Executive Director of Operations and Events

• Execute Strategic & Business Plans. Lead implementation of the Boards long-range strategic and business plans and steward all financial operations including budgeting forecasting and capital planning.
• Build & Lead the Friends of the Fair Foundation Including Capital Campaign Fundraising. Launch and lead a capital campaign cultivate donors secure sponsorships and bring proven major-gift fundraising expertise a core requirement of this role.
• Drive Marketing Brand & Visibility. Lead marketing branding and promotional strategy to grow attendance rentals and WCFPs regional profile.
• Shape the Organizational Structure for Future Growth. Design a modern staffing and leadership structure clarify roles and recruit strategically to build a high-performance team.
• Lead Internal Operations with Strong Management & Culture. Oversee daily operations strengthen processes and build a collaborative customer-first culture.
• Grow Conferences Exhibitions & Year-Round Programming. Expand rentals and mission-aligned events to increase visibility utilization and regional economic impact.

• Facilitate and lead WCFPs Business and Strategic Plans in partnership with the Board of Directors and Washington County and communicate them to all levels of the organization.
• Provide leadership of the entire Fair Park staff; formulate and recommend policies for Board adoption.
• Supervise all fairs exhibits conferences and promotional events including the annual Washington County Fair.
• Maintain a profitable schedule of events with quality service to contractors licensors and the public.
• Measure results against Business and Strategic Plans and report regularly to the Board.

• Serve as WCFPs lead fundraiser cultivating donors securing sponsorships and grants and driving the Friends of the Fair Foundations capital campaign.
• Lead marketing branding and promotional strategy across WCFPs events and the Foundation to build visibility and audience.
• Develop corporate and business relationships that expand sponsorships rentals and partnerships.
• Serve as a visible credible spokesperson with media contractors and community stakeholders.
• Develop and administer the annual operating and capital budgets; oversee facilities and capital project planning.

• Build and lead a high-performing team; hold regular meetings to evaluate progress and address concerns.
• Counsel the Board and staff on staffing hiring and training needs.
• Support Board and committee development; maintain position descriptions and oversee performance reviews.

• Bachelors degree in Marketing Business Public Administration or a related field.
• 58 years of experience in marketing fundraising/development and project management; fairgrounds expo center convention center or major attraction experience preferred.
• Proven fundraising track record including major-gift cultivation sponsorship development and capital campaign leadership.
• Demonstrated marketing brand-building and public relations skills with the ability to grow visibility attendance and community engagement.
• Excellent leadership communication and relationship-building skills with donors sponsors government partners and the community.
• Strong analytical organizational and problem-solving skills with sound business judgment.
• Preferred: experience in a government setting or public-private partnerships knowledge of the agriculture/exposition industry and crisis management experience.

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