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Posted June 23, 2026

External & University Events Manager

Portland State University
Portland, Oregon, United States 97201 Full Time
Reference: 285414422

Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled


Portland State University


Position Details
Position Details

Proposed Start Date 08/03/2026
Classification Title Facilities / Operations
Rank N - No Rank
Working Title External & University Events Manager
Department 670202 - AUX SMC Office
Position Number D91181
Representation UU - Unclassified Unrepresented
Renewable Renewable
End date, if applicable
Position FTE 1.0
Tenure Status N - not applicable


Position Summary

Brief Description of PSU/School/Dept
Portland State University is Oregon’s most affordable public research university, located in the heart of one of America’s most dynamic cities. Our mission to “let knowledge serve the city” reflects our dedication to turning ideas into action — in Portland and around the world. The city is our campus, giving students unmatched access to career connections, a vibrant cultural scene and hands-on learning experiences with hundreds of community partners.
More than 20,000 students from all backgrounds bring diverse perspectives to our classrooms and campus life, from the tree-lined Park Blocks to the bustling Urban Plaza and state-of-the-art science labs. We are proud of our world-class faculty, groundbreaking research and international reputation for excellence in sustainability, community engagement and innovation.
Position Summary
The External & University Events Manager is responsible for executing sales strategies across the (CESU) department. The manager will focus on cultivating external event bookings across a venue portfolio inclusive of: Smith Union, VP Arena, Hoffmann Hall, General Pool Classrooms and outdoor spaces. The Manager will also coordinate and oversee a variety of high-profile, mission-critical PSU-wide events.

This position provides oversight of revenue-generating accounts including:
  • Internal student organization events/space rentals
  • PSU departmental events/space rentals
  • External and partnership events/space rentals.


The position will also provide oversight of the CESU department and office staff. The Manager maintains updated Facility Use Procedures, generates, builds and issues external facility use contracts, and manages events on the PSU Campus. This position will serve as the primary administrator of PSU’s Event Management and Scheduling system 25-Live, and is the lead scheduling authority for the department. The manager provides oversight and contributes to the annual budget process by focusing on revenue generating events while making quarterly and year-end revenue projections. This position serves to provide key insight into event management and response across campus, serving as a prominent role within numerous committees, such as the Protest Expression Advisory Team (PEAT), the Incident Management Team (IMT) and others, communicating in real time with university officials regarding potential event related disturbances or impacts to University operations, assets, and reputation.

The External & University Events Manager reports to the Director of Campus Events and Student Union.

This is a permanent full-time position within an innovative team-oriented environment located in downtown Portland, and includes a comprehensive benefits package with paid time off including paid sick time, paid holidays and paid vacation days, 95% employer-funded premium healthcare, 100% employer-funded retirement plans, and 70% off of tuition for the employee, dependent children, and your spouse or domestic partner.
Minimum Qualifications
  • Bachelor’s degree and 3 years experience, including supervisory
  • 1–2 years of office coordination experience, including 2 years in a lead capacity managing and organizing business documentation.
  • 2 years of experience planning and coordinating events or conferences, including enforcing established facility use protocols and procedures.
  • 1-2 years of experience in a customer service environment.
  • Demonstrated effective communication and service skills within a diverse customer base.
  • Successful completion of a background check.
Preferred Qualifications
  • 3-5 years experience in a Higher Education environment
  • 3-5 years experience in a hospitality or event planning environment.
  • Budget or financial experience as it pertains to quarterly reporting, expenses and revenue projections for events.
  • 3-5 years experience coordinating or managing events
  • Proficient use of event scheduling software such as 25-Live Event Management System and/or Social Tables event floor plan diagram software
  • Experience supervising and mentoring professional staff and student employees
  • Knowledge of ingress/egress procedures, crowd management, and fire marshal regulations
  • Knowledge of navigating certificates of insurance ensuring compliance with university mandated liability limits and working with the PSU Risk Management team.
Key Cultural Competencies
  • Create an environment that acknowledges, encourages, and celebrates differences.
  • Function and communicate effectively and respectfully within the context of varying beliefs, behaviors, orientations, identities, and cultural backgrounds.
  • Seek opportunities to gain experience working and collaborating in diverse, multicultural, and inclusive settings with a willingness to change for continual improvement.
  • Adhere to all of PSU’s policies including the policies on Prohibited Discrimination & Harassment and the Professional Standards of Conduct.
Environmental Stewardship
Contributes to a culture of environmental stewardship, practices resource conservation, and actively works toward achieving long-term sustainability goals.
Work Days/Hours 40 hours per week, schedule to be determined
Total Compensation Range & Benefits Statement
The starting annual salary rate for this position will be between $61,620 and $66,180. The starting salary will be dependent upon the knowledge, experience, skills and abilities of the chosen candidate, the budget of the hiring department, and approval from HR.

Portland State has an excellent benefits package including 95% employer-paid health insurance premiums (employees and eligible dependents) and significantly reduced tuition rates for employees and eligible dependents at any of the Oregon Public Universities. After completing six full months employees are eligible to the employer-paid pension program in addition to two voluntary retirement programs. Wellness options include access to the PSU Rec Center at a reduced rate and free wellness programs.
For a comprehensive view of all PSU benefits, visit the PSU Total Compensation Calculator.


Search Details

Posting Close Date
Projected Close Date for Posting Open Until Finalists Identified
Application screening begins
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Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

  1. * Please describe how your professional history and experience has provided you with the skills needed to be a successful event planner in a campus environment.

    (Open Ended Question)

  2. * This role is Portland State’s connection to event business from outside the campus. What are some of the ways you cultivate leads AND manage their retention?

    (Open Ended Question)

  3. * What technology skills – for example, industry scheduling and operation tools — are you most comfortable with? What’s an example of how you have made use of them?

    (Open Ended Question)

  4. * How did you first find out about this position?
    • PSU Website
    • Indeed.com
    • HERCJobs
    • Urban League of Portland
    • Hispanic Metropolitan Chamber
    • Oregon Employment Department
    • Social Media
    • Person Referral
    • Career Builder
    • Glass Door
    • Other - Please describe in the next Question
  5. If you selected Other, please describe.

    (Open Ended Question)



Applicant Documents
Required Documents
  1. Resume
  2. Cover Letter
  3. Professional References
Optional Documents




    Equal employment opportunity, including veterans and individuals with disabilities.

    PI285414422

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