Director of Venue Operations Bilbrey Event 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.

The Director of Venue Operation must possess a strong background in operations, facility and arena management, and marketing, with preferred experience in rodeo management, arena setup, layout, agricultural knowledge, and stock handling. This role is responsible for the comprehensive day‑to‑day leadership of the Bilbrey Family Event Center, while also contributing to revenue generation, partnership development, and long‑term strategic planning.

The position oversees facility operations, event execution, staffing, maintenance, safety compliance, budgeting, sponsorship opportunities, guest experience, food & beverage operations, vendor coordination, and future expansion planning. The Director will actively communicate with and accommodate Kansas State University programming such as the Department of Animal Science and the Rodeo Club, working collaboratively with internal stakeholders and external partners to ensure the venue operates efficiently, safely, and in alignment with University policies and objectives.

This role pays an annual salary of $75,000–$90,000 and is bonus eligible.

Benefits for Full‑Time roles:
Health, Dental and Vision Insurance, 401(k) Savings Plan, 401(k) matching, and Paid Time Off (vacation days, sick days, and 11 holidays).

This position will remain open until May 1, 2026.

• Oversee daily operational procedures including access control, user coordination, venue readiness, and event‑day execution.
• Manage event scheduling, load‑in/load‑out, setup, teardown, and cross‑departmental coordination.
• Supervise event staffing plans, training standards, and recommended staffing levels for full‑time and part‑time staff.
• Ensure effective coordination of academic, recruiting, livestock, community, and special events within the event calendar.
• Oversee ticketing operations, entry procedures, event staffing plans, and coordination with security services.

• Direct routine facility maintenance programs including cleaning, repairs, preventative maintenance, and event‑related support.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable safety, health, and risk‑management requirements, including emergency response planning.
• Oversee life‑safety systems, fire protection, workplace safety, and coordination with University and local authorities.
• Track preventative maintenance programs and maintain operational documentation and manuals.

• Assist in developing operational budgets, financial forecasts, pricing structures, and rental fee recommendations.
• Implement cost‑control strategies and support financial reporting frameworks.
• Monitor operational expenditures and recommend adjustments to improve efficiency and financial performance.

• Establish and maintain guest experience standards and systems for collecting and evaluating customer feedback.
• Support marketing, promotional, branding, and customer‑engagement strategies to enhance event attendance and reputation.
• Collaborate with University stakeholders on branding consistency and public‑facing communications.

• Support sponsorship strategy development, inventory management, and alignment with philanthropic and naming‑rights opportunities.
• Assist with securing partnerships consistent with Kansas State University policies and objectives.
• Coordinate and manage vendor relationships including catering, concessions, audiovisual providers, and service partners.
• Support food, beverage, and catering operations strategies and vendor performance.
• Future Expansion & Strategic Planning:
  Participate in the review of facility expansion design concepts and provide operational…