Venue Manager Jobs in Reston, VA (NOW HIRING)

Employer will not sponsor for employment Visa status

I. JOB OVERVIEW

Job Description Summary:

The George Washington University was founded in 1821 in response to a vision that the nation’s foremost founder spelled out in his last will and testament. He dreamed of a university that would educate the citizen leaders of the new nation he had done so much to create. Today the university that bears his name is different in many ways from what George Washington could have imagined. He could not have imagined the sheer size of its enrollment, now 26,000 students, including women as well as men from all 50 states and more than 100 countries. Nor could he have envisioned a university with multiple campuses and 14 schools; with more than 120 departments and 95 centers and institutes; with a half-million-square foot science and engineering building; with a school of public health, located on a circle that bears his name; or with a museum housing a world-class collection of textiles and the history of the great capital city he had only begun to plan. GW Venues (a department in the Division of Safety and Operations) produces and manages events on the Foggy Bottom Campus. We provide services to a broad spectrum of clients both in the community and outside of the community. We provide spaces for our students, faculty, staff and guests to host events, meetings and gatherings. We highlight university traditions, produce memorable guest speaker events and coordinate many other activities unique to our campus with local, national and international acclaim. Our record of excellence, support and cooperation is one that we are proud of.

GW Venues is seeking a Venue Manager. The position will report to the Senior Associate Director of Venues, who serves as the strategic lead for sponsored and external events booked at the University Student Center (USC). The Venue Manager is responsible for supporting the planning, coordination, and execution of events hosted by student organizations, university departments, and external clients across campus venues. This role serves as a key point of contact for all event logistics, providing operational oversight before, during, and after events to ensure smooth execution, compliance with university policies, and exceptional client experiences.

• Serves as a Venue Manager for sponsored and external events at USC and other specialty venues on campus, overseeing assigned events from the planning stage through live execution.
• Serves as the primary liaison between clients, contractors, caterers, administrators, and university partners to manage all logistical aspects of events.
• Partners with event hosts to plan and execute campus events while actively enforcing all university compliance policies and event safety guidelines.
• Works with clients to determine room setups and create/update diagrams for each event.
• Provides guidance to clients regarding third-party vendors for additional services (e.g., décor, entertainment, rentals).
• Provides clients with cost proposals and ensure cost-effective delivery of services.
• Coordinates with shared services and partner departments across campus (e.g., Facilities, Campus Safety, GWPD , AV, Housekeeping, USC staff, etc.) to execute event logistics, including room setup, vendor/attendee access, staffing and crowd management to ensure all operational needs are addressed.
• Conducts pre-event walk-throughs with clients, vendors, and security to familiarize them with the venue.
• Supervises event onsite, acting as the primary point of contact for troubleshooting and last-minute adjustments.
• Conduct post-event walkthroughs with clients to ensure the venue, furniture, and equipment are returned in their original condition, documenting any discrepancies or maintenance issues that require resolution.
• Participate in weekly internal and cross-functional meetings to align on upcoming event requirements, track operational statuses, and ensure seamless departmental coordination.
• Create detailed event orders—including comprehensive timelines, setup logistics, furniture and equipment needs, and labor requirements—to clearly communicate operational expectations and final costs to the client.
• Create and send all appropriate reports in a timely manner.
• Maintain accurate records of event details, incidents, and client feedback for continuous improvement.
• Assist with distribution and analysis of post-event evaluation surveys to identify actionable areas for venue and service improvement.
• Assist in the development and enforcement of venue usage policies, event safety procedures, and scheduling protocols on campus.
• Ensure all events meet university standards for safety, accessibility, and operational excellence.
• Responsive to after-hours calls from associates and other colleagues.
• The position is based at GW’s Foggy Bottom Campus in Washington, DC. The incumbent may perform other related duties as assigned. The omission of specific duties does not preclude the supervisor from assigning duties that are logically related to the position.

Minimum Qualifications:

Qualified candidates will hold a Bachelor’s degree in an appropriate area of specialization. Degree must be conferred by the start date of the position. Degree requirements may be substituted with an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.

Additional Required Licenses/Certifications/Posting Specific Minimum Qualifications:

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working at a university, entertainment or hotel venue is preferred
• Exceptional attention to detail

This position desires an individual with the following characteristics:

• Commitment to GW’s values
• Intellectual, professional and a person of integrity
• Honest, with the highest ethical standards
• Passionate, collaborative, strategic, and smart with a hands‑on, roll‑up‑the‑sleeves orientation
• Ability to work independently. Self‑starter; hard‑worker. Takes the initiative; very high energy
• Personally accountable. Assumes ownership, control, and accountability for all areas of responsibility and commitments made to others
• Sincere, open, and direct communicator. Puts organizational interests above self‑interests and is comfortable expressing candid opinions
• Highest levels of responsiveness
• Combination of strong intellect that is combined with a practical and realistic common sense understanding of how to get things done
• Ability to demonstrate initiative, a strong desire to succeed and exert extraordinary effort
• Ability to work in a fast‑paced, high‑growth, entrepreneurial environment
• Ability to work with faculty and staff in a respectful way
• Establish trust and credibility with institutional leadership and across the University
• Seeks win-win solutions to help foster continued integration and collaboration

GW offers a comprehensive benefit package that includes medical, dental, vision, life & disability insurance, time off & leave, retirement savings, tuition, well‑being and various voluntary benefits. For program details and eligibility, please visit https://hr.gwu.edu/benefits-programs.

II. JOB DETAILS

Campus Location:

Campus Location: Foggy Bottom, Washington, D.C.

College/School/Department:

College/School/Department: Division of Safety and Operation

Family

Family Safety and Facilities

Sub-Family

Sub-Family Events

Stream

Level

Level Level 1

Full-Time/Part-Time:

Full-Time/Part-Time: Full-Time

Hours Per Week: 40

Work Schedule:

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:30 am - 5 pm, with flexibility to work nights and/or weekends

Will this job require the employee to work on site?

Will this job require the employee to work on site? Yes

Employee Onsite Status

Employee Onsite Status Hybrid

Telework:

Telework: Yes

Required Background Check:

Required Background Check: Criminal History Screening, Education/Degree/Certifications Verification, Social Security Number Trace, and Sex Offender Registry Search

Special Instructions to Applicants:

Employer will not sponsor for employment Visa status

Internal Applicants Only?

Internal Applicants Only? No

Posting Number:

Posting Number: S014436

Job Open Date:

Job Open Date: 08/28/2026

Job Close Date:

If temporary, grant funded, Sponsored Project funded or limited term appointment, position funded until:

Background Screening Successful Completion of a Background Screening will be required as a condition of hire.

EEO Statement:

The university is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer that does not unlawfully discriminate in any of its programs or activities on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or on any other basis prohibited by applicable law.

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

• * Are you currently employed with The George Washington University?
  • No
  • Yes
• * For current GW employees, have you completed your Introductory Employment Period (IEP)? (As a reminder,employees in their IEP are not eligible to apply for other internal university staff and research positions until the IEP is complete.)
  • Yes, IEP complete
  • No, still in IEP
  • N/a - not a current GW employee
• * What is your expected salary range?

  (Open Ended Question)

• Resume
• Cover Letter

2013 H Street, NW, 3rd Floor Washington, DC 20006