Director of Expo Center

Posting Number

EX

Director of Expo Center

1

Located in the West Kentucky region, Murray State University is a public, comprehensive University which offers a low cost of living, low property taxes, and a four-season climate. Murray has a friendly, small-town atmosphere with locally-owned specialty shops and restaurants, an acclaimed community theater, art guild and award-winning public schools. The area is home to Kentucky Lake and Land Between the Lakes, a 170,000-acre National Recreation Area, which offers a wide-range of activities and amenities for residents and visitors alike.

Located in close proximity to major cities and nearby access to Interstate 24, Murray is just a few hours from Nashville, St. Louis, Louisville and Memphis. Learn more about Careers at Murray State University.

Faculty and staff of Murray State University have access to a comprehensive benefits package including health insurance, retirement, tuition waivers, generous paid holidays, vacation, sick, and paid parental leave, as well as many other benefit offerings. Please refer to the Murray State Benefits page for more information.

Equal Opportunity Employer/AA. Murray State University does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, sex, gender, identity, sexual orientation, religion, age, veteran status, disability or political or social viewpoint. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply.

Regular Full-Time

Murray, KY

12 Months

Staff - Exempt (Monthly)

Animal and Equine Science

The Expo Director is responsible for the successful operation of the Cherry West Kentucky Livestock and Exposition (Expo) Center, a 2,748 seat multi-event building.

• Serve as the primary liaison between building users and University staff.
• Prepare and direct the preparation of marketing/promotional campaigns designed to enhance the facilities’ reputation and maximize usage, as well as making presentations to organizations and groups concerning the capabilities and capacities of the Expo.
• Establish contractual agreements, overall budgets, operating policies and procedures, as well as identifying operating needs; improve logistics processes and requirements of the facilities.
• Perform operating and financial analyses to ensure proficiency and optimum realization from assets expended.
• Meet material/equipment/animal handling requirements, standards for safety for MSU regulations, Fire Marshall Codes, and OSHA.
• Proactively seek customer satisfaction perceptions and modify goals accordingly.
• Administer appropriate forms for all inventories, equipment, food accountability, and monitor building and ancillary components.
• Supervision of the Expo work force of full-time and student employees and training of the Expo work force.
• Must support and promote the missions of the Huston School of Agriculture and related events and must maintain current promoters/proactively seek new events and have vision to promote Expo to the next level.
• Oversee the Farm Equipment Training Program in the Hutson School of Agriculture.
• Other duties as assigned.

• Bachelor’s degree in agriculture or a field related to the scope of work is required.

• Must have at least five years of combined experience in the following:
  • Equipment, building, facility and/or farm operation and maintenance.
  • Farm or business management.
  • Show/event leadership in event planning, on-site event management and customer service.
  • Agribusiness Marking/Management Field or Hotel/Restaurant Management.
• Additional college and related experience may be exchanged year-for-year to meet qualifications.
• Must be able to show initiative and ability to interface with external customers, agents and event promoters, as well as with MSU Huston School of Agriculture and other departments and personnel on campus.

• Master’s in agriculture or related field is preferred.
• Specific experience in exposition-center management.

• Must be able to physically lift up to 50 pounds for event set-up and operate expo equipment, including tractors, fork lifts, skid steers, telescopic handlers, etc.

• Must be able to work evenings, weekends, and holidays as needed.

113

01/23/2026

02/13/2026

No

Along with the application, the following items must be included:

• Letter of application
• Resume