Conference and Program Manager, CES.

Department Information

Engineering a world of possibilities

The Conference and Program Manager serves as one of the principal interfaces with clients in the process of planning and executing all events hosted by Conference and Event Services (CES). Events include short courses, conferences, symposia, seminars, workshops, or other similar endeavors.

This role will coordinate and manage under minimal supervision multiple pre and post aspects of events including gathering financial information for budget development and reporting, marketing, logistics, communication with attendees, and provides an on-site leadership presence to ensure the event represents the quality of Colorado School of Mines (Mines). The Conference Manager will directly support Payne Institute events on campus.

This role will serve as the primary backup for the Summer Conference Manager. This position reports to the Assistant Director of Conferences, within the division of Finance, Administration and Operations. The Event Manager will supervise student assistants and/or RA/GA hired for specific event support.

For large-scale conferences and symposia, the Event Manager may serve in either a lead or support position as assigned by the Assistant Director.

This is a full-time, 12-month professional exempt position. Work hours will include weekdays, as well as some evenings and weekends with opportunities to work remote.

Description Of Job

Primary Duties

Event Logistics Management

• Collaborates with faculty and external clients on professional education proposals.
• Prepare and negotiate venues and purchases for the events, working with the Procurement Office as appropriate.
• Manage logistical arrangements for events including contracting for meeting rooms, audio/visual arrangements, food service, transportation, and printing.
• Prepare realistic and attainable event timelines and ensure clients are kept updated and on schedule.
• Collaborate with faculty and clients to Identify outcomes on program development for continuing/professional education.
• Supervise event logistics including on-site event set-up, event management, event breakdown and volunteer management. Provide assistance to exhibitors during all interaction with event venue operators. Manage the schedule and technical display changes needed throughout event.
• Ensure all aspects of the event venue are in optimal placement and condition for the participants experience.
• Validate attendance and create certificates of completion; maintain records of recipients of such certificates.
• Provide and supervise on-site check in and on-site registration services. Monitor venue throughout entire event. Act as concierge and be visible and approachable to answer attendee or presenter questions. Troubleshoot and resolve problems.
• Maintain an accurate data base and review for international compliance.
• Monitor and correspond to general shared inbox emails.
• Conduct after-event meetings with event organizer to solicit the organizer’s evaluation of the event and the support provided by CES. Prepare final report.

Event Systems Management

• Serve as the technical expert for event system management programs.
• Train users and independently configure the online document management system for an event’s requirements and monitor submissions. Export data to assist reviewers and event organizers in assigning documents/submitters to specific event sessions.
• Manage the online registration system and the internal registration/financial system to manage registrations and registration modifications, perform data imports/transfers, and manual entry of registration data. Manage development and transmission of registration confirmations. Maintain awareness of payments by wire transfer and checks. Ensure accurate enrollment/tuition statistics.
• Interpret and explain policies and procedures related to the registration process to potential attendees including cancellations, transfers, and substitutions.

Marketing and Communications

• Develop comprehensive timelines and marketing strategies (electronic, web, print, journal ads) for every client.
• Assistance in developing and executing a publicity/marketing campaign in conjunction with Marketing and Communications.
• Oversee production of promotional materials, graphics, and signage.
• Develop, communicate, and enforce author and session chair guidelines, deadlines, duties, etc. developed in conjunction with event organizers.

Budget Management

• Prepare, submit, and track any necessary Mines approval forms and ensure purchasing guidelines are followed.
• Create and maintain accurate financial records of attendees, vendors, and event organizers using departmental software applications.
• Pre-Approve expenditure to vendors, speakers, instructors, students. Analyze and approve refunds or discounts.
• Assist with final financial reconciliations, ensuring income and liabilities have been received and settled.
• Provide CES input on preparing budgets, projecting expenses, and determining most cost-effective ways to meet the event's goals. Serve as interface between event proposers and appropriate Vice Provosts in determining viability of new and continuous programs.

Training and Documentation Management

• Identify future training needs and create a curriculum to facilitate that training
• Search for gaps in training content and materials that need updating to generate higher productivity
• Create training materials and methods for all functions and software used by the CES event group

Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions Of Employment & Appeal Rights

Minimal Level of Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year institution of higher education (demonstrated and progressive experience in event management can be substituted for degree on a year for year basis)
• Two or more years of experience in event management
• Proficiency in event management software such as Cvent or EventsAir
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite
• Customer service experience with strong interpersonal, communication, and relationship-building skills

Preferred Level Of Education And Experience

• Four or more years event management experience
• Experience developing and managing event/conference budgets

Salary And Benefits

$65,000 - $67,000 annual salary rate

Mines takes into consideration a combination of candidate’s education, training and experience as well as the position’s scope and complexity, the discretion and latitude required in the role, work location, and external market and internal value when determining a salary level for potential new employees.

