Live Event Manager Jobs in Chicago, IL (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 and provide professional client services support in the planning, organization, and management of events within the facility. Monitors the logistics of these events and all event coordination tasks after booking and through to their conclusion. Coordinate communication between event staff and delegate assignments and be responsible for and ensure overall customer and lessee satisfaction and experience.

This role pays an annual salary of $55,000-60,000.

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 October 16th, 2026.

Navy Pier has always been the "People's Pier." Built in 1916 as part of Daniel Burnham's famed plan of Chicago, today Navy Pier boasts versatile, multipurpose event spaces and high-quality amenities against one of the most unique and spectacular lakefront settings in the Midwest. Navy Pier showcases more than 50 acres of parks, restaurants, attractions, retail shops, sightseeing and dining cruise boats, exposition facilities, and more-all available to guests of on-site events. Navy Pier offers two exhibit halls, 34 meeting rooms, the historic Aon Grand Ballroom, and Lakeview Terrace that overlooks the lakefront. These dramatic and diverse spaces are ideal for trade and consumer shows, conferences, business meetings, and special events of any size.

• Manages all facility staff in delivering facility services for events and resolving event-related problems.
• Manages and participates in pre-event planning, reviewing any history of the event and initiating correspondence and conferences with the event planner, their suppliers, and Navy Pier staff.
• Compiles and reviews events and contractor charges with appropriate OVG360 staff and event planner, prepares proper documentation for invoice preparation, and assists in the follow-up on collections.
• Conducts post-event meetings with the event planner and their contractors as necessary to evaluate services provided.
• Conducts tours of the facilities for potential customers, explains services and facilities available, describes how they may best be used by the event, and determines the needs of the potential event.
• Assists with preparing pricing estimates for prospective meetings.
• Monitors and ensures compliance with contractual responsibilities of all parties.
• Prepares pre-event planning documents and instructions.
• Ensures compliance with all facilities and appropriate governmental rules and regulations by the event planners and all service providers working on the event.
• Provides clear, concise, and timely communication of directives to other departments.
• Implement facility rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Maintains the proper image and generates positive public relations with patrons and staff.
• Works with internal service partners to provide quality service to customers.
• Serves as liaison for all facility clients to ensure the highest level of customer service for all external service providers.
• Establish new standards of customer service by working with departments in the facility.
• Participates in the training and supervision of other event managers.
• Perform other job-related duties as assigned.

• 3-5+ years of increasingly responsible experience in event management in a stadium, arena, convention center, or public assembly facility setting.
• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college/university with major coursework in facility management, hospitality management, business, or related field preferred.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Strong computer skills in Microsoft Office applications, word processing, and the Internet.
• Knowledge of operational characteristics of events.
• Ability to identify the needs of users of the facility.
• Knowledge of crowd management and control techniques.
• Knowledge of customer service practices.
• Knowledge of principles of supervision, scheduling, and training employees.
• Demonstrated familiarity with facility use contracts.
• Knowledge of fire and public safety regulations.
• Knowledge of A/V equipment and electronic systems in public assembly facilities.
• Experience with budget preparation and control.
• Familiarity with terminology used in entertainment/convention/public assembly settings.
• Experience with AutoCAD is 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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