Associate Director

Centers USA•Eau Claire, WI

18h•Onsite

About The Position

The Associate Director of Events & Programs leads the planning, scheduling, and execution of all internal and external events; manages programs and the fitness center; oversees member services and front of house operations; and drives marketing, promotions, and rental revenue growth. The role focuses on creating exceptional event and guest experiences while aligning programming, rentals, and membership operations with the strategic goals of the Sonnentag Center. This position reports to the General Manager and assumes leadership responsibilities in their absence. This position will work on-site at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire’s Sonnentag Center, a major athletics, recreation, and events center, which opened July, 2024. The new Sonnentag Center serves as a venue for university and community events, concerts, and home to Eau Claire Men’s and Women’s Athletics.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required.
Minimum 5+ years of progressive professional experience working in event or membership management/administration
Demonstrated supervision and leadership experience
CPR/AED and First Aid Instructor or ability to get certified as an instructor
Experience with rental agreements and contracts
Effectiveness in networking and collaboration
Exceptional communication skill
Ability to problem solve at a macro level
Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail
Ability to motivate and lead employees and hold them accountable
Entrepreneurial spirit and enthusiasm
Ability to prioritize and meet deadlines
Accounting knowledge; capability of understanding budgets
Proficiency with Microsoft Office

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree preferred

Responsibilities

Serve as primary contact for athletics, recreation, community rentals, and internal/external events
Foster and maintain relationships with clients and stakeholders.
Immerse themselves and the operation into the client community
Schedule, plan, and coordinate facility rentals, ensuring smooth event execution and excellent client service
Assist the General Manager with ticketed event operations
Lead sales and revenue strategies for non-ticketed rentals
Oversee operations of the fitness center and group fitness studios
Manage member services, registration systems, billing, and customer service standards
Implement strategies to grow program participation, memberships, and partner bookings
Lead development of marketing and promotional plans for events, programs, and memberships
Coordinate communications, social media, advertising campaigns, and market analytics reporting
Support sponsorship activations and community engagement campaigns
Develop and monitor budgets for events, programs, and memberships
Draft, negotiate, and execute rental agreements and event contracts
Prepare quarterly and annual reports as required by the client and corporate office
Approve timecards and ensure payroll accuracy
Recruit, train, supervise, and schedule event staff, front‑of‑house teams, and student employees
Set event staffing levels and provide on‑site leadership during major events
Certify staff in CPR/AED/First Aid or ensure compliance with certification requirements