Director of Entertainment & Special Events

FREMONT EXPERIENCE•Las Vegas, NV

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Director of Entertainment Operations provides strategic, financial, technical, and operational leadership for Department 27. The role oversees entertainment programming, talent acquisition, technical production, audio and lighting systems, and vendor partnerships, with direct impact on revenue, guest experience, brand perception, and risk management. The Director combines strategic leadership with hands-on oversight of high-value technical assets and live entertainment operations. The position has accountability for departmental financial performance and cost control; revenue-driven programming; protection, maintenance, optimization, and upgrades of technical infrastructure; vendor pricing and service levels; and contractual, insurance, and operational compliance. The Director manages the department’s operating and capital budgets, buys talent, directs entertainment programming and technical production, leads operational teams, and collaborates with member properties and other FSE departments. The work combines office-based responsibilities with on-site venue operations. Evening, weekend, and holiday work is required based on event schedules. Candidates must pass a pre-employment drug test and background investigation. The employer offers medical, dental, vision, prescription drug, 401(k), employee referral, and education reimbursement benefits.

Requirements

Extensive experience in live entertainment operations, production management, or technical leadership.
Proven success managing large operational and capital budgets.
Advanced knowledge of audio, lighting, DSP, and live production systems.
Strong contract negotiation and vendor management experience.
Demonstrated leadership, strategic thinking, and cross-functional collaboration skills.
Ability to work evenings, weekends, and holidays based on event schedules.
Must pass a pre-employment drug test and background investigation.

Responsibilities

Provide executive-level oversight of Department 27 operations and improve entertainment offerings.
Monitor departmental performance and implement course corrections; serve as the primary contact for entertainment-related requests from member properties.
Lead special projects assigned by executive leadership.
Create and manage the annual operating budget, track spending, forecast expenses and operational needs, and submit capital expenditure requests.
Secure sponsorship opportunities and negotiate vendor pricing, long-term agreements, and preferred service arrangements.
Serve as Talent Buyer for nightly entertainment and headliner shows; identify talent sources and review, approve, and execute entertainment contracts.
Build and maintain exclusive FSE house bands; oversee nightly acts and DJs; maintain entertainment calendars and schedules; and select and program mall music.
Provide technical advances for headliner shows and create or approve audio and lighting designs for FSE stages.
Oversee procurement, installation, maintenance, repair, and upgrades of audio and lighting equipment and infrastructure.
Oversee mall audio programming, DSP configuration, specialized cues, and stage feed integration; coordinate with Show Operations to support reliable stage, canopy, and mall audio systems.
Provide technical and operational leadership to the Ent Ops Manager, Supervisors, Technical Leads, and Maintenance Leads; establish standards and operational best practices.
Oversee nightly entertainment operations for quality, safety, and reliability.
Develop vendor relationships, negotiate pricing and service agreements, and ensure vendor performance, service, and compliance.
Coordinate special-event requirements with FSE departments and ensure insurance, contractual, and compliance requirements are met.
Maintain accurate records, files, and documentation, and attend meetings as required.