Working Title: Coordinator of Operations - Festival Conference and Student Center

State Role Title: Program Administration Specialist I

Position Type: Full-time Staff (Classified)

Position Status: Full-Time

FLSA Status: Non-exempt: Eligible for Overtime

College/Division: Student Life and Involvement

Department: 300076 - Madison Union

Pay Band: 4

Pay Rate: Pay Range

Specify Range or Amount: $42,000 - $45,000 

Is this a JMU only position? No

Is this a grant-funded position? No

Is this a Conflict of Interest designated position? No

Beginning Review Date: 03/13/2026

About JMU:

At James Madison University (JMU), we’re more than just a publicly funded institution — we’re a vibrant, welcoming community located on a stunning campus where innovation, collaboration, and personal growth thrive. Our mission is to prepare students for a bright future, and we believe that starts with supporting the people who make it all possible: our employees.

Why Work at JMU?
We offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your professional journey and personal wellbeing:
• Generous Leave: Enjoy paid vacation, sick leave, parental leave, community service leave, and 19 paid holidays annually.
• Comprehensive Health Coverage: Access high-quality health insurance options that fit your needs.
• Retirement Options: Plan for your future with retirement benefits through the Virginia Retirement System.
• Employee Well-Being: Our Balanced Dukes program promotes wellness and work-life integration through resources, events, and support.
• Tuition Waiver Program: Advance your education with our tuition waiver program for undergraduate and graduate courses taken at JMU.

At JMU, we believe in Being the Change — and that starts with creating an environment where you can grow, contribute meaningfully, and feel supported every step of the way.

Discover what makes JMU a great place to work: bit.ly/JMUEmployment

General Information:

Facilities & Events Team in Student Life is currently seeking applicants for a full-time position in the Festival Conference and Student Center. This position will oversee student staff to support scheduled events and maintain building operations within the Festival and contributing member of the department of Student Life. Serve as the primary backup to Building Operations Manager when unavailable. This position serves as a campus security authority under the Jean Cleary Campus Safety Act.

The Division of Student Affairs includes University Career Center, Center for Multicultural Student Services, Community Engagement and Volunteer Center, Counseling Center, Dean of Students, Disability Services, Student Accountability & Restorative Practices, Sexual Orientation, Orientation & Transition, Residence Life, Student Life, University Health Center, University Recreation, and Well Dukes. The division is an integral part of the campus community and works collaboratively with the other divisions of the university in supporting the mission, vision, and values of the university. Successful candidates will embody the values of Student Affairs at James Madison University and will infuse these values in their day-to-day practice.

Student Affairs Values:
Focusing on Students
Leading Courageously
Transcending Boundaries
Creating Belonging
Embracing Innovation and Change
Honoring and Valuing Our Staff
Prioritizing Health and Well-Being

Duties and Responsibilities:

Supervision

• Provides effective supervision of students to include hiring, training, evaluating, scheduling, and payroll.
• Focus on student development and engagement for student employees.
• Supervising staff will require flexible, event-driven scheduling and be responsible for building operations, including outside of normal business hours.
• Students should have a clear understanding of the expectation that they will provide quality customer service and be available before, during, and after events.
• Submit payroll to Program Support Specialist in a timely manner.
• Complete all paperwork necessary for students to begin working according to state and federal guidelines.
• Collaborate with other Facility & Event team student supervisors to administer student training for central issues affecting all student staff and/or all facilities.
• Develop skill sets and work-life experiences that student employees can use for a future career.
• Provide regular evaluations and learning opportunities.

Passive Programming

• Implement passive programming, (i.e. billiards, ping pong, study space, televised sports programming, etc.) within facilities, monitoring necessary equipment and technical output where needed. Partner with Residence Life staff in adjacent facilities to enhance programming and expand engagement opportunities for East Campus.
• Lead student staff in maintaining and enhancing the facility’s social media presence.

Event Services

• Supervises the provision of event services to include all physical and audio/visual set-ups in the Festival Conference and Student Center.
• Adherence to event contract specifications, coordinating event-related housekeeping requirements, and troubleshooting technical problems.
• Administer process for issuing keys to student organizations for scheduled east campus classroom use.
• Occasionally perform duties in the absence of staff, during peak demand for services, or for high-profile events.
• Meets with customers and collaborates with the scheduler, catering, and west campus facility service providers to establish operational
• event contract specifications.

Constituent Relationships

• Serve as a key support to the Operations Manager by proactively maintaining strong constituent relationships and acting as the secondary point of contact for communicating urgent, safety related, or operational building and event information to visitors and event hosts.
• Ensure timely, accurate, and clear distribution of notifications to support continuity of operations and enhance the overall visitor experience.

Facilities Management

• Serve as the primary backup to the Operations Manager in overseeing daily operations of the Festival Conference and Student Center, including facility opening and closing procedures, key control for student staff, inspection of all reservable spaces, and initiation of work requests for maintenance needs.
• Support timely issue resolution by processing work orders and communicating emergencies to Work Control as needed.
• Collaborate with IT to ensure the facility’s website remains accurate and up to date.

Equipment

• Serve as the primary backup to the Operations Manager in supporting the maintenance and operation of all audio/visual systems, including overseeing equipment use, storage, upkeep, and upgrades. Operate, troubleshoot, and provide onsite technical support for A/V systems as needed.
• Collaborate closely with the Student Life AV and Technology Specialist by coordinating training, providing guidance, and fostering connections with student employees to ensure consistent operational excellence.
  
  
• Participate in University Committee Work and Professional Development 20 hours annually.
• Regular attendance at committee meetings and staff meetings.
• Attendance at professional development opportunities, including JMU Talent Development and Human Resources seminars as well as
• professional conferences.

Qualifications:

Required:

• Supervisory skills
• Ability to manage multiple tasks at one time
• Customer service background with strong interpersonal communication skills
• Organization skills
• Event operations experience
• Understanding of and experience with computer platforms such as Microsoft Office suite
• General knowledge of Audio Visual and other technology.
• Some experience working with college-aged students

Additional Considerations:

• General knowledge of using a space management online platform (e.g.. EMS, 25Live-CollegeNet, etc.)
• Quantitative reasoning
• Proficiency in articulating ideas clearly and effectively in both written and spoken formats
• Strong ethical reasoning

Additional Posting Information:

Conditions of Employment:  

Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a criminal background check.

E-Verify Notice: After accepting employment, new hires are required to complete an I-9 form and present documentation of their identity and eligibility to work in the United States. James Madison University uses the E-Verify system to confirm identity and work authorization.

EEO Statement:

James Madison University is committed to creating and supporting a diverse and inclusive work and educational community that is free of all forms of discrimination. This institution does not tolerate discrimination or harassment on the basis of age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, genetic information, national origin, parental status, political affiliation, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation or veteran status.

We promote access, inclusion and diversity for all students, faculty, staff, constituents and programs, believing that these qualities are foundational components of an outstanding education in keeping with our mission. The university is interested in candidates whose experience and qualifications support an ongoing commitment to this core quality.

Anyone having questions concerning discrimination should contact the Office for Equal Opportunity: (540) 568-6991.

Reasonable Accommodation:

If you are an individual with a disability and need assistance searching or applying for jobs please contact us at (540) 568-3597 or jobs@jmu.edu. You may also visit the JMU Human Resource Office, located at 752 Ott Street, Harrisonburg, VA 22807 and we will be happy to assist you.