Event Manager | Owensboro Convention Center

Oak View Group

Oak View Group is the global leader in venue development, management, and premium hospitality services for the live event industry. Offering an unmatched, 360-degree solution set for a collection of world-class owned venues and a client roster that includes the most influential, highest attended arenas, convention centers, music festivals, performing arts centers, and cultural institutions on the planet.

Position Summary

The Event Manager is the liaison between the show manager/client and all building operations staff and contractors.  After the contract is signed for an event, the Event Manager works directly with the client to provide any needs from the facility.  In addition, the Event Manager makes certain that all building policies and procedures are followed in preparing for and implementing the event.  When the event is in the building, the Event Manager runs the show, making certain that the client’s needs are met and any building or safety issues are addressed immediately.  The Event Manager will supervise, indirectly, all building operational staff during an event activity.

This role will pay a yearly salary of $43,888 - $48,000.

For FT roles: Benefits: Health, Dental and Vision insurance, 401(k) savings plan, 401(k) matching, and paid time off (vacation days, sick days, and 12 holidays)

This position will remain open until December 31, 2024.

About the Venue

Western Kentucky’s award-winning venue – the Owensboro Convention Center – is a full-service facility overlooking the scenic Ohio River in revitalized downtown Owensboro, Kentucky. The multi-purpose center boasts just under 102,000 sq. ft. of available space, including a 44,000+ sq. ft. exhibition hall, the 8,900+ sq. ft. Kentucky Legend® Pier outside over the scenic Ohio River, and additional ballroom, meeting, and pre-function space.

The Sportscenter, one of Owensboro’s most historic buildings, opened in 1949. It is a multi-purpose, 5,000-seat arena that hosts concerts, sporting events, graduations, trade shows, meetings, and receptions.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for planning, coordinating, and facilitating the logistics of assigned events; act as liaison for building with all parties and departments involved in the event.
• Coordinates and provides clear, concise, and timely communication with building staff of all requirements necessary for events by preparing and distributing detailed event resumes, diagrams, event staffing requirements, set-up requirements, general instructions and supporting documentation for each event using industry specific software. Communicate changes before and during events.
• Develop and control event budgets including preparing Pre-Event Event Financial Estimates to clients based on potential operational costs during the course of the event; coordinate the completion of Post-Event Financial Settlements
• Troubleshoot during event preparation and during event to ensure that all event setups are correct including making decisions about policy, procedures, billing and staffing.
• Monitors in-house set-up to ensure that the facility, equipment, physical set-up and labor provided meet the requirements of contractual agreements within the constraints of safety, health, and fire code standards.
• Ensure that all event insurance certificates, licenses and permits required for events or production are obtained in a timely manner.
• Oversee all production, set up, staffing and event-related contracted services for assigned events.
• Ensure that the facility is cleaned prior to, during and after all events to maintain building appearance and increase customer satisfaction.
• Communicate and coordinate with the Food & Beverage Department  for catering needs.
• Serve as a facility representative at assigned events by enforcing facility policies and procedures; identify and resolve public and event-related complaints in a professional manner ensuring customer satisfaction.
• Analyze challenges, identify alternative solutions, and project consequences of proposed actions and implement recommendations in support of organizational objectives.
• Attend various weekly scheduled building meetings.
• Communicate any problems and proposed solutions to the executive team.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with lessees/clients, co-workers, part-time staff, contractors, patrons/public and municipal officials.
• Act as facility manager on duty as required.
• Complete all duties with a customer service focus through teamwork & dedication to Spectra’s principles.
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year college/university with major coursework in event management, facility management, sports management, hospitality management, business administration or related field required.
• 3-5 years of increasingly responsible experience in event management in a public assembly facility, convention center, arena, hotel, or similar facility preferred.  
• Ability and willingness to work a flexible schedule including long and irregular hours that may vary due to functions and may include early mornings, evenings, weekends, holidays, and extended number of consecutive days.
• Knowledge of operational characteristics of events, including crowd management and control techniques; fire and public safety regulations, food service practices, A/V equipment and relevant federal, state, and local regulations preferred.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office programs; experience with event management software and layouts preferred.
• Must have supervisory experience and the ability to select, train, motivate and manage staff.
• Exemplary customer service skills with the ability to handle multiple tasks and priorities simultaneously.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Professional presentation, appearance and work ethic.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.

Strengthened by our Differences. United to Make a Difference

At OVG, we understand that to continue positively disrupting the sports and live entertainment industry, we need a diverse team to help us do it. We also believe that inclusivity drives innovation, strengthens our people, improves our service, and raises our excellence. Our success is rooted in creating environments that reflect and celebrate the diverse communities in which we operate and serve, and this is the reason we are committed to amplifying voices from all different backgrounds.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Oak View Group is committed to equal employment opportunity. We will not discriminate against employees or applicants for employment on any legally recognized basis (“protected class”) including, but not limited to veteran status, uniform service member status, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information or any other protected class under federal, state, or local law.