Senior Event and Production Manager

George Mason University Facilities & Campus Operations

Job Title: Senior Event and Production Manager

Job Category: Classified Staff

Job Type: Full-Time

Work Schedule: Full-time 1.0 FTE, 40 hours/week

Location: Arlington, VA

Workplace Type: Hybrid

Eligibility: Not eligible for visa sponsorship

Pay Band: 04

Salary: Salary commensurate with education and experience ($90,000)

Criminal Background Check: Yes

About the Department:

George Mason University Facilities ensures a quality physical environment that supports the universitys mission. We will be the technical and business experts of choice with the trust and confidence of our students, faculty, and staff.

Ready to start the New Year with a new position as a State employee of Virginia? We have a wonderful opportunity for you to work at our beautiful Arlington campus and become part of the George Mason University patriot team. Weve got the work. Now we need an additional team member to contribute to our busy environment. We want someone reliable, takes pride in their work, and will make a noticeable contribution to the educational facilities at George Mason.

Job Summary:

George Mason University is seeking a Senior Event and Production Manager to provide strategic leadership and operational oversight for all event production and execution services at Mason Square campus. This role is responsible for elevating the quality, consistency, and impact of events, partnering closely with university leadership, sponsors, and external stakeholders to align event experiences with institutional objectives and brand standards.

Responsibilities:

• Strategic Event Production Leadership
• Executive Event Management
• Employee Management

Strategic Event Production Leadership:

• Provides leadership and oversight of an expanded production team ensuring seamless execution of live and hybrid events, including Presidential-level and VIP events with all conferencing and event venues within Mason Square.
• Serves as senior advisor and production lead for executive-level stakeholders, offering end-to-end oversight of the event production strategy, timelines, and execution plans.
• Builds and sustains a collaborative network of university stakeholders and external partners to support shared objectives and ensure cohesive campus-wide execution.

Executive Event Management:

• Serves as the campus lead for all executive-level conferences, Presidential-level events, and VIP events, ensuring exceptional execution in production and client experience.
• Designs and oversees comprehensive event production plans and timelines, advising clients on best practices, including run-of-show space configurations and technology deployment.
• Confirms client communications and templates, articulate standard timelines, and ensure adherence to pre-defined schedule targets.

Employee Management:

• Drives strategic direction and talent development for full-time and part-time staff, setting clear performance goals, assessing progress, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
• Designs and implements a robust training program, ensuring subordinates deliver effective training on equipment operation, venue policies, and resource management.
• Develops strategic staffing plans, proactively forecasts personnel needs and budget requirements, to align with operational goals and future growth.

Required Qualifications:

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Supervision of full-time employees and significant practical experience (7 years preferred) in the event management and production industry, conference facilities, theater, concerts, and touring convention centers, and other event facilities.
• Experience with personnel recruitment, employee scheduling, timesheet approval, employee development planning, and training.
• Significant experience with complex audiovisual systems, including live streaming technologies.
• Demonstrated experience with vendor management.
• Demonstrated knowledge of event production, AV technical direction, staging, and venue management.
• Demonstrated knowledge of audiovisual systems and live streaming technologies.
• Demonstrated knowledge of equipment replacement cycles and industry trends for event innovation.
• Demonstrated knowledge of permitting, crowd management, fire codes, health and safety regulations, and emergency response protocols, especially for VIP guests.
• Demonstrated knowledge of logistics, timelines, budgeting, and coordination for various events.
• Skill in planning and executing logistics across multiple locations with efficient onsite coordination and issue resolution.
• Skill in supervising and mentoring professional and wage staff in event production and execution.
• Skill in providing excellent customer service.
• Skill in prioritizing and multitasking, managing multiple tasks and meeting competing deadlines.
• Skill in ensuring flawless execution of logistics.
• Skill in aligning event operations with organizational goals.
• Skill in bringing fresh ideas to event formats and production techniques, evaluating industry trends for innovation.
• Skill in working seamlessly across departments.
• Skill in empowering others while maintaining accountability and oversight.
• Ability to adapt quickly to changes and lead the team through last-minute adjustments.
• Ability to be adaptable to changing circumstances.
• Ability to engage confidently with senior leadership and VIP guests.
• Ability to commit to creating exceptional guest experiences.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelors degree in a related field.
• Any audiovisual licenses and computer certifications.
• Significant experience in higher education or related experience in an association, corporate, or industry-related environment.
• Experience using 25-Live and Social Tables software.
• Knowledge of the local market.
• Ability to work with multiple units in a higher education setting.

Instructions to Applicants:

For full consideration, applicants must apply for Senior Event and Production Manager at https://jobs.gmu.edu. Complete and submit the online application, including three professional references with contact information, and provide a Cover Letter and Resume for review.

Posting Open Date: February 27, 2026

For Full Consideration Apply by: March 13, 2026

Open Until Filled: Yes