Director Special Events

MSG Entertainment Holdings•New York City, NY

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Director, Live is responsible for booking special events across MSG Entertainment venues and managing each event from initial opportunity through final settlement. The role identifies artists, events, promoters, and partners; coordinates with internal departments and external clients; recommends event scaling; supports estimates, budgets, and forecasts; negotiates deals; and oversees event implementation and settlement. The Director also develops business strategy, manages projects and operations, researches market trends, and builds relationships with a diverse client base to grow booking revenue and retain clients. The position leads cross-functional coordination across teams including Live Bookings, Marquee Events, Marketing, Partnerships, Finance, Legal, and PR. It oversees event production, décor, catering, staffing, ticketing, publicity, creative, group sales, sponsor needs, and on-site activations. The Director maintains event records and budget accuracy, manages contracts with Legal, attends P&L meetings, implements initiatives and workflow improvements, and leads and develops a high-performing team. The role requires an on-site management presence, particularly on event days, and includes providing exceptional experiences for guests, partners, and team members while following appearance and presentation guidelines.

Requirements

7–10 years of experience booking and managing a venue event calendar.
Extensive knowledge of music, comedy, and entertainment genres.
Extensive knowledge of and visibility within the artist, agent, and manager community.
Comfort working in a 24/7 environment.
Ability to provide on-site management at the venue, particularly on event days.
Strong marketing background and creative resources.
Dependable, highly efficient, and reliable problem-solver, comfortable handling new or time-sensitive situations and exercising discretion with confidential materials and company information.
Excellent organizational and management skills.
Ability to manage multiple projects while working with cross-functional teams.
Strong teamwork mindset and excellent leadership skills.
Proficiency in Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, and Word.

Responsibilities

Project-manage event tasks from ideation through execution and oversee every aspect of the booking process.
Identify and pursue new business opportunities, source promoters, artists, and event partners, and convert leads into booked events.
Maintain active event files and track estimates, contracts, insurance, ticket sales, and production logistics.
Research industry and marketplace trends and use findings to inform booking decisions.
Oversee budgets from initial cost estimates through final settlement and maximize AOCF opportunities.
Coordinate with internal cross-functional teams, including Live Bookings, Marquee Events, Marketing, Partnerships, Finance, Legal, and PR.
Facilitate communication with event promoters about production needs, issues, ancillary needs, and sponsorship needs.
Oversee event implementation, including venue walk-throughs and meetings, production and décor, catering, front- and back-of-house staffing, ticket scaling and sales, PR, creative, and group sales.
Manage post-production wrap-up, coordination, and correspondence.
Develop and maintain artist and brand relationships and a pipeline of prospective business using industry relationships and market research.
Negotiate artist and event deals and contracts, working with MSG Entertainment Legal on financial terms and contract preparation, administration, and execution.
Manage production costs and maximize event performance.
Attend P&L meetings with Facilities and Finance.
Develop and implement business initiatives, ensuring successful planning, execution, and rollout to support Live organization growth and efficiency.
Implement short- and long-term programs and processes to optimize department workflow.
Organize and facilitate meetings, prepare agendas and notes, document action items, draft correspondence, and follow up on completion.
Lead and develop a high-performing team by setting expectations, coaching, and fostering accountability, collaboration, continuous development, performance, and engagement.
Maintain an on-site management presence, especially on event days, and provide exceptional experiences while adhering to appearance and presentation guidelines.