General Manager (Event Services Leader)

Indiana University Indianapolis is a public, urban R1 research university and a core campus of the Indiana University system, located in downtown Indianapolis. 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. 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 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 requires the ability to move objects weighing up to 25 pounds.

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