Manager, University Relations & Venue Operations

Company Introduction WorldStrides is the global leader in educational travel and experiential learning. The company was founded in 1967 to provide middle school travel programs to Washington, D.C. and has grown to provide a wide range of programs for more than half a million students annually to over 100 countries around the world. WorldStrides offers experiential learning programs in educational travel, performing arts, language immersion, career exploration, service-learning, study abroad, and sports. Each of these experiences helps students to see beyond the classroom and to see the world – and themselves – in new ways. Job Description: The Manager, University Relations & Venue Operations leads strategic relationships with university and venue partners that support WorldStrides programs. This role owns partnership development, venue sourcing, negotiation, operational decision-making, risk escalation, and the overall performance of the K-12 Individual Programs & Events university portfolio. The Manager also supervises the Mexico-based University & Venue Operations Coordinator and establishes the systems, priorities, and service standards that enable reliable execution across contracts, housing, space assignments, invoices, shipments, and other venue deliverables. Job Responsibilities: University and Venue Partnership Management Serve as the primary relationship owner for assigned universities, colleges, schools, and other host venues. Build and maintain collaborative, year-round partnerships with campus event teams, housing and dining departments, facilities, academic contacts, and senior venue stakeholders. Lead renewal conversations, partnership reviews, and strategic planning discussions to strengthen long-term relationships and support program growth. Represent WorldStrides during site visits, campus meetings, industry conferences, and other partner engagements. Address sensitive relationship matters, venue performance concerns, and escalations that require judgment or negotiation. Venue Sourcing, Evaluation, and Contracting Identify and evaluate prospective host venues based on program requirements, geography, capacity, housing, classroom and meeting space, dining, accessibility, participant experience, risk, and cost. Lead site visits and coordinate cross-functional evaluation of prospective and existing venues. Negotiate pricing, space allocations, housing commitments, meals, operational terms, concessions, and other partnership requirements. Partner with Legal, Marketing, Admissions, Finance, Risk Management, and program leadership throughout contract development, review, approval, and renewal. Recommend venue selection, renewal, expansion, contingency, or replacement decisions based on performance and business needs. Portfolio Strategy, Capacity, and Risk Management Develop and maintain an annual university and venue strategy aligned with enrollment, program calendars, budget, regional needs, and operational capacity. Identify capacity gaps, conflicting space needs, staffing concerns, and other operational risks; develop mitigation and contingency plans. Evaluate and approve requests involving over-enrollment, additional space, operational changes, or nonstandard venue requirements. Resolve complex issues involving housing, classroom assignments, room setups, shipping, staffing, contract interpretation, or venue service delivery. Provide leadership with clear recommendations, status updates, and risk assessments. Team Leadership and Operational Governance Manage, coach, and develop the University & Venue Operations Coordinator based in Merida, Mexico. Set priorities, performance expectations, service standards, and escalation protocols for venue administration and operational support. Establish standardized processes, templates, checklists, training resources, and documentation to reduce dependence on individual institutional knowledge. Review dashboards, exception reports, and performance indicators rather than serving as the routine processor or reviewer of every transaction. Lead regular portfolio reviews and ensure responsibilities are clearly assigned across the venue team and internal stakeholders. Cross-train appropriate backup resources and promote continuity of operations during peak periods, absences, and transitions. Budget, Reporting, and Continuous Improvement Support venue budgets, forecasts, cost comparisons, and variance analysis in partnership with Finance and program leadership. Review and approve material invoice discrepancies, nonstandard charges, and financial exceptions. Monitor partnership health, contract status, capacity, operational readiness, cost trends, and venue performance. Use data and stakeholder feedback to identify process improvements and strengthen service delivery. Maintain awareness of university operations trends, industry practices, regional venue changes, and emerging partnership opportunities Qualifications: Proven experience in university relations, venue management, event operations, hospitality, contract management, or a related field; experience leading complex partner portfolios strongly preferred. Demonstrated ability to build trusted relationships and communicate effectively with university leaders, venue partners, and cross-functional stakeholders. Experience supervising, coaching, or leading employees or shared-service support teams across locations or time zones. Strong negotiation, decision-making, problem-solving, and conflict-resolution skills. Ability to distinguish routine work from high-risk exceptions and make timely decisions in a fast-paced, seasonal environment. Strong project and portfolio management skills, with the ability to manage multiple venues, contracts, deadlines, and competing priorities. Financial acumen and comfort reviewing budgets, pricing, invoices, and cost variances. Data-driven mindset with proficiency in Microsoft Office; experience with Smartsheet, CRM platforms, contract systems, or similar operational tools preferred. Willingness to work with AI and identify process improvements. Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Ability to travel extensively during peak program operations (May–July), with overall travel averaging approximately 40–50% annually. Travel includes site visits, university partner meetings, industry conferences, contract negotiations, and on-site program support across the United States. Education, Experience, and Training Bachelor's degree in Business, Hospitality, Event Management, Communications, Higher Education, or a related field preferred; equivalent relevant experience will be considered. Five or more years of progressive experience in university relations, venue operations, event management, hospitality, or partnership management preferred. Prior people-management or team-leadership experience preferred. Work Perks: Comprehensive health benefits: medical, dental, vision, life, AD&D, accident, critical illness, disability insurance, FSA/HSA options with employer HSA contributions, and a generous 401(k) match. Generous paid time off including 11 paid company holidays, 25 PTO days the first year (prorated), 1 paid volunteer day, 4 mental health days, and bereavement Professional development support, including up to $5,250 annually for tuition reimbursement and up to $1,000 for certifications annually Opportunities for paid and discounted travel Flexible work schedule providing on-site, remote, and hybrid office opportunities Encouraged participation in a wide variety of Employee Resource Groups Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and wellness resources, including fitness centers at select locations Paid parental, caregiver, and disability leave Team Member Discount Program Engaging, collaborative, and fun work environment The salary range listed for this position represents WorldStrides’ good-faith estimate of the base compensation for the role at the time of posting. Actual compensation will be determined based on factors such as relevant experience, skills and qualifications, geographic location, internal equity, and market conditions. The range does not include other forms of compensation or benefits that may be offered as part of the total rewards package. Compensation Range $68,500 — $72,000 USD WorldStrides, a global organization, is committed to educate and serve communities worldwide. Our commitment is fueled by the passion of our team members and partners to make experiential learning accessible, while also being socially, environmentally, and ethically responsible. Together, we accomplish this by investing in initiatives to promote inclusion, diversity, and sustainability. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, WorldStrides is committed to building a diverse workforce, supported by an environment that promotes inclusion and belonging. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. WorldStrides will only employ those who are legally authorized to work in the United States. This is not a position for which sponsorship will be provided. Individuals with temporary visas such as E, F-1, J-1, H-1, H-2, L, B, J or TN, or who need sponsorship for work authorization now or in the future, are not eligible for hire. Select seasonal roles may consider students on J-1 or F-1 visas.