Event Operations Manager
Work type: On Campus
Location: Normal, Illinois
Division Name: Academic Affairs
Department: Educational Administration & Foundations
Job Summary
The Illinois Center for Specialized Professional Support (ICSPS) is excited to welcome a dynamic, detail driven, and highly organized professional to our team. If you thrive in a fast paced environment, take pride in clear communication, and love bringing events to life, we want to meet you!
As our Event Operations Manager, you’ll play a key role in ensuring the success of professional development events across Illinois. This is a fantastic opportunity for someone who is proactive, positive, and dedicated to creating seamless experiences for partners and participants statewide.
What You’ll Do
In this essential role, you will:
- Partner with venues across Illinois to secure high-quality spaces for our meetings and events
- Transcribe meetings and capture clear, actionable notes
- Support web content updates and ensure information on ICSPS websites remains current
- Edit and polish publications, resources, and other materials used for statewide professional learning
- Collaborate closely with ICSPS leadership and staff while maintaining the ability to work independently
- Travel across Illinois to ICSPS-sponsored events
We operate with professionalism, precision, and purpose and we’re looking for someone who embodies those same values.
What We Offer
- A meaningful role supporting educational and workforce initiatives across Illinois
- A collaborative team that values communication, creativity, and continuous improvement
- Flexibility! A hybrid and flexible schedule is available after a 6 month probationary period
- Opportunities to grow your skills in event management, communications, and digital content
If you're ready to make an impact, bring your organizational talents to a mission-driven team and help elevate professional learning experiences statewide. ICSPS is ready for you.
Additional Information
University Benefit Highlights:
- Insurance benefits, including health, dental, vision, and life
- Retirement and supplemental retirement planning options
- Tuition waiver benefits available to staff as well as their eligible dependents
- Paid holiday/administrative closures during Thanksgiving and Winter Breaks
- Paid benefit time
For more University Benefit information: https://hr.illinoisstate.edu/benefits/
Information regarding eligibility for participation in the State Universities Retirement System and the State of Illinois Group Insurance program can be reviewed here https://hr.illinoisstate.edu/benefits/insurance/
Salary Rate / Pay Rate
$19.73 - $20.38 per hour
Required Qualifications
- High school graduation or equivalent
- Twenty-four (24) months of work experience comparable to the third level of this series. This work includes performing a wide variety of office support tasks, which require the use of judgment and initiative and the ability to operate computer systems, using word processing, database, and software packages. Knowledge of the organization, programs, practices, and procedures of a department/unit is central to the performance of the duties.
Preferred Qualifications
- Associate degree or equivalent work experience.
- Excellent communication skills, verbal and written.
- Proven customer service skills and the ability to work with a diverse constituency.
- Possession of strong computer skills, including Microsoft Word and Excel. Experience using Microsoft Office Suite, Microsoft Teams, and MachForm.
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of a team.
- Ability to multitask and self-manage assigned projects and daily tasks in an environment with shifting priorities.
- Ability to work a flexible schedule, including traveling, and possessing a valid driver's license.
- Three to five years of relevant work experience.
- Knowledge of WordPress and or Joomla.
- Knowledge of OMA.
Work Hours
8:00am-4:30pm Monday through Friday; possible travel throughout the state for event support
Functional Expectations
Must be able to complete the following with or without a reasonable accommodation:
- Effectively communicate on a daily basis.
- Move about in various locations on and off campus as needed to complete day-to-day work.
Proposed Starting Date
February 2026
Required Applicant Documents
Cover Letter
Please Note: These documents are required to be submitted online in order to complete the application process. Please have these documents ready prior to clicking on "Apply"
Optional Applicant Documents
Transcripts - See Special Instructions to Applicants for additional options
Certification of Retirement Annuity
Please Note: These documents may be submitted online in order to complete the application process. Please have these documents ready prior to clicking on "Apply"
Special Instructions for Applicants
Applicants for this position must be authorized to work in the U.S. without ISU sponsorship. Sponsorship for work authorization will not be considered for this position.
Please fully complete the entire application including, but not limited to, the education and work history portions. Be specific on your work history, including employment dates (if part-time you must list the number of work hours) and duties for all positions held. Applicable part-time work experience will be considered toward qualifying for this position; however, it will be converted to a full-time equivalency to determine combined length of experience. Please do not put "see resume" in the duties and responsibilities section of the work history. This will be considered an incomplete application and incomplete applications will not be considered.
To be eligible for Veteran's Preference points on the exam, appropriate military service documentation such as a DD-214 must be submitted prior to the application deadline. Military service documentation may be emailed, faxed, or mailed to Human Resources by the application deadline:
Email: kgshelt@ilstu.edu
Fax: 309.438.0011, Attn: Kira Shelton
Address: Illinois State University
Human Resources
Campus Box 1300
Normal, IL 61790-1300
The Civil Service examination for this classification is based on your application materials and responses to the supplemental questions. No participation other than submission of applicant materials is required from applicants that qualify to take the exam. If you meet the minimum required qualifications for this position, you will receive a score calculated based on your education and experience, and your name will be placed on the active employment register by exam score. After the application deadline, the names within the top three scores will be referred to the department for interview.
Illinois State University is authorized to do business within the State of Illinois. All work under this appointment is required to be performed from within the State of Illinois.
This position is represented by AFSCME Local 3236-Clericals.
Contact Information for Applicants
Kira Shelton
Human Resources
kgshelt@ilstu.edu
(309) 438-2120
Important Information for Applicants
This position is subject to a criminal background investigation and if applicable, an employment history review, based on University Policy 3.1.30 and any offer of employment is contingent upon you passing a satisfactory criminal background investigation and/or an employment history review. You may not begin work until the criminal background investigation results have been received and cleared by Human Resources.
Illinois State University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.
If you are an individual with a disability and need a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or other state or federal law you may request an accommodation by contacting the Office of Equal Opportunity and Access at (309) 438-3383. The Office of Equal Opportunity and Access will hold any confidential information you provide in confidence.
If you are having difficulty accessing the system, please call Human Resources at (309) 438-8311.