The Senior Event Manager is responsible for the strategic planning, oversight, and execution of complex, high-profile events held at the Rose Bowl Stadium and throughout the Rose Bowl campus. Events may include: soccer matches, concerts, festivals, college football games, filming, runs and walks, private functions, community events, and food festivals.
This role demands a seasoned leader with deep experience in event operations and cross-functional coordination. The Senior Event Manager will serve as the primary liaison between internal departments, external partners, and clients, ensuring seamless communication, operational excellence, and superior guest experiences. This individual will play a key role in fostering collaboration, maintaining high standards, and driving continuous improvement in event execution.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
Event Management
- Serve as the senior lead for high-impact and high-visibility events, acting as the primary liaison between clients, tenants, city officials, and third-party vendors to ensure seamless planning and execution.
- Oversee the development and implementation of comprehensive event planning tools, critical timelines, and operational protocols to drive consistency and efficiency across all assigned events.
- Lead coordination efforts with Rose Bowl Stadium staff, City departments, and contracted partners to secure permits, and uphold safety and operational standards.
- Facilitate and lead pre-event briefings and post-event debriefs, providing strategic insights and actionable recommendations to inform future planning and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Provide oversight and guidance during contract negotiations with vendors and service providers, ensuring performance benchmarks are met and service delivery aligns with organizational expectations.
- Collaborate with internal departments and public safety teams to review, approve, and optimize venue layout and event setups with a focus on safety, guest experience, and operational flow.
- Take on additional leadership responsibilities and special projects as assigned by executive leadership.
Event Administration
- Supervise and provide strategic direction to direct reports, including Event Managers, Coordinators, and Assistants, fostering a high-performing team aligned with departmental goals.
- Lead the assignment and tracking of enterprise events, ensuring alignment of resources, timelines, and communication across all stakeholders.
- Oversee procurement and vendor management processes for assigned events, including quote evaluation, contract oversight, and workflow approvals.
- Manage and monitor event-related budgets, ensuring financial accountability, timely reconciliation, and accurate documentation for invoicing and reporting.
- Maintain and oversee updates to the RBOC event calendar, ensuring executive leadership and stakeholders have clear visibility into upcoming activity and resource needs.
Education and/or Experience:
Knowledge of:
- Event Management
- City ordinances
- Business administration practices
- Budgeting
- Contract practices
- Purchasing
- Basic human resources practices
- Basic public safety practices
- Americans with Disabilities Act
Proficiency in Use/Application of the following:
- Microsoft Office 365
- Venue Ops
- Beanworks
- Social Tables
Skills in:
- Read/interpret documents
- Write reports/Correspondence
- Speak clearly/concisely
- Listen effectively
- Interface with the public
- Multi-tasking
- Community relations
- Problem solving
- Analytical
- Reasoning
- Proactive
- Flexibility/adapt to change
- Work under stressful conditions
- Business acumen/demeanor
- Independent judgment
- Customer service
- Teamwork/player
- Organization skills
- Public safety planning
Education and experience:
- College education or equivalent
- Five to ten years’ experience in sports entertainment and/or venue event management
Licenses and Certifications:
- Class C driver’s license and satisfactory driving record
Material and equipment used:
- Computers
- Office machines
- Golf/utility cart
- Two-way radios
- Cell phone/mobile data device
Pay Range: $85,174 – $132,020
The base pay range for this position may vary depending upon a number of factors including the individual candidates’ experience, qualifications, skills and competencies. This base pay is part of an overall package that is designed to compensate and recognize employees for their work and achievements. This position may be eligible for additional bonuses and commission incentives.
The RBOC offers the following benefits to all eligible employees:
- 100% coverage for employee medical/dental/vision for the employee’s selected benefits plan
- Long Term Disability/Life/AD&D
- Health & Dependent Care FSA accounts
- EAP
- Cafeteria Plan
- CalPERS retirement benefits
- 457b plan
Time off and leave plans include:
- 12 paid holidays plus 10 vacation days per year (these increase by tenure)
- 10 paid sick days per year
- 12 wellness days (per calendar year – do not accrue)
The RBOC reserves the right to modify or change the benefits programs at any time with or without notice.
The Rose Bowl is an equal opportunity employer. All aspects of employment including the decision to hire, promote, discipline, or discharge, will be based on merit, competence, performance, and business needs. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, marital status, age, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy, genetic information, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or any other status protected under federal, state, or local law.
