Event Manager

The Event Manager is primary event operational authority for all events on the Fairgrounds. This position is responsible for the end to end execution of largescale events that carry significant financial public safety and legal liability for the agency; operating with full independent decision making authority over department budgets high value contract negotiations emergency protocols; working alongside the Programming Manager to develop long term event scheduling strategies designed to generate revenue. The Event Manager position manages event staff including guest services parking operations/facilities and box office. The consequence of error at this level is substantial as operational missteps regulatory noncompliance or event disruptions directly impact agency revenue public safety and state asset integrity.

This position may offer the ability to work remotely within Arizona based upon the departments business needs and continual meeting of expected performance measures.

The State of Arizona strives for a work culture that affords employees flexibility autonomy and trust. Across our many agencies boards and commissions many State employees participate in the States Remote Work Program and are able to work remotely in their homes in offices and in hoteling spaces. All work including remote work should be performed within Arizona unless an exception is properly authorized in advance.

Serve as the lead operational authority on the floor with venue clients promoters and agency leadership; autonomously negotiate real-time layout adjustments resolve production rider conflicts and handle escalated structural technical or venue challenges on the fly.
Operational Policy & Floor Enforcement: Formulate implement and enforce live site standard operating procedures crowd management protocols and safety rules across all event footprints holding venue staff promoters and production crews accountable to agency execution standards during loading show run and strike.
OnSite Personnel & Production Command: Direct supervise and evaluate permanent event coordinators technical stage crews floor managers and third party contractors during live operations; exercise direct tactical authority on the event floor to resolve workforce bottlenecks manage shift changes and enforce performance standards.
Oversee evaluate and enforce operational parameters for specialized technical production contractors and labor crewsincluding audio/visual engineers lighting designers pyrotechnicians and union/nonunion laborauthorizing the use of high risk show elements (e.g. hazmat handling indoor pyrotechnics drone displays and high voltage power ties) to ensure full compliance with artist technical riders state safety codes and federal regulations.
Exercise final technical authority to halt or modify production setups stage builds or pyrotechnic/laser effects that exceed facility structural load limits breach state fire codes or pose life safety hazards to the public or crew.
Direct event fiscal planning alongside the Booking Manager negotiating and refining facility contract parameters to maximize venue profitability and protect agency operational interests.

Knowledge of:

Comprehensive knowledge of largescale concert and event production methodologies including touring production riders heavy rigging load capacities multitier audio/visual/lighting setups staging mechanics artist load in/strike dynamics indoor/outdoor acoustic dynamics pyrotechnic/special effects safety codes complex crowd management psychology and site logistics for high occupancy touring artists and music venues.

Skills in:

Advanced skill in negotiating and aligning operational deliverables with vendors security providers and labor groups to ensure precise delivery windows optimal loading and loadout schedules.
Mastery in managing end to end event logistics under compressed turnarounds; expert skill in directing spatial layout plans site traffic flows freight staging equipment loading and the dynamic positioning of heavy physical assets across multiacre grounds;
Live Operations & Logistical Crisis Resolution: Exceptional skill in resolving high pressure logistical bottlenecks with clients deescalating disputes managing crowd flow congestions and executing rapid contingency plans during live event disruptions.

Ability to:

Operate autonomously with minimal administrative direction and make critical time sensitive safety and financial decisions in fast-paced environments;
Direct motivate and mentor a diverse workforce of permanent professional staff technical specialists and large numbers of temporary or contract personnel;
Communicate Conceptually: Ability to present complex event concepts public safety initiatives and operational blueprints clearly and persuasively internally and externally;
Conceptually reengineer failing event processes manage abrupt resource changes and design contingency operational models under stressful public conditions.

Minimum 10 years in large scale event production (10000).

Arizona State Drivers license.

If this position requires driving or the use of a vehicle as an essential function of the job to conduct State business then the following requirements apply:Drivers License Requirements.

All newly hired State employees are subject to and must successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify).

The State of Arizona offers a comprehensive benefits package to include:

Sick Leave
Vacation with 10 paid holidays per year
Health and dental insurance
Retirement plan
Life Insurance and long-term disability insurance
Optional employee benefits include short-term disability insurance deferred compensation plans and supplemental life insurance

By providing the option of a full-time or part-time remote work schedule employees enjoy improved work/life balance report higher job satisfaction and are more productive. Remote work is a management option and not an employee entitlement or right. An agency may terminate a remote work agreement at its discretion.

Learn more about the Paid Parental Leave programhere. For a complete list of benefits provided by The State of Arizona please visit our benefits page

Positions in this classification participate in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS)
Please note enrollment eligibility will become effective after 27 weeks of employment

If you have any questions please feel free to contact Rose Ibe at