Director of Special Event Sales

The Director of Special Event Sales provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for the planning, promotion, contracting, and execution of special events within the Athletics Department. This role is responsible for maximizing revenue generation and utilization of athletics facilities through proactive sales, relationship development, and policy leadership. The Director exercises independent judgment in developing event strategies, negotiating contracts, managing vendor relationships, and serving as the primary liaison to campus partners, community organizations, and external clients. The position ensures all events meet institutional, conference, and NCAA standards while delivering high-quality experiences that reflect the department's mission and brand.

View full job description.

Required Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in Sports Management, Business, Event Management, Hospitality, or a related field.

• 2 years of experience in event sales, venue operations, athletics, or large-scale event management.

Required Certifications and Licenses:

Valid Drivers License

Department Preferences: 

• Master's degree in hospitality, sales, marketing, sports management, or related field.

• Experience in conventions, banquets, entertainment, tradeshow/meetings with responsibility for scheduling, arranging, promoting meetings, lectures, exhibits, conventions, concerts or other related events.

• 3-4 years' experience in multipurpose venues, arenas, stadiums or convention centers. 

• Event management experience with large scale collegiate athletic events.

• Extensive experience with special events, concerts, and venue revenue generation.

• Experience with contracts, 3rd party staffing and operations.

• Prior experience with event development and successful revenue generation

• Some experience planning and/or working public events

• Experience with facility/event scheduling programs

• Experience with staffing for high level events

• Experience with collegiate venue operations and facility operations

Skills:

• Able to multi-task with various projects while maintaining high accessibility

• Excellent internal and external customer service skills to ensure that events are in line with the goals of the department

• Goal and task oriented

• Competent on the spot decision making and problem solving

• Must be able to work nights, weekends, and some holidays on a frequent basis

• Highly organized

• Ability to communication professionally

• Negotiating/working with external entities

• Direct communication style; able to give clear specific directions in hectic settings

• Basic budgeting and accounting skills

• Good written and verbal reporting skills for project evaluations

Hiring Contingent Upon a Background Check: Yes

Norman Campus: If you are selected as a finalist for a position that supports the Norman Campus, you will be subject to The University of Oklahoma Norman Campus Tuberculosis Testing policy. To view the policy, visit https://hr.ou.edu/Policies-Handbooks/TB-Testing.

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