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Position Overview

Autodesk is seeking a Senior Manager, Event Operations to lead the operational strategy, planning, and execution of Autodesk University (AU) — 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

About Autodesk

Welcome to Autodesk! Amazing things are created every day with our software – from the greenest buildings and cleanest cars to the smartest factories and biggest hit movies. We help innovators turn their ideas into reality, transforming not only how things are made, but what can be made.

We take great pride in our culture here at Autodesk – it’s at the core of everything we do. Our culture guides the way we work and treat each other, informs how we connect with customers and partners, and defines how we show up in the world.

When you’re an Autodesker, you can do meaningful work that helps build a better world designed and made for all. Ready to shape the world and your future? Join us!

Benefits

From health and financial benefits to time away and everyday wellness, we give Autodeskers the best, so they can do their best work. Learn more about our benefits in the U.S. by visiting https://benefits.autodesk.com/

Salary is one part of Autodesk’s competitive compensation package. For U.S.-based roles, we expect a starting base salary between $157,800 and $255,310. Offers are based on the candidate’s experience and geographic location, and may exceed this range. In addition to base salaries, our compensation package may include annual cash bonuses, commissions for sales roles, stock grants, and a comprehensive benefits package.

Equal Employment Opportunity

At Autodesk, we're building a diverse workplace and an inclusive culture to give more people the chance to imagine, design, and make a better world. Autodesk is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and considers all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status or any other legally protected characteristic. We also consider for employment all qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with applicable law.

Diversity & Belonging

We take pride in cultivating a culture of belonging where everyone can thrive. Learn more here: https://www.autodesk.com/company/diversity-and-belonging

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