Executive Director, UIC Venues and Events

Executive Director, UIC Venues and Events

University of Illinois Chicago (UIC)

Hiring Department: Vice Chancellor for Finance
Location: Chicago, IL USA
Requisition ID: 1028283
Post Closing Date: November 28, 2024

***Please Note: All postings close at 5:00pm CST on the posting close date.***

About University of Illinois Chicago (UIC)

UIC is among the nation’s preeminent urban public research universities, a Carnegie RU/VH research institution, and the largest university in Chicago. UIC serves over 34,000 students, comprising one of the most diverse student bodies in the nation and is designated as a Minority Serving Institution (MSI), an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institution (AANAPSI) and a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI). Through its 16 colleges, UIC produces nationally and internationally recognized multidisciplinary academic programs in concert with civic, corporate and community partners worldwide, including a full complement of health sciences colleges. By emphasizing cutting-edge and transformational research along with a commitment to the success of all students, UIC embodies the dynamic, vibrant and engaged urban university. Recent Best Colleges rankings published by U.S. News & World Report, found UIC climbed up in its rankings among top public schools in the nation and among all national universities. UIC has over 300,000 alumni, and is one of the largest employers in the city of Chicago.

Position Summary:

The Executive Director of UIC Venues and Events will oversee the use, business administration, maintenance, repairs, and renovation of the Credit Union 1 Arena, primarily used by external clients, and UIC Dorin Forum, which external clients and campus departments use. The position will also oversee the use and business administration of other campus meeting spaces in UIC Student Centers, classrooms when available, and outdoor spaces, which campus departments, registered student organizations, and external clients use. The executive director will make strategic decisions that impact facilities to keep university facilities at event capacity and peak financial performance while establishing and leading strategic partnerships with media and clients, including high-profile external entities (promoters, organizers, businesses, governmental agencies, etc.), which have a long-term beneficial effect on the university's strategy and service provision.

Essential Responsibilities:

Strategic Planning and Goal Setting

• Establish the strategic direction of operations of one of the largest space providers in Chicago. Create, implement, and administer department strategic plan.
• Advise senior leadership on policy level and direction regarding event organizing best practices, concepts, and standards to incorporate into university long-range planning.
• Analyze and present financial data for the development of new services, facilities, procedures and costs to identify new business opportunities.

Financial Management

• Develop department annual budgets, including providing monthly financial reporting and forecasting, cash flow management, capital spending, and expenditures for review and approval.
• Oversee contract agreements for Credit Union 1 Arena, UIC Dorin Forum, Meetings and Conferences, and Commencement Events.
• Monitor and evaluate performance against the department annual budget plan.

Client Management and Marketing

• Identify, establish, and develop partnerships with high level promoters and other entities to bring in and retain business.
• Oversee the development and implement marketing plan to advertise facilities and services for event bookings.

Operations Management

• Oversee leadership staff that administers contracts for special services on premises to ensure compliance with the contract terms. Ensure each department functions properly and is cost efficient.
• Collaborate with other units on major renovations and new construction.
• Negotiate with other administrative units on needs of clients for events.
• Policy and Procedure Development/Regulatory Compliance.
• Develop and enforce policies and/ or strategies affecting department and facilities compliance with City and State statutes and rules, as well as with the University and Campus guidelines. Inspect facilities for regulatory compliance.
• Staff Management/ Training.
• Plan, assign and review work of leadership team to ensure that group objectives are met. Hire, train, develop, and manage leadership staff to ensure that a qualified staff exists to meet group objectives.
• Perform other related duties and participate in special projects as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree.
• Minimum of ten years of progressive experience in the management and marketing of arena or large venue and event operation.
• Working knowledge of principles and practices used in successful event management, marketing, and the entertainment industry.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office platforms.
• Strong leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills to maintain effective working relationship with departments, employees, and managers of the internal organization and external constituencies (promoters, customers, police agencies, other city agencies, other academic institutions, vendors / contractors, and federal agencies.
• Ability to prioritize, multi-task, and work with a broad variety of vested interest groups to foster a cooperative environment.
• Ability to work with and maintain highly confidential information is required.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in business with emphasis in finance, accounting, marketing in sports or entertainment industry.
• Experience working in a Public University setting.

The budgeted salary range for this position is $140,000 to $170,000. Final salary offered will be determined by a thorough assessment of available market data, internal salary equity, candidate experience and qualifications, and budget constraints.

For fullest consideration, please submit a complete application and supplemental resume by November 28, 2024.

Direct Link to Apply: uic.csod.com/ux/ats/careersite/1/home/requisition/12487?c=uic

Internal Employees: Go to jobs.illinois.edu Click on Employee Login and log in with NetID and Password. Search for Executive Director of UIC Venues and Events or Requisition ID 1028283.

The University of Illinois at Chicago is an affirmative action, equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, protected veteran status, or status as an individual with a disability.

The University of Illinois may conduct background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer. Background checks will be performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

The University of Illinois System requires candidates selected for hire to disclose any documented finding of sexual misconduct or sexual harassment and to authorize inquiries to current and former employers regarding findings of sexual misconduct or sexual harassment. For more information, visit www.hr.uillinois.edu/cms/One.aspx?portalId=4292&pageId=1411899