City of Jackson, Tennessee
Job Description: Director, Fairgrounds
Job Overview
Department Public Venues and Events
Reports To Director of Public Venues and Events
Employment Full Time
Supervision Fairgrounds maintenance and event staff, seasonal/temporary workers, volunteers, and contractors as assigned
Location City of Jackson, Fairgrounds
Schedule Full time; evenings, weekends, and holidays as fairgrounds operations and events require
Salary Range Grade: H : $52,412 - $60,789
Position Summary
The Director of Fairgrounds provides the day-to-day leadership, administration, and public face of the City''s fairgrounds complex. The Director works collaboratively with City leadership, agricultural and livestock organizations, event promoters, and community partners on facility scheduling, grounds and building maintenance, and event operations, while operating within City policies, approved budgets, and the direction of the Director of Public Venues and Events. The position is responsible for maximizing facility use, protecting and maintaining fairgrounds assets, ensuring the safety and quality of the visitor and renter experience, and building sustainable revenue and community support for the fairgrounds.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
- Fairgrounds leadership. Manage daily operations of the fairgrounds complex and carry out annual priorities, policies, and procedures consistent with City requirements and the facility''s mission.
- Event coordination. Plan and coordinate major annual events, including the City/regional fair, livestock shows, equestrian events, and community gatherings, from logistics through execution.
- Rentals and scheduling. Manage the facility rental and booking program, including reservations, contracts, fee collection, and coordination of logistics for renters and promoters.
- Grounds and facility maintenance. Oversee the upkeep of arenas, barns, exhibit halls, grandstands, fencing, parking, and utilities; coordinate repairs and capital improvement needs with Public Works and Facilities staff.
- Safety and compliance. Ensure facility safety, accessibility, and compliance with applicable fire, building, and safety codes; coordinate security and crowd management planning for events.
- Budget and personnel. Prepare and manage the fairgrounds budget and supervise assigned employees, seasonal workers, volunteers, and contractors.
- Marketing and community relations. Promote the fairgrounds for rental use and public events; build relationships with agricultural organizations, 4-H and livestock associations, event promoters, vendors, and sponsors.
- Vendor and contractor management. Negotiate and manage agreements with vendors, concessionaires, and contractors supporting fairgrounds events.
- Reporting. Track and report on attendance, revenue, expenses, facility usage, and annual goals to the Director of Public Venues and Events.
- Other duties. Perform related duties and special projects as assigned by the Director of Public Venues and Events.
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor''s degree from an accredited college or university in Business Administration, Public Administration, Recreation and Facility Management, Agriculture, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Five or more years of progressively responsible experience in facility management, event management, fairgrounds or agricultural venue operations, or a closely related field.
- Experience managing budgets and personnel.
- Experience coordinating events, facility rentals, and vendor or contractor agreements.
- Strong public speaking, written communication, and community relations skills.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience specifically in fairgrounds, exhibition centers, or other related facilities.
- Knowledge of municipal facility operations and procurement practices.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Knowledge of accepted facility management practices involving grounds, buildings, and event operations.
- Strong leadership, organization, project management, problem solving, and decision-making skills.
- Ability to work effectively with City leadership, employees, volunteers, renters, vendors, and community and agricultural partners.
- Skill in budgeting, contract administration, marketing, and performance reporting.
- Ability to plan and execute large-scale public events, including safety and logistics planning.
- Proficiency with standard office, scheduling, ticketing, and digital communication tools.
Work Environment and Physical Requirements
Work is performed in outdoor fairgrounds, office, event, and community settings, with exposure to seasonal weather, dust, noise, and animals during livestock and agricultural events. The position requires periodic evening, weekend, and holiday work, and the ability to walk fairgrounds property and oversee event setup and teardown. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Additional Requirements
- Valid driver''s license and an acceptable driving record, if required for assigned duties.
- Successful completion of any pre-employment screening required by the City of Jackson.
Equal Opportunity Statement: The City of Jackson is an equal opportunity employer. This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed and is not an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications. Duties may be modified as organizational needs evolve.
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