Director, Events

Churchill Downs Incorporated•Louisville, KY

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Director of Venue Operations reports to the Vice President of Operations and provides leadership and oversight for approximately 83–85 live race days each year and other year-round venue activities. The role ensures racetrack and guest-facing operations are prepared, coordinated, and executed to high standards of safety, hospitality, efficiency, and service. The Director leads cross-functional race day operations, oversees the Facility Operations Center (FOC), coordinates with internal departments and external partners, and serves as a key leader during live racing and major events. Responsibilities include developing and implementing venue standards, optimizing staffing and resources, improving the guest experience, and partnering with Finance and departmental leaders to manage expenses and improve live racing’s financial performance. The Director also evaluates managerial processes for efficiency and revenue opportunities and supports strategic initiatives for Derby Week and special events. The position is based at Churchill Downs Racetrack in Louisville, Kentucky. It requires work during Derby Week and live racing days throughout the year; special events may also require onsite presence. The schedule may include nights, weekends, and holidays. Work takes place indoors and outdoors and can involve changing or adverse weather, operational noise, extended periods of standing or walking, and physical activity throughout the facility. The role requires obtaining and maintaining a Kentucky racing license, passing applicable background checks, holding a valid driver license, and being at least 18 years old.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Business, Hospitality, Sports Management, Event Management, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Seven or more years of progressive experience in venue operations, event operations, sports, hospitality, entertainment, or a related field, including demonstrated leadership of complex, large-scale operations.
Knowledge of NIMS and Incident Command (IC) structure, crowd management, and fire and safety regulations.
Ability to obtain and maintain a Kentucky racing license and successfully complete applicable background checks.
Valid driver license.
Must be at least 18 years old.
Availability during Derby Week and live racing days throughout the year; special events may require onsite presence. Schedule may include nights, weekends, and holidays.
Ability to lead complex, cross-functional operations in a fast-paced environment.
Strong financial and analytical skills, including evaluating budgets, labor costs, operating expenses, and business performance.
Exceptional organizational and project management skills.
Strong decision-making and problem-solving abilities.
Ability to communicate effectively with executives, department leaders, employees, vendors, contractors, and public safety partners.
Ability to develop operational processes and continuously improve existing practices.
Ability to remain calm and decisive during high-pressure situations and operational disruptions.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, PowerPoint, Smartsheet, and other operational technology platforms, and ability to learn new systems quickly.
Ability to walk, use hands to handle objects, tools, or controls, reach, climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, and talk or hear.
Ability to lift, carry, push, and pull objects and equipment as required.
Ability to work indoors and outdoors and be exposed to changing or adverse weather conditions.
Ability to perform effectively in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment.
Ability to meet the physical demands of regular standing, walking, climbing, bending, kneeling, and moving throughout the facility, including extended periods of physical activity.

Nice To Haves

CPR/AED certification, or ability to obtain it within six months.

Responsibilities

Provide leadership, direction, and accountability to personnel and cross-functional teams supporting live racing and venue operations; set expectations, develop team capabilities, and promote collaboration and continuous improvement.
Manage vendors, contractors, service providers, and event partners to support operational efficiency, service delivery, value, and cost control.
Partner with the Vice President of Operations and Finance to develop, monitor, and analyze race day operating budgets and P&L performance; identify cost drivers, staffing efficiencies, and expense-reduction opportunities.
Monitor race days to ensure partners, departments, and staff deliver high-quality hospitality and guest service.
Develop and manage checklists for facility tasks before each race meet and for closing and cleaning event spaces after race days and meets.
Develop and distribute training materials, schedules, race day reports, post orders, and other operational communications for staff and vendors.
Curate guest amenities for live racing, such as shoe-shining services, handicapping sessions, and giveaways.
Lead and oversee the Facility Operations Center (FOC), including standards for facility communication, incident management, surveillance, operational reporting, and race day coordination; ensure departmental representation and timely issue escalation and resolution.
Oversee the ATM program and vendor relationship, including service levels, revenue performance, operational requirements, and optimization opportunities.
Participate in planning meetings, trainings, and briefings for live racing and venue operations.
Lead the development and execution of the Derby Week credentialing strategy for guests, staff, vendors, and law enforcement; establish credentialing requirements and access protocols and deploy related access-control tools.
Collaborate with the Conversions team to identify and maintain storage locations and inventory.
Lead setup and execution of gate security screening when necessary.
Oversee year-round parking and traffic management, including strategy, lot utilization, staffing, equipment, maintenance, traffic flow, and coordination with stakeholders.
Support Operations leadership in planning and executing Derby Week and other major events, including assigned venue operations, operational readiness, and cross-functional coordination.
Manage key vendors and ensure contract fulfillment for Derby Week operational needs, including golf cart rentals, off-site facility setups, equipment and furniture rentals, commodities, and other event-related services.
Perform other duties as assigned.