General Manager (Event Services Leader)

Department InformationThe University Events team, provides strategic leadership to protect, advance, and elevate the university's brand and reputation in Indiana and around the world. The University Events team strives to create world-class events and experiences for Indiana University (IU).
Indiana University Indianapolis is a public, urban R1 research university and a core campus of the Indiana University system, located in downtown Indianapolis. Established in 2024 as an independent campus, IU Indianapolis builds on more than 50 years of academic excellence, research innovation, and community engagement. The university serves a diverse student population and offers a wide range of undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs, with particular strength in health sciences, technology, business, and STEM disciplines.

IU Indianapolis Athletics is an integral part of campus life and institutional identity. Competing at the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I level as members of the Horizon League, the Jaguars provide a highly competitive athletics program in a major metropolitan setting, fostering student-athlete success, school spirit, and community engagement.
The James T. Morris Arena is a state-of-the-art, multipurpose facility designed to serve as a central hub for athletics, campus life, and community engagement.

Key features include:Approximately 4,500-seat capacity with significant retractable seating for flexible configurationsCompetition venue for basketball and volleyballLocker rooms, training facilities, and administrative offices for IU Indianapolis Athletics and USA Track and FieldModern concourses, concessions, premium spaces, and support infrastructureThe arena is designed to host a wide range of events, including collegiate athletics, high school championships, concerts, entertainment events, community gatherings, and university functions.
Job SummaryIndiana University Indianapolis (IU Indianapolis) invites applications for the position of General Manager of the new James T. Morris Arena, a premier multipurpose venue scheduled to open in October 2026. This position plays a pivotal leadership role in launching and operating the arena, overseeing all aspects of venue operations, event strategy, revenue generation, and guest experience. The General manager provides strategic and operational leadership for all aspects of the arena, including: venue operations and leadership, event strategy and revenue generation, financial management, facility operations and capital planning, event operations and guest experience, campus and community engagement, compliance and institutional alignment, and safety, security and risk management.

Department-Specific ResponsibilitiesProvides overall leadership and direction for arena operations, including event management, facility operations, and guest experienceEstablishes and implements policies, procedures, and operating standards for a first-class multipurpose venueRecruits, develops, and supervises full-time staff, part-time employees, and event-based personnelLeads the development and execution of a comprehensive event booking strategy, including non-athletic eventsBuilds and maintains relationships with promoters, event organizers, governing bodies, and community partnersMaximizes venue utilization, revenue generation, and event-day profitabilityCollaborates with university leadership on sponsorship, premium seating, and ancillary revenue opportunitiesDevelops and manages the arena's annual operating budgetLeads capital planning efforts, including lifecycle replacement and long-term facility investmentsMonitors financial performance and implement strategies to achieve revenue and expense targetsOversees all facility operations, including maintenance, conversions, and event readinessCoordinate with university facilities and external vendors to ensure efficient and high-quality service deliveryManage vendor relationships and service contracts (e.g., concessions, custodial, security, technical services)Provide leadership for comprehensive venue safety and security programsCoordinates with campus public safety and local agencies (law enforcement, fire, EMS)Oversees emergency preparedness, incident command protocols, and training exercisesEnsures compliance with all applicable safety codes, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements, and university policiesOversees all event logistics, including scheduling, staffing, conversions, and event executionCoordinates parking, transportation, and ingress/egress planningDelivers a high-quality guest and fan experience across all eventsServes as the primary liaison between the arena and university departmentsSupports athletics programs and student-athlete needsPromotes the arena as a community asset and regional destination for eventsEnsures compliance with all university, NCAA, and Horizon League policies and regulationsRepresents IU Indianapolis Athletics in a professional manner and contributes to departmental initiatives
General ResponsibilitiesProvides highest level of operational leadership and coordination of assigned staff members to define event services methodologies and standards; provides direction and guidance on high priority event services projects/initiativesEstablishes short-term business plans and long-term operational objectives, including managing project timelines/deliverables and developing resource plans for multi-project/multi-phase event services initiativesConducts a variety of personnel actions to include, but not limited to hiring, promotion, performance management, and dismissalManages high level assignments and allocation of event services resources, including negotiating and coordinating initiatives that involve staff in other departments/areas/teams; may coordinate large-scale event services projects with a wide audiences in support of academic initiativesMakes budgetary recommendations/proposals based on resource needs and ensures cost containmentResearches and stays up-to-date on new industry event services standards, regulations, and specifications; responsible for the implementation of new protocols/procedures to address business needsWorks collaboratively with other event services leaders across departments in recommending standards, best practices, and related policies/proceduresPrepares management reports and summaries for senior administration, executive, steering and advisory committees; acts as advisor to executive committees; serves on various university committees, communities of practice, and task forces related to event services
QualificationsCombinations of related education and experience may be considered. Education beyond the minimum required may be substituted for work experience. Work experience beyond the minimum required may be substituted for education.

EDUCATION Required Bachelor's degree in business or a related fieldPreferred Master's degree in business, sport management or a related field
WORK EXPERIENCE Required 4 years in business, conferences, events, customer service, or a related field1 year of management experience in a related fieldPreferred 5 years of progressive experience in arena, stadium, or large public assembly venue managementExperience opening a new venue or leading major facility renovationExperience in NCAA Division I athletics or comparable environments
SKILLS Required Proficient written and verbal communication skillsMaintains a high degree of professionalismDemonstrates time management and priority setting skillsDemonstrates a high commitment to qualityExcellent collaboration and team building skillsExcellent organizational skillsEffectively coaches and delivers constructive feedbackInstills commitment to organizational goalsDemonstrates excellent judgment and decision making skillsEffective conflict management skillsBuilds and manages effective teamsPreferred Familiarity with venue management and event booking systems
Working Conditions / DemandsThis role regularly requires the ability to effectively communicate. This role frequently requires the ability to handle equipment. This role frequently requires the ability to remain stationary and ascend/descend ladders/stairs. This role requires the ability to move objects weighing up to 25 pounds. The role requires the ability to detect items in close proximity as well as far away; discern between colors; detect objects in peripheral space of self; discern items in detail; and to have good depth perception. The person in this role must be able to perform the essential functions with or without an accommodation. This role requires working in both office and live event environments, including exposure to high noise levels and varying weather conditions, as well as frequent movement between indoor and outdoor areas.

Additional InformationThis is a unique opportunity to shape the vision, culture, and long-term success of a new collegiate arena in one of the nation's leading sports and events markets.

Work LocationIndianapolis, Indiana

Advertised Salary$70,000.00 - 85,000.00 annually

Benefits OverviewFor full-time staff employees, Indiana University offers a wide array of benefits including:Comprehensive medical and dental insuranceHealth savings account with generous IU contributionsHealthcare and dependent care flexible spending accountsBasic group life insurance paid by IUVoluntary supplemental life, long-term disability, critical illness, and supplemental accidental death & dismemberment insuranceBase retirement plan with generous IU contributions, subject to vestingVoluntary supplemental retirement plan optionsTuition subsidy for employees and family members taking IU courses10 paid holidays plus a paid winter break each yearGenerous paid time off plansPaid leave for new parents and IU-sponsored volunteer eventsEmployee assistance program (EAP)Learn more about our benefits by reviewing the IU Benefit Programs Brochure.