Vice President, Programming | Full-Time | Acrisure Arena

Oak View Group•Palm Desert, CA

About The Position

The Vice President, Programming provides strategic leadership for Acrisure Arena’s programming and booking strategy. This executive develops and executes a diverse calendar of concerts, family shows, sporting events, comedy, special events, and other live entertainment, with the goals of maximizing venue utilization, attendance, revenue, and market impact. The role represents Acrisure Arena in the live entertainment industry and cultivates relationships with promoters, agents, managers, touring representatives, event producers, and OVG partners. It works closely with arena leadership and cross-functional teams to align programming decisions with strategic, operational, financial, and guest experience objectives. The position leads event acquisition, deal negotiation, event evaluation, calendar planning, and the development of new programming and ancillary revenue opportunities. It oversees programming budgets and financial performance, analyzes event results and market trends, and advises the General Manager and senior leadership. The Vice President also provides executive leadership to the programming function and promotes effective collaboration across internal departments and external partners. Work is performed in an arena and office environment. The position may involve attending events, meetings, industry functions, and other activities outside standard business hours, as well as travel for industry meetings, conferences, relationship development, and event-related business. A flexible schedule, including evenings, weekends, holidays, and extended hours as required by the event calendar, is necessary. The role pays an annual salary of $175,000–$200,000 and is bonus eligible. The position is open until December 31, 2026.

Requirements

10 or more years of experience in arenas, venues, live entertainment, event booking, programming, or event development.
Demonstrated success booking and developing events for an arena, large-scale entertainment venue, or comparable facility.
Established relationships within the live entertainment industry, including promoters, agents, managers, touring representatives, event producers, and other key stakeholders.
Experience negotiating complex event agreements and evaluating event economics, financial projections, deal structures, and risk.
Strong knowledge of live entertainment touring, venue operations, ticketing, event marketing, event settlement, and revenue-generating functions.
Proven leadership ability, including developing teams, influencing cross-functional partners, and working with substantial autonomy and accountability.
Strong business acumen, strategic judgment, communication, negotiation, relationship-building, and decision-making skills.
Ability to manage multiple high-priority opportunities in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
Ability to work a flexible schedule, including evenings, weekends, holidays, and extended hours as required by the event calendar.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in business, sports management, hospitality, entertainment, marketing, or a related field preferred; equivalent education, training, and relevant experience may be considered.
Significant leadership experience strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

Develop and lead the arena’s overall programming and booking strategy, setting short- and long-term priorities aligned with business objectives, market position, and financial goals.
Pursue and secure a diverse mix of ticketed and non-ticketed events to maximize venue utilization.
Direct event procurement and negotiate deal terms, contracts, and lease agreements with industry partners.
Build and maintain relationships that position Acrisure Arena as a preferred destination for touring content; serve as a primary liaison with promoters, agents, talent representatives, touring personnel, and OVG booking resources.
Identify and pursue new event concepts and programming opportunities, including distinctive local, regional, national, and international content that expands the venue’s audience.
Evaluate prospective events based on market intelligence, historical performance, routing, competition, projected attendance, ticketing strategy, operational requirements, and financial return.
Lead development of the annual event calendar and strategic programming plan, balancing event opportunities with tenant schedules, operational needs, dark days, and venue priorities.
Partner with Marketing, Ticketing, Premium Sales, Partnerships, Operations, Finance, Food & Beverage, Security, and other departments on event planning, ticket-sale strategy, marketing, execution, and settlement.
Provide strategic input on show-related marketing, positioning, sales collateral, public relations, and promotional efforts.
Collaborate with local and regional partners, tourism and business organizations, sports organizations, government entities, and community stakeholders to attract major events.
Develop opportunities for ancillary and non-event-day revenue through special events, private events, meetings, corporate functions, experiential activations, and other appropriate arena uses.
Participate in determining event-specific operational and staffing requirements and communicate programming commitments to internal stakeholders.
Lead the programming function by establishing priorities, developing talent, setting performance expectations, and fostering a collaborative, accountable, high-performing culture.
Represent Acrisure Arena and OVG at industry events, conferences, meetings, and other external engagements.
Develop, manage, and monitor programming budgets, forecasts, and financial performance, including event projections, facility rental, ancillary revenue, and event-related expenses.
Oversee event financial analysis and cost accounting to evaluate opportunities, manage risk, and inform booking and deal-making decisions.
Monitor event performance, attendance, revenue, expenses, and market trends; use post-event analysis to refine programming strategy.
Partner with Finance and arena leadership on annual operating plans, forecasts, financial reporting, and long-range programming initiatives.
Provide strategic guidance and recommendations to the General Manager and senior leadership regarding programming opportunities, market conditions, competition, and business development.
Maintain booking processes, agreements, records, reporting, and departmental practices in accordance with OVG policies, contractual requirements, and venue procedures.
Promote cross-functional communication through planning meetings, event reviews, and coordination with internal departments and external partners.
Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned in support of Acrisure Arena and OVG business objectives.