Assistant Director, Event Management | McCormick Place - Oak View Group

Oak View Group:

Oak View Group is the global leader in venue development, management, and premium hospitality services for the live event industry. Offering an unmatched, 360-degree solution set for a collection of world-class owned venues and a client roster that includes the most influential, highest attended arenas, convention centers, music festivals, performing arts centers, and cultural institutions on the planet.

Position Summary:

Assistant Director of Event Management is primarily responsible for overseeing all aspects of post-booking stage service delivery methods. Directs, manages, supervises, and coordinates the activities and operations of Event Services assuring the highest quality service program to assure rebooking of events. Provides highly responsible staff assistance and support to Director of Event Operations and Assistant General Manager.

 

This position pay a yearly salary of $115,000 to $125,000 and is bonus eligible.

 

For FT roles: Benefits: Health, Dental and Vision insurance, 401(k) savings plan, 401(k) matching, and paid time off (vacation days, sick days, and 11 holidays).

 

This position will remain open until April 18, 2025.

About the Venue:

 

 

McCormick Place located in downtown Chicago is the largest and most flexible convention center in North America., With over 2.6 million square feet of exhibition space, the campus proudly hosts some of the world’s largest and most prestigious conventions, meetings, and trade shows, welcoming approximately 3 million visitors to Chicago every year. 

Responsibilities:

• Exercise direct supervision and oversight for Event Managers and or Sr. Event Managers and in-house show event coordinator, servicing almost 400 events per year.
• Recruit, interview, train, motivate and evaluate Event Managers and or Sr Event Managers; provide or coordinate staff training; work with employees to correct deficiencies; implement discipline and termination procedures.
• Create a training module for newly onboarding Event Managers
• Training and continuing education with the Event Management Software (Momentus).
• Oversee the event diagramming software (AutoCAD) and training for the department.
• Act as the direct liaison for larger contracted corporate/association events with over 2000 guests or more.
• Run the bi-weekly Event Manager Team Meetings (when DOE is away from office).
• Demonstrate continuous effort to improve operations, decrease turnaround times, streamline work processes, and work cooperatively and jointly to provide quality seamless customer service.
• Conduct planning and operational meetings as required to ensure smooth coordination of event activities.
• Monitor set up and installation progress, guide clients in preparation for their events.
• Primary liaison with our in-house electricians and trade unions and client preferred A/V company for any AV related issues or services.
• Handle event signage and content for the interior and exterior signage functions for contracted clients on site
• Create and develop SOP for event operations with customers (signage/digital signage)
• Oversee the event department shadow program for training and development.
• Schedule and attend meetings for planning events, pre-cons and post-cons. 
• Oversight for all client/customer service orders and ancillary billing services for closeout of events.
• Review and approve final billing to facility users prior to settlement or release of invoice.
• Ensure accuracy in computing of costs for post-event billing of services and equipment rental charges.
• Approve floor plans and event diagrams for review and submission to the Fire Marshal’s office.
• Attend catering/event joint meetings.
• Plan and coordinate client FAM tours with Sales division and Choose Chicago CVB to help market the venue.
• Consult with exhibit managers, promoters, convention representatives, and others concerning physical set-up needs and requirements for licensed areas; prepare work orders and cost-estimates accordingly.
• Work closely with the general public by monitoring services provided and addressing complaints in a timely manner.
• Manage and participate in the development and implementation of goals, objectives, policies, and priorities of all events related programs and activities.
• Routinely serve as Manager on Duty

Qualifications:

• Minimum of 7 years of increasingly responsible experience in event management in an arena, stadium, convention center or other multi-purpose public assembly facility
• Bachelor’s degree or better from an accredited college or university
• Graduate of IAVM Venue Management School (VMS), preferred.
• Certification CMP and CVP, Preferred
• Possession of, or ability to obtain a valid CPR certificate.
• Knowledge of customer service practices
• Ability to prepare, track, control and analyze budgets.
• Great communication skills

Strengthened by our Differences. United to Make a Difference:

At OVG, we understand that to continue positively disrupting the sports and live entertainment industry, we need a diverse team to help us do it. We also believe that inclusivity drives innovation, strengthens our people, improves our service, and raises our excellence. Our success is rooted in creating environments that reflect and celebrate the diverse communities in which we operate and serve, and this is the reason we are committed to amplifying voices from all different backgrounds.

Equal Opportunity Employer:

Oak View Group is committed to equal employment opportunity. We will not discriminate against employees or applicants for employment on any legally recognized basis (“protected class”) including, but not limited to veteran status, uniform service member status, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information or any other protected class under federal, state, or local law.