Colorado School of Mines offers a robust portfolio of benefits for all employees. For this role, that includes:

• Flexible health and dental care options
• Generous sick/vacation time: 13 paid holidays per year – including a week-long winter break for entire campus.
• Fully vested retirement plan on first day of employment, with generous employer contribution
• Tuition benefits (6 credits per year for employees, 50 percent discount for dependents)
• Free RTD Ecopass

All Mines employees also have access to discount programs through the State of Colorado and free tickets for Mines Athletics home games, as well as access to the state of the art Recreation Center (fitness classes and training, swimming pool and more) and equipment rentals through the Outdoor Rec Center . We are proud to have recently opened an on campus daycare center . For more details about benefits at Mines, visit mines.edu/human-resources/benefits .

How To Apply

Complete an online application (personal information, demographic information, veteran status) by visiting the Conference and Program Manager, CES posting.

• Candidates must be currently authorized to work in the United States. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.
• This posting may be used to fill more than one vacancy based on business needs.
• References will not be contacted until later in the selection process and you will be informed before that contact is made.

Application review will begin July 20, 2026. This posting will close July 19, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. and applications will not be reviewed after that date.

Successful completion of a background investigation is required for this position.

About Mines & Golden, CO

When the world looks for answers, the world looks to Mines.

Colorado School of Mines is a top-ranked public university solving the grand challenges facing our society, particularly those related to the Earth, energy and the environment. Founded in 1874 with specialties in mining and metallurgy, Mines’ scope and mission have continually expanded to meet the needs of industry and society.

Today, we are the No. 36 public university in the nation, recognized for our innovation and undergraduate teaching in science, technology engineering and math (U.S. News and World Report, 2025).

Mines graduates are change makers, boundary breakers and problem solvers. Since our earliest days, a Mines education has been and continues to be a transformational opportunity, with one of the strongest returns on investment out there for talented STEM students of all backgrounds.

At the same time, Mines faculty members are pushing their fields in new directions, whether that’s manufacturing, space resources, quantum engineering, carbon capture or more. Mines was recently classified as a R1 “Very High Activity” research institution by Carnegie, a notable feat for any university but particularly one of our size.

That size – roughly 8,200 undergraduate and graduate students – also translates to a close-knit campus community, where employees have opportunities to get involved in multiple ways, continued professional learning is valued and everyone can make an impact.

Community Alliance groups bring together employees for professional development, networking, and community involvement, and all Mines employees also have access to the wealth of activities happening every day on campus – nationally-renowned speakers, special events and Mines traditions like Engineering Days, just to name a few.

And don’t get us started on our hometown. We are located in the heart of Golden, Colorado --with its charming historic downtown and nearby hiking trails – and in close proximity to all that Denver and the Rocky Mountains have to offer. That includes the sunny, high-altitude climate and outstanding outdoor recreation opportunities that make the Denver area an ideal place to live, work and play.

Are you looking for an inspiring, mission-driven workplace where you can contribute to solving the world’s problems and educating the next generation of change makers? Are you an individual who values a community where our individual perspectives and experiences enrich the educational and work experience?

Look to Mines.

Additional Information And Reasonable Accommodation Requests

It is the intent of Mines to comply with the applicable requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act of 2008, and their implementation rules and regulations, in support of equal opportunities for qualified applicants with disabilities.

To meet this goal, Mines will make reasonable accommodations during the employment selection process and within our working environment.

If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran, you may request a reasonable accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to access job openings or apply for a job on our site as a result of your disability. You can request a reasonable accommodation by contacting our Human Resources team at hr@mines.edu or 303.273.3250 for assistance.

Successful completion of a background investigation is required for this position.

Equal Opportunity

Colorado School of Mines is committed to equal opportunity for all persons. Mines does not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, gender (including gender identity and gender expression), ancestry, creed, marital status, race, ethnicity, religion, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, genetic information, veteran status or current military service.

Further, Mines does not retaliate against community members for filing complaints regarding or implicating any of these protected statuses.

Mines’ commitment to nondiscrimination, equal opportunity and equal access is reflected in the administration of its policies, procedures, programs and activities and in its efforts to achieve a talented student body and workforce.

Through its policies, procedures and resources, Mines complies with federal law, Colorado state law, administrative regulations, executive orders and other legal requirements to prevent discrimination (including harassment or retaliation) within the Mines campus community and to address potential allegations of inequality or concerns for safety.