

As an employer Penn has been ranked nationally on many occasions with the most recent award from Forbes who named Penn one of America’s Best Large Employers in 2023.

Penn offers a unique working environment within the city of Philadelphia. The University is situated on a beautiful urban campus, with easy access to a range of educational, cultural, and recreational activities. With its historical significance and landmarks, lively cultural offerings, and wide variety of atmospheres, Philadelphia is the perfect place to call home for work and play.

The University offers a competitive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare and tuition benefits for employees and their families, generous retirement benefits, a wide variety of professional development opportunities, supportive work and family benefits, a wealth of health and wellness programs and resources, and much more.

Venue Services Manager

Coordinator, Program

The Venue Services Manager is responsible for the successful coordination and implementation of events in university partner venues, primarily Irvine Auditorium. This position works with the University Life Space & Events team and their clients to understand program‑related and stakeholder goals, and to implement the events in concert with University Life staff, Penn Live Arts operations staff, external vendors, and other university staff through the lens of budget sustainability and operational efficiency.

The primary focus of this role is to provide onsite hands‑on frontline production management and operations coordination for all programming within Irvine Auditorium or other assigned events and venues.

• Work with university partners & stakeholders to identify schedule, staffing, & technical needs based on event requirements.
• Communicate & coordinate staffing through appropriate channels as event type and venue warrant.
• Communicate & coordinate AV & technical needs through appropriate channels as event type and venue warrant.
• Coordinate facility access & venue schedule with clients, staff, & vendors.
• Work with appropriate vendors to coordinate & secure rental equipment & stage resources outside of venue inventory.
• Manage event schedules, staffing, resources, and billing in event management database, currently Momentus.
• Serve as liaison between University Life Space & Events and Penn Live Arts.
• Cultivate & maintain a positive working relationship with all staff, being mindful of union agreements & jurisdictions.
• Other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

• Bachelor's degree and 2 to 3 years of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience is required.
• A degree preferably in technical theatre or stage management, plus 3-5 years of related experience or equivalent combination of education and experience preferred.
• Management experience in technical production, events management, and personnel management, plus expertise and experience in some & familiarity in all of the following technical areas: power and lighting, audio (digital and analog), electronics and theatrical computer systems, digital video production and live streaming, video and projections, rigging, theatre safety, and building maintenance.
• Excellent communication skills, both oral and written.
• Outstanding problem-solving skills, with a documented history of implementing new techniques and systems to improve accuracy and workflow.
• A high level of proficiency in Microsoft O365 is required; it is preferred if the candidate is proficient in Vectorworks, and QLab.
• Knowledge of and/or ability to learn and master new software such…