The Executive Director leads all year-round operations of the Indiana State Fairgrounds & Event Center, overseeing the planning and execution of the annual Indiana State Fair and a wide spectrum of events. As the primary steward of a modern and historic 250-acre facility exceeding one million square feet of event space, this role ensures the venue serves as Indiana's premier gathering place for agriculture, entertainment, community, and commerce.

· Strategic Leadership & Vision
Architects and leads a long-term strategic vision for maximizing the year-round use of the Fairgrounds, enhancing its operations and infrastructure, and balancing public and revenue-generating activities.

· Operational Oversight
Oversees the seamless delivery of hundreds of annual events - including conventions, consumer shows, sports, exhibitions, and the annual Indiana State Fair - coordinating across facilities, operations, marketing, finance, security, and maintenance teams.

· Facility Development & Preservation
Champions capital projects and renovations that preserve historical integrity while modernizing capabilities for diversified use.

· Financial Stewardship
Ensures a sustainable financial model by driving earned revenue while managing public funding appropriately. Oversees budgeting, forecasting, and alignment with strategic initiatives.

· Stakeholder & Community Engagement
Represents the Fairgrounds before state legislators, community groups, sponsors, media, and the public. Cultivates partnerships that enhance programming, visibility, and long-term support for the institution.

· Team Leadership & Culture
Inspires and manages a multidisciplinary executive team, including Marketing & Sales, Operations and Finance. Fosters a culture of excellence, collaboration, innovation, and stewardship throughout the organization.

1. Exemplary business management acumen: Begins with establishing a yearly Business Plan measured by a clear set of expectations and performance goals clearly articulated to the management team. Delegates responsibilities and empowers managers to make decisions and take personal accountability for these decisions. 

2. Financial and Fund-Raising Focus: Demonstrates knowledge and experience in developing and managing budgets, maintaining sound fiscal policy and preparing a long-term financial focus for the organization. Highly successful in raising additional funds to support various program initiatives.

3. Strong interpersonal skills: Ability to relate effectively to a diverse audience with varied interests, and a demographic locally, regionally and nationally. Must build a team that has the passion and drive to accomplish monumental projects in a constricted timeframe.

4. Effective Planner: Able to offer creative solutions and sound judgment in addressing urgent issues and developing plans and directions and guidance on projects from conception to completion.

5. Strength in Media Relations/Community Relations: Able to clearly articulate information through spoken and written word, interpret and communicate complex information to associations, customers and partners.

6. Passionate, energetic and knowledgeable about the Indiana State Fair and its history: Able to appreciate the complex and unique elements of this institution and understand its rich history and tradition to Indiana. This knowledge is coupled with the need to balance the business of the Fair and Fairgrounds and its future.

 

· Bachelor’s degree required. Graduate degree preferred. Concentration in applicable field.

· At least 10 years of applicable experience in fair, event, and/or facility management.

· Top level business management experience: fundraising, communications, human resources, public relations, marketing and financial planning.

· Polished professional with strong interpersonal and presentation skills.

 

This position requires a very high level of judgment, exceptional analytic ability and creativity in investigating major problems that require original and highly innovative solutions.

This position has direct supervisory responsibility over three members of the Executive Team and general supervisory responsibility for the entire ISFC staff.

Decisions typically involve establishment of significant far-ranging policies affecting future operational and development goals.

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, gender identity, marital or veteran status, or any other protected class.