Venues Manager

Plans, directs, and leads the daily operations of Okaloosa County’s tourism venues (e.g., Fairgrounds, Baker Arena, North Shoal River).

• Supervises and manages staff including assignment, scheduling, interviewing/hiring, training, and discipline of assigned staff.
• Creates an environment which encourages employee and customer satisfaction, and promotes teamwork and innovation.
• Works closely with customers/public to sell, negotiate and book new and existing clients to increase the number of events, attendance, and revenues.
• Researches market trends, competition, and key customers to grow and diversify events at each venue, with an emphasis on events which generate overnight stays in Okaloosa County.
• Provides overall strategy and direction for the execution of events, including scheduling, space requirements, equipment, staffing, and food and beverage/concessions as applicable.
• Establishes and maintains professional relationships with the surrounding community, organizations, event promoters, booking agents, and related groups to garner new business; prepares proposals and later venue agreements to secure venue businesses.
• Collaborates with marketing staff to develop promotional and marketing materials and strategies.
• Attends various trade shows, conferences and other events related to the booking of the various venues here; may sponsor events for possible relocation to the area.
• Maintains inventory of supplies, materials and equipment for maintenance and upkeep of the venues; prepares bid specifications as needed to obtain supplies and services.
• Approves contracts for events and sub‑contractor work, verifies and approves vendor invoices for payment.
• Ensures venues are used in accordance with safety codes, administrative regulations and conditions of rental, to include proper food handling and preparation.
• Oversees rehab and new construction projects at the venues in conjunction with County assigned project manager.
• Develops and implements long‑range and annual budgets for each venue, to include routine, preventative and deferred facility maintenance.
• Develops and maintains policies, pricing and procedures relating to the operation of the venues, to include emergencies and disasters.
• Participates in planning activities for venues including, but not limited to, facility master planning, strategic business planning and budget planning, along with development and prioritization of capital projects for improvements to the venues.
• Performs event setup/teardown, custodial, and grounds maintenance tasks; operates forklift, tractor, or side‑by‑side/ATV as necessary.
• Supports program operations outside of normal business hours, to include long days, occasional evenings, and some weekends.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Hospitality, Facility Management or closely related field; supplemented by three (3) years of experience in operations management of a multi‑purpose event venue, preferably with two (2) years in a supervisory/management capacity; or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities. A flexible, self‑motivated person, willing to demonstrate leadership by example is required.

Experience in creating a culture for a dynamic team atmosphere conducive to managing diverse tasks across multiple venues is preferred. Experience managing a publicly owned and operated venue is preferred. Experience in operation of a forklift, tractor, and/or side‑by‑side/ATV is preferred.

Requires a valid driver license.

Requires the ability to operate office equipment, to include computers, copy/fax machines, and any related peripherals. Must be able to exert up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, or up to 25 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects. Requires long periods of walking/standing, with frequent bending and stooping.

Must be able to traverse irregular, uneven, and/or erratically moving surfaces frequently. Requires the ability to…