Assistant AD or Sr. Director for Bookings & External Event Management

Closing date: 08/07/2026

About the role

The Assistant Athletics Director or Senior Director for Bookings & External Event Management reports to the Associate Athletics Director for Event Management and provides strategic leadership for the planning, development, booking, and execution of external events hosted within University of Arkansas Athletics facilities. This position plays a critical role in maximizing facility utilization and generating revenue by identifying, securing, and managing a diverse portfolio of external events while ensuring an exceptional client experience and operational excellence.

Serving as the department's primary point of contact for all external event inquiries, the incumbent oversees the full lifecycle of event management, including business development, contract negotiations, scheduling, facility use agreements, client relations, and event execution. The position is responsible for proactively cultivating relationships with promoters, corporate partners, community organizations, University stakeholders, and other external clients to expand the department's event portfolio and create new revenue-generating opportunities.

Responsibilities

• Identify and secure concerts, entertainment events, corporate functions, University commencements, high school graduations, conferences, meetings, camps, and other special events that optimize the use of Athletics facilities.
• Develop and maintain event rental policies, operating procedures, and fee structures to ensure competitive pricing, operational efficiency, and financial sustainability.
• Provide strategic oversight for all operational aspects of external events, including scheduling, staffing, security, parking, facility setup, audiovisual and technical support, vendor coordination, and event logistics.
• Serve as the on-site event manager for major events, ensuring seamless execution, outstanding customer service, and compliance with departmental, University, NCAA, SEC, and applicable safety standards.
• Collaborate with facilities and operations, custodial services, ticketing, information technology, event security, concessions, and other internal stakeholders to deliver first-class events while protecting the integrity of Athletics operations.
• Manage the department's master facilities calendar within Teamworks, ensuring accurate scheduling, resource allocation, and communication across all Athletics venues.
• Provide direct supervision, leadership, and professional development for the Manager of External Event Operations, fostering a collaborative, service-oriented team dedicated to delivering high-quality events and maximizing the strategic use of Athletics facilities.
• Maintain regular, reliable, and non-disruptive attendance and create and maintain collegial, harmonious working relationships with others.
• Work nights, weekends, and holidays as needed to prepare for and cover events.

Requirements

Assistant Athletics Director

• Bachelor’s degree from an institution of higher learning.
• At least 4 to 5 years of experience in event management, facility operations, or hospitality/event sales, venue booking/scheduling preferably in multipurpose venues, arenas, stadiums, or convention centers.
• At least 1 year of supervisory experience.
• Must be available to work nights and weekends as needed for ticket initiatives and/or support booked events as the on-site manager and primary point of contact.

Senior Director

• Bachelor’s degree from an institution of higher learning.
• At least 3 years of experience in event management, facility operations, or hospitality/event sales, venue booking/scheduling preferably in multipurpose venues, arenas, stadiums, or convention centers.
• At least 1 year of supervisory experience.
• Must be available to work nights and weekends as needed for ticket initiatives and/or support booked events as the on-site manager and primary point of contact.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Sports Management, Business, Hospitality, or related field.
• At least 5 years of experience within a college or professional public assembly facility setting.
• Experience in managing concerts and large shows/events.
• Experience working with artist and show management as well as live event promoters.
• Experience with AutoCad or similar layout creation software.
• Broad knowledge and experience with all aspects of live event production including but not limited to staging, A/V, Ticketing, and Event Management.

Skills

• Knowledge of facility rental agreements, insurance requirements, waivers, and risk mitigation strategies relevant to external event use.
• Knowledge of the facility rental process from contracts through settlement and invoicing.
• Knowledge of university policies, NCAA regulations, and Title IX implications related to third-party events on campus.
• Experience using Teamworks.
• Strong customer service skills.
• Excellent organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to interpret, develop, and maintain operational budgets.
• Ability to analyze financial records and prepare reports.
• Ability to work nights, weekends, and holidays as needed for events.

Benefits

• University contributions to health, dental, life, and disability insurance.
• Tuition waivers for employees and their families.
• 12 official holidays.
• Immediate leave accrual.
• Choice of retirement programs with university contributions ranging from 5 to 10% of employee salary.

About the institution

Founded in 1871, the University of Arkansas is a land grant institution, classified by the Carnegie Foundation among the nation’s top 2 percent of universities with the highest level of research activity. The University of Arkansas works to advance the state and build a better world through education, research, and outreach by providing transformational opportunities and skills, fostering a welcoming climate, and nurturing creativity, discovery, and the spread of new ideas and innovations.

The University of Arkansas campus is located in Fayetteville, a welcoming community ranked as one of the best places to live in the U.S. The growing region surrounding Fayetteville is home to numerous Fortune 500 companies and one of the nation’s strongest economies. Northwest Arkansas is also quickly gaining a national reputation for its focus on the arts and overall quality of life.

As an employer, the University of Arkansas offers a vibrant work environment and a workplace culture that promotes a healthy work-life balance.