Overview

The Director of Venue Operations must possess a strong background in operations, facility and arena management, and marketing, with preferred experience in rodeo management, arena setup, layout, agricultural knowledge, and stock handling. This role is responsible for the comprehensive day-to-day leadership of the Bilbrey Family Event Center, while also contributing to revenue generation, partnership development, and long-term strategic planning.

The position oversees facility operations, event execution, staffing, maintenance, safety compliance, budgeting, sponsorship opportunities, guest experience, food & beverage operations, vendor coordination, and future expansion planning. The Director will actively communicate with and accommodate Kansas State University programming such as the Department of Animal Science and the Rodeo Club, working collaboratively with internal stakeholders and external partners to ensure the venue operates efficiently, safely, and in alignment with University policies and objectives.

This role pays an annual salary of $75,000–$90,000 and is bonus eligible

Benefits for Full-Time roles: Health, Dental and Vision Insurance, 401(k) Savings Plan, 401(k) matching, and Paid Time Off (vacation days, sick days, and 11 holidays)

This position will remain open until May 1, 2026.

Responsibilities

Facility Operations & Event Execution

• Oversee daily operational procedures including access control, user coordination, venue readiness, and event-day execution
• Manage event scheduling, load-in/load-out, setup, teardown, and cross-departmental coordination
• Supervise event staffing plans, training standards, and recommended staffing levels for full-time and part-time staff
• Ensure effective coordination of academic, recruiting, livestock, community, and special events within the event calendar
• Oversee ticketing operations, entry procedures, event staffing plans, and coordination with security services

Maintenance, Safety & Compliance

• Direct routine facility maintenance programs including cleaning, repairs, preventative maintenance, and event-related support
• Ensure compliance with all applicable safety, health, and risk-management requirements, including emergency response planning
• Oversee life-safety systems, fire protection, workplace safety, and coordination with University and local authorities
• Track preventative maintenance programs and maintain operational documentation and manuals

Financial Management & Reporting

• Assist in developing operational budgets, financial forecasts, pricing structures, and rental fee recommendations
• Implement cost-control strategies and support financial reporting frameworks
• Monitor operational expenditures and recommend adjustments to improve efficiency and financial performance

Guest Experience, Marketing & Branding

• Establish and maintain guest experience standards and systems for collecting and evaluating customer feedback
• Support marketing, promotional, branding, and customer-engagement strategies to enhance event attendance and reputation
• Collaborate with University stakeholders on branding consistency and public-facing communications

Partnerships, Sponsorships & Vendor Coordination

• Support sponsorship strategy development, inventory management, and alignment with philanthropic and naming-rights opportunities
• Assist with securing partnerships consistent with Kansas State University policies and objectives
• Coordinate and manage vendor relationships including catering, concessions, audiovisual providers, and service partners
• Support food, beverage, and catering operations strategies and vendor performance Future Expansion & Strategic Planning
• Participate in the review of facility expansion design concepts and provide operational recommendations
• Review and comment on FF&E inventories related to future facility growth
• Support preparation of operational pro formas encompassing expanded event mixes and programming opportunities

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university
• Minimum 5-7 years of experience in venue, facility, or event operations management
• Demonstrated knowledge of arena or event center operations, staffing, and event execution
• Strong understanding of budgeting, financial forecasting, and operational cost control
• Knowledge of safety regulations, emergency planning, and risk management best practices
• Ability to work nights, weekends, and holidays based on event schedules
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills with internal stakeholders and external partners
• Proven ability to operate in a fast-paced, event-driven environment
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Outlook)