Education

Revised 2025

IOWA STATE FAIR AUTHORITY JOB DESCRIPTION

POSITION: EVENT SERVICES MANAGER

TYPE OF POSITION: FULL-TIME

HOURS OF WORK: 8:00 A.M. TO 4:30 P.M. INCLUDING SOME

EVENING AND WEEKEND WORK. (EXTENDED HOURS

DURING FAIR SEASON)

EFFECTIVE DATE:

IMMEDIATE SUPERVISOR: FRANK ROBEY

NAME OF EMPLOYEE:

WORK DUTIES: Under general direction from the Chief Mission Officer,

is responsible for leading the strategic direction and execution of the Event

Services Department. This role includes overseeing budgeting, strategic

planning, vendor relationships, and ensuring a seamless event experience for

clients. The manager will supervise the Event Services Coordinators, drive

improvements in processes, and maintain strong relationships with both

internal and external stakeholders.

TIME % DUTIES

Strategic Planning and Leadership:

• Develop and execute the strategic direction of the Event Sales Department to meet

organizational goals and client needs.

• Identify program efficiencies and opportunities to better reach underserved clients

and events.

• Lead inter- and intra-departmental meetings to discuss past and future events,

ensuring collaboration across teams.

• Stay current on event planning standards, trends, and best practices to keep events

innovative and effective.

Team Management and Supervision:

• Supervise, direct, and coordinate the activities of Event Services Coordinators to

ensure successful execution of department objectives.

• Oversee and support a team of Event Services Coordinators, providing guidance

and leadership to ensure smooth operations.

Revised 2025

• Address and intervene in problematic situations with promoters, clients, or lessees

to ensure positive resolutions.

• Establish communication protocols and operating procedures to improve event

management processes and enhance team efficiency.

Event Operations and Execution:

• Determine fiscal requirements and prepare budgetary recommendations for

events.

• Develop and conduct post-event surveys to gather feedback and share findings

with relevant departments for improvements.

• Oversee post-event analysis, budget recaps, and participant feedback,

incorporating learning into future event action plans.

Client and Stakeholder Relations:

• Build and maintain strategic partnerships with organizations such as CVBs, Iowa

Tourism, and other community leaders to evaluate needs and enhance event

opportunities.

• Work with the marketing team to develop and design promotional materials that

support event goals.

Innovation and Process Improvement:

• Conduct studies and develop feasibility studies to identify new and profitable

event opportunities.

• Explore and implement new technologies and industry best practices to improve

event planning and execution.

• Maintain an event calendar and implement systems to anticipate long-term

planning needs for efficient event management.

• Prepare, maintain, and analyze contact database reports to create metrics,

strategies, and tactics for program delivery and assessment.

EXPERIENCE

Minimum of five (5) years of professional level management in event management, event

planning/hospitality, ideally with a convention center, performing arts facility or other

multi- purpose assembly facility is desirable.

EDUCATION/TRAINING

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Event

• Event management certification preferred; CMP, CMM etc.
  

OR

Revised 2025

• an equivalent combination of education and experience substituting the

(thirty semester or equivalent hours equals one year) of the required

education.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Proven experience as an event manager.

Thorough understanding of the complexity of events and the hours that go into

successful planning and activation.

Ability to build and maintain strategic partnerships.

Knowledge in budget management and conceptual understanding of

meeting/exhibit costs to overall budget maintenance.

Strong organizational skills

Strong interpersonal and diplomatic skills

Demonstrates abilities in collaborative team building.

Ability to manage multiple projects.

Demonstrates a willingness to embrace change and adapt strategies as needed.

Ability to elicit cooperation from a wide variety of sources.

Demonstrated ability to communicate well with the public, and other departments

and agencies.

Demonstrated ability to express ideas effectively, both orally and in writing,

including strong grammar and punctuation skills.

Demonstrated ability to make decisions in stressful situations.

Demonstrated ability to operate equipment relating to area of responsibility, i.e.

computer, calculator, etc. Proficient in Social Tables, Microsoft Access, Word,

Power Point, and Excel programs.

Familiarity with contract negotiation.

Work a flexible schedule including early morning, days, evenings, overnight,

weekends, some Holidays and extended workdays.

Travel may be required.