Senior Event Operations Manager

Senior Manager, Event Operations

Autodesk is seeking a Senior Manager, Event Operations to lead the operational strategy, planning, and execution of Autodesk University—our growing annual flagship global customer conference that currently unites over 12K+ designers, engineers, partners and innovators from around the world. This role is at the heart of our event ecosystem—the operational hub that connects internal workstreams, agency partners, and executive stakeholders. We're looking for a seasoned operator with 8–10+ years of experience producing large-scale global conferences, managing eight-digit budgets, and orchestrating complex cross-functional teams. The ideal candidate is a high-performing, humble leader, someone with executive acumen, operational excellence, and the ability to "read the room." They bring structure, calm, and clarity to complexity; they know how to drive accountability, build relationships, and keep teams focused on the goal.

Responsibilities

• Lead and orchestrate the full operational lifecycle of Autodesk University—from initial planning through post-show reconciliation—including venue management, logistics, housing, registration, F&B, production operations, and sustainability initiatives
• Serve as the connective tissue across cross-functional internal teams (content, brand, comms, digital, finance, procurement, legal, and IT) and external agency partners—ensuring alignment, accountability, and clarity on deliverables
• Own the master timeline and drive progress through weekly core team planning meetings, setting agendas, capturing decisions, and ensuring follow-through across multiple workstreams
• Manage complex, multi-million-dollar budgets with rigor and foresight—forecasting accurately, finding efficiencies, and ensuring resources are optimized for maximum impact
• Partner with senior executives and cross-functional leaders to communicate program status, surface decisions, and synthesize information succinctly and professionally
• Champion continuous improvement—driving innovation in systems, tools, and process design to evolve how Autodesk delivers large-scale experiences year over year
• Foster strong, transparent relationships with vendors and agency partners, setting clear expectations and maintaining accountability across all aspects of delivery
• Lead on-site operations with calm, confident decision-making, managing teams, timelines, and executive experiences under pressure
• Model a "no ego, no drama" mindset—creating a culture of collaboration, accountability, and fun

Minimum Qualifications

• 8+ years of large-scale event operations or production experience, preferably with a global technology brand or agency
• Proven track record managing complex, high-budget events (eight-digit+ portfolios) with excellence and precision
• Expertise in timeline and milestone management, including facilitating weekly core planning meetings and building clear operational frameworks
• Strong executive communication and presence—able to synthesize complexity into clarity for senior audiences
• Deep experience managing cross-functional alignment and collaborating across diverse internal teams and external partners

Preferred Qualifications

• Exceptional problem-solving skills and the ability to stay composed, flexible, and resourceful in high-pressure situations
• Operates with humility, humor, and a "no task beneath me" mentality—equally comfortable leading strategy and rolling up sleeves on details
• Emotionally intelligent, perceptive, and able to navigate personalities and dynamics to keep momentum and morale high
• Passionate about elevating the attendee experience and continuously innovating how we deliver large-scale events
• Willingness to travel for site visits, vendor meetings, and onsite execution

The Ideal Candidate

• A strategic operator who thrives in complex environments and makes order out of chaos
• A collaborative leader who builds trust quickly and leads with empathy and accountability
• A clear communicator who distills complexity for executives and drives alignment across teams
• A calm force under pressure who sets the tone, keeps perspective, and makes others better
• A team-first, no-ego professional who takes pride in shared success—and has fun doing it