The Director, Argyle Event Operations for Sporting Kansas City, is responsible for maximizing the operational efficiency and profitability of events hosted by Sporting Kansas City at any of its world-class properties, collectively known as Argyle Events. This position will lead a unified team that manages the execution of MLS games, concerts, club events, and private events, ensuring seamless coordination between operational logistics and premium guest experiences. The Director, Argyle Event Operations is accountable for setting standards, driving strategy, and ensuring integration between event operations, hospitality, and revenue goals.
The position is to be a key Leader to the Argyle Events team while ensuring all work is consistent with the Sporting KC brand purpose: “We create memories through personalized experiences with our Club.”
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
- Lead planning and execution of all events at Sporting Kansas City venues — MLS matches, concerts, and private events.
- Oversee Match Day and Private Event Operations teams to ensure seamless logistics and guest experiences.
- Serve as main liaison with Major League Soccer for all operational compliance.
- Guide and support the Senior Manager, Argyle Events to deliver events that meet brand and business goals.
- Partner with Sales, Culinary, and Premium Hospitality to align event operations with revenue growth strategies.
- Manage event lifecycle: planning, staffing, execution, and post-event review.
- Support leadership in securing future events aligned with Club goals.
- Own departmental budget, forecasting, expense tracking, and post-event settlement.
- Build and manage staffing plans, production schedules, and run-of-show documents.
- Lead, coach, and mentor team members to elevate performance and revenue opportunities.
- Anticipate operational challenges and solve proactively with cross-functional teams.
- Track event metrics and KPIs to improve efficiency, guest satisfaction, and profitability.
- Foster a collaborative, solutions-focused team culture.
- Represent the Club professionally at all times.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
PRIVATE EVENT RESPONSIBILITIES
- Oversee private event operations in partnership with Argyle Event Sales.
- Ensure flawless handoffs between sales and operations with clear client communication.
- Uphold client experience standards and brand alignment across venues.
- Lead SOP development to ensure consistent execution.
- Identify upsell and premium experience opportunities.
- Monitor quality, execution, and client satisfaction.
GAME DAY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Lead weekly Game Ops meetings to align teams on timelines and logistics.
- Distribute event communications, production notes, and MLS-required reports.
- Ensure all operational details are executed accurately and on time.
- Maintain communication with leadership and MLS officials for compliance.
- Submit pre- and post-game documentation and reports.
SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE
- Bachelor’s degree in Sports Management, Event Management, or a related field; equivalent experience in venue operations may be considered.
- Minimum of five (5) to seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in stadium or public assembly operations, including supervisory and leadership responsibilities.
- Prior experience preferred in AutoCAD or comparable drafting software for event mapping and spatial planning.
- Proven experience managing a variety of large-scale events, including professional sports, concerts, and special events requiring multiple venue configurations. Experience with hospitality and F&B integration a plus.
- Demonstrated experience in event operational budgeting, event settlements, and payroll oversight.
- Experience with Incident Management Systems and certification (or eligible for certification) in FEMA ICS 100, 200, and 700, preferred.
PHYSICAL ABILITIES
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an associate to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions:
- Required to sit, stand and walk for long periods of time.
- Frequent stooping, bending, pulling and pushing, as well as climbing and balancing.
- Reach with hands and arms.
- Required to talk and hear consistently.
- Ability to occasionally lift, carry and/or drag up to one-hundred (100) pounds if necessary.
- Specific vision abilities required by the role include the ability to distinguish the nature of objects by using the eye, including close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision and the ability to adjust focus.
- Capable of working in outdoor weather conditions, including exposure to the sun and heat.
- Will be working near moving mechanical parts.
- Will be working in a loud work environment.
- Ability to work non-traditional hours, including evenings, weekends and holidays, as necessary.
