Event Manager Jobs in Lexington, KY (NOW HIRING)

Oak View Group (OVG) is the global leader in premium live entertainment infrastructure and services, with a platform spanning venue development and end-to-end capabilities across venue management, hospitality, and sponsorship sales. Founded in 2015, the company serves a collection of seven world-class owned venues and a client roster of the most iconic arenas, stadiums, convention centers, music festivals, performing arts centers, and cultural institutions, spanning four continents. 

The Event Manager will manage every aspect of their assigned events from the advance planning stages through the end of the event; hire, train, schedule, and manage necessary event staff; oversee building security and interact with local public safety officials to ensure events run smoothly; coordinate communication between event staff/security and delegate assignments; and be responsible for and ensure overall customer and lessee satisfaction and experience. 

This role pays an annual salary of $50,000 - $55,000

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 November 13, 2026.

Lexington is an active and thriving market, craving an active and welcoming venue for events. The heart of any thriving community is its downtown-and the excitement of events!

Rupp Arena at the heart of Lexington, Kentucky, is fast becoming THE must-play venue. The 20,000-seat arena, affectionately referred to by some as "the Cathedral of College Basketball," is home to the National Champion University of Kentucky men's basketball program and has played host to some of the most talented and award-winning musicians/artists in the world, including U2, Paul McCartney, Elton John, Justin Timberlake, Kenny Chesney, Taylor Swift, and many others.

Central Bank Center, attached to Rupp Arena, is the convention side of the venue. With over 99k sf of exhibition space, 24k sf each of meeting and ballroom space, 50k of hospitality space, 10k sf of flexible space, and over 2500 covered and uncovered parking spaces, CBC has hosted large conferences and events, including LexCon, Scarefest, the Home and Garden Show, and the Boat Show, to name a few. Both venues are additionally joined by the Lexington Opera House in entertaining downtown Lexington. The Opera House showcases Broadway talent through collaborative bookings of Broadway shows, small-venue concerts, and local arts. CommonSpirit Health Stage at Gatton Park is a 5,000-capacity outdoor venue located in the center of Lexington. Opening in 2025 From live music and stand-up comedy to unforgettable experiences set against a stunning park backdrop in the center of the city. 

• Advance, plan, service, and manage all events.
• Act as primary client contact during all phases of event management, ascertain client requirements for event set-up, etc., to ensure the event runs as requested.  
• Provide clients with updates as necessary for each assigned event.   
• Lead site visits and meetings with clients for all assigned events. 
• Create event plans/documents and distribute them to departments with complete event information.
• Plan, manage, and evaluate the work of various departments in coordination with event processes.
• Function as a liaison between users of the facility and the facility staff.
• Coordinate communication between building staff and show staff during load-in and load-out.
• Create and distribute detailed data sheets prior to every event.
• Provide leadership and guidance for event personnel from advance to closing and settlement of the event.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with lessees/clients, co-workers, part-time staff, contractors, patrons/public, and municipal officials.
• Manages events in the facility, maintaining close contact with clients and venue staff to ensure successful events; follows up on all client requests, concerns, and issues during the event to ensure resolution.
• Assist in the preparation of building to meet the requirements of upcoming events/shows.
• Advise lessees on services available from independent contractors for events
• Investigate and resolve event-related complaints in a professional manner, ensuring customer satisfaction.
• Communicate with municipal officials, including police, fire, and medical services; event staff; and the public to ensure security of patrons and smooth event running.
• Review emergency planning procedures with all event staff for each event.
• Verify that event spaces have been set accurately to client specifications while staying within fire code and building policies.
• Ensures facility rules, regulations, policies, and procedures are enforced and adhered to by the client and associated vendors.
• Anticipate problems and develop appropriate solutions.
• Investigates, analyzes, and solves operations problems and complaints.
• Handles operational/financial decisions and processing.
• Assist with the completion of pre-show event financial estimates.
• Assist with the completion of post-show event settlements.
• Prepare cost estimates and monitor final billing.
• Analyze challenges, identify alternative solutions, and project consequences of proposed actions and implement recommendations in support of organizational objectives
• Observes and submits maintenance request orders for repairs and damages. 
• Attend and participate in weekly operation meetings.
• Work a flexible schedule, including long nights, early mornings, weekends & holidays as needed.
• Maintain and manage event-related information in event management software, Momentus.
• Complete all duties with a customer service focus through teamwork & dedication to Oak View Group's principles.
• Recommend and evaluate required event staffing levels for various support departments.
• Communicate with municipal officials, including police, fire, and medical services; event staff; and the public to ensure security of patrons and smooth event running.
• Review emergency planning procedures with all event staff for each event.
• Serve as the manager on duty as assigned and respond to any emergencies.
• Other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

• 3-5 years of related work experience. Experience in event management in a stadium, arena, convention center, or public assembly facility setting preferred.
• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college/university with major coursework in facility management, hospitality management, business, or related field.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Knowledge of crowd management and control techniques.
• Knowledge of customer service practices.
• Knowledge of principles of management, scheduling, and training employees.
• Work independently exercising judgment and initiative with minimal supervision.
• Maintain an effective working relationship with employees and others encountered through the course of employment.
• Excellent organizational, planning, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to prioritize multiple projects.
• Ability to demonstrate problem-solving skills.
• Organize and prioritize work to meet deadlines.
• Work effectively under pressure and/or a stringent schedule and produce accurate results.
• Remain flexible and adjust to situations as they occur.
• Operate standard office equipment and personal computer using MS Windows, MS Excel, MS Outlook, and MS Word.
• Ability to occasionally lift and/or move heavy objects; perform climbing, lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, and stooping. Ability to stand and sit for extended periods.
• Ability to work irregular hours that may vary, including daytime, evening, weekends, and holidays.
• Experience in event management software (Momentus) preferred, but not required.
• Experience in CAD preferred, but not required.

At OVG, we understand that to continue positively disrupting the sports and live entertainment industry, we need a diverse team to help us do it. We also believe that inclusivity drives innovation, strengthens our people, improves our service, and raises our excellence. Our success is rooted in creating environments that reflect and celebrate the diverse communities in which we operate and serve, and this is the reason we are committed to amplifying voices from all different backgrounds.

Oak View Group is committed to equal employment opportunity. We will not discriminate against employees or applicants for employment on any legally recognized basis ("protected class") including, but not limited to veteran status, uniform service member status, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information or any other protected class under federal, state, or local law.

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