Position: Director - Live Events and Venue Programming
Department: Venue Operations: Event Operations/ Management
Reporting Relationship: Supervised by the Vice President of Venue Operations
Status: Full-Time (Exempt)
Position Summary
The Director of Live Events & Venue Programming is responsible for the strategic oversight, booking, planning, and execution of all live events and private events for Tepper Sports & Entertainment. This role serves as the senior leader for event programming, ensuring seamless integration between sales, event services, operations, and marketing to deliver exceptional experiences and maximize revenue potential. The Director also oversees all stadium conversions and labor operations, ensuring efficient turnarounds between events. This position reports to the Vice President of Venue Operations and plays a key role in shaping the venue's event portfolio, operational readiness, and overall business growth.
Primary Responsibilities
- Lead the booking strategy for all live, private, internal, sponsorship, and community events across TSE properties, ensuring optimal utilization of venue spaces and alignment with organizational goals.
- Maintain and manage the master venue calendar, balancing internal and external events to minimize conflicts and maximize revenue.
- Oversee the booking of private events to ensure private and major events can coexist without compromising guest experience or operational efficiency.
- Negotiate and finalize contracts with promoters, clients, and partners, securing favorable terms while ensuring compliance with venue policies and regulations.
- Participate in and lead the bid process for high-profile events, preparing proposals, presenting to potential clients, and coordinating cross-departmental input.
- Monitor industry trends and develop proactive strategies to attract new events and grow the venue's market presence.
- Provide oversight of Live Events and Venue Sales teams ensuring operational requirements are clearly defined and executed by internal teams.
- Ensure all events meet or exceed safety, regulatory, and contractual requirements, including securing permits with the City of Charlotte and Charlotte Fire Department.
- Lead pre-event and post-event reviews to assess performance, identify areas for improvement, and capture best practices.
- Oversee the Labor & Conversions Manager, providing strategic guidance on building readiness, timelines, and budgetary needs for all stadium conversions.
- Ensure conversion schedules are aligned with event bookings and operational requirements, including coordination with operations, grounds, and maintenance.
- Approve and monitor blackout dates and operational downtimes to optimize efficiency and minimize disruption.
- Develop and manage annual revenue and expense budgets for live and private events, ensuring financial targets are met or exceeded.
- Oversee event settlement processes, ensuring timely and accurate reconciliation with promoters and clients.
- Track and report on event financial performance, providing real-time updates to executive leadership.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with promoters, corporate clients, and key partners to foster repeat business and long-term partnerships.
- Oversee membership programs and leverage them to enhance industry trends, event programming and best practices.
- Identify and develop new event concepts and revenue streams to grow the venue's portfolio and community impact.
- Ensure the delivery of exceptional customer service and a premium client experience throughout the event lifecycle.
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree or equivalent preferably in Sports and Entertainment Management or Event/Facility Management
- Minimum 8-10 years of advanced responsibility in Stadium, Arena or Major Event coordination/management of large-scale events
- Experience in financial reporting and large event settlements
- Strong management, leadership, and communication skills
- Works well under pressure while maintaining a positive attitude
- Must be a team player, reliable, and dependable
- Must be detail-oriented and must be able to multi-task while managing time successfully
- Must be flexible to work evenings and/or weekends and all Live Stadium events, including events held on weekends, nights, and holidays when necessary
- Must have a valid driver's license
- Must pass pre-employment screens
Essential Functions
- Standing for extended periods of time
- Walking throughout the stadium and stadium grounds
- Lift at least 50 pounds
Work Environment
- This job operates mostly in an outside environment and in a stadium facility at times which may include inclement weather conditions.
Tepper Sports & Entertainment is an equal opportunity at-will employer and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of age, race, religion, color, disability, sex, sexual orientation, or national origin.