Operations Manager

CENTERS, LLC is a professional management firm specializing in facility, operation, and program management for higher education. CENTERS' management approach is customized for each client yet retains our uniform quality. Our firm unites site staff with a centralized administrative team, each contributing to the firm's goals and client needs. The CENTERS team is innovative, entrepreneurial, trail-blazing, and ambitious for both CENTERS and our clients. Today, CENTERS provides management services for 14 clients.

Job Summary

The Operations Manager supports the events and operations of the John Hopkins Student Center, serving as the manager-on-duty. The Manager will assess the client's needs and event arrangements to facilitate the details of the client's events hosted in the Hopkins Student Center to meet customer service goals. They will oversee and manage the operations of the Hopkins Student Center, including the Information Desk for JHU affiliates and visitors. They will serve as a department liaison with all building occupants/tenants, building users, and university service departments/areas. The coordinator shall assist in identifying and addressing building maintenance/custodial issues, inventory controls, event setups, and logistics and will coordinate with Johns Hopkins Facilities & Real Estate (JHFRE) building manager to complete service requests. 

This position will work on-site at Johns Hopkins University Homewood Campus. JHU is recognized as America’s first research university, a place that has revolutionized higher education in the U.S. and continues to bring knowledge and discoveries to the world. JHU is opening its first-ever student center in August 2025.  The 148,000 gross square feet Hopkins Student Center (HSC) will transform the student experience by providing spaces, amenities, and opportunities for students who want to socialize, connect, create, and relax.  The building is designed to be a welcoming environment for all Hopkins students while extending an invitation to the community through events, programs, and dining opportunities.​ 

Essential Functions:

• Serve as the manager-on-duty during nights and weekends.
• Schedule staff and lead the operation of the Student Center Information Desk to provide resources and customer service to JHU affiliates and visitors.
• Assist with event planning, coordination, and execution for rental clients; Assist with site visits and serve as onsite event host as needed.
• Ensure event set-ups are completed in advance and before facility closing for the next day's schedule.
• Assist with the development and maintenance of emergency preparations for the safety and security of the facility. Complete assigned facility and equipment inspections.
• Provide direction to part-time staff on shift. Direct the HSC staff, colleagues, and vendors during event setup, administration, and tear-down.
• Coordinate and interact with other staff for event coordination, set up and tear-down, and adjustments to maintain customer service standards and successful event execution.
• Coordinate internal resources as needed and maintain positive working relationships with colleagues, partners, and vendors.
• Acts as liaison with catering and custodial night and weekend crew.
• Reference software to maintain up-to-date building schedules, event reservations, resource bookings, billing, and collections.
• Enforce policies and procedures for the Hopkins Student Center.
• Prepares and delivers required and required reports and data.

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree or 4 or more years of work experience required.
• At least two years working in hospitality, events, or operations required.
• Higher Education Experience preferred.
• Experience using event management software preferred.

Skills and Abilities:

• Proven track record of developing and maintaining strong, lasting relationships with relevant stakeholders.
• Ability to motivate and lead employees and hold them accountable.
• Ability to problem solve and make strong decisions with little to no supervision.
• Skilled customer service professional.

Work Environment

• Office, sporting, and non-sporting events environment
• Non-smoking environment
• Moderate to loud noise
• Maintain flexible hours for occasional events that may occur on weekends and evenings 

Physical Demands

• Consistently operates a computer and office equipment
• Working in an events environment 70% of the work day
• Must be able to traverse throughout the student center and campus. Regularly ascending/descending building levels and occasionally ladders or stools.
• Must be able to lift, move and set up items weighing as much as 50 lbs.
• Must be able to discuss, converse with, and exchange accurate information with arena patrons, staff, stakeholders, etc.

Other Duties 

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.