Assistant Director of Game Operations, Championships & Events
Duke Athletics
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Job summary
Duke Athletics in Durham, NC seeks an Assistant Director of Game Operations, Championships & Events to lead planning, execution, and evaluation of athletic events across Duke venues. You will mentor student staff and coordinate with campus partners to deliver exceptional guest and participant experiences.
The role requires strong project management, budget oversight, and the ability to oversee multiple championships, game operations, and facility tasks in a fast-paced environment.
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree required.
- Experience in athletics event management, facility operations, championship administration, or related field.
- Experience with NCAA and conference championship events preferred.
- Experience supervising student staff or interns.
Responsibilities
- Lead game day operations and staffing plans.
- Oversee facility operations, scheduling, and safety compliance.
- Coordinate championships and event budgets across venues.
- Collaborate with campus partners and vendors for event logistics.
- Mentor student staff and provide leadership development.
Skills
Education
Job description
Work Arrangement: On-Site
Requisition Number: 275421
Regular or Temporary: Regular
Location:
Durham, NC, US, 27710
Personnel Area: CENTRAL ADMIN MANAGEMENT CTR
Date: Oct 1, 2026
At Duke, we celebrate individuality and the unique perspectives each member of our community brings to our world-class academic and athletics environment. As the Assistant Director of Game Operations, Championships & Events, you will play a pivotal role in creating exceptional experiences for student-athletes, coaches, fans, campus partners, and visitors.
In this highly collaborative position, you will help lead the planning, execution, and evaluation of athletic events, championship competitions, facility operations, and special events across Duke Athletics venues. Your ability to build relationships, manage complex logistics, and deliver high-quality operational support will directly contribute to the success of one of the nation's premier athletics programs.
As the Assistant Director of Game Operations, Championships & Events, you will serve as a key contributor to Duke Athletics' event management and facility operations team. You will oversee assigned athletic facilities, support championship hosting efforts, coordinate game operations, manage event logistics, and mentor student staff while ensuring exceptional guest and participant experiences.
- Serve as Facility Manager for assigned athletic venues and support spaces, including:
- Jack Coombs Field
- Baseball Locker Room
- Oversee facility maintenance projects, repairs, and operational improvements.
- Coordinate installation and removal of Matrax flooring as needed.
- Conduct facility walkthroughs at least twice monthly to ensure safety, cleanliness, and operational readiness.
- Submit, monitor, and track facility work orders through completion.
- Develop and distribute weekly facility schedules.
- Manage facility access and usage requests.
- Coordinate door and elevator scheduling for assigned facilities and events.
- Serve as the primary liaison with:
- Facilities Management Department (FMD)
- Environmental Services
- Landscape Services
- Sanitation and Recycling Services
- Coordinate staffing support requests with campus operational teams.
- Build and maintain productive relationships with campus stakeholders and contracted service providers.
- Assist with facility initiatives and operational projects as assigned by the Director of Athletic Facilities.
- Obtain and maintain forklift certification as required.
- Develop comprehensive game day operational materials, including:
- Game day guides
- Visiting team guides
- Officials' guides
- Broadcast and television operations guides
- Coordinate event staffing plans and game day deployment schedules.
- Manage parking, traffic flow, and event logistics in collaboration with facility operations personnel.
- Maintain game management timelines, operational documents, briefings, and data sheets.
- Ensure venue operations plans and emergency response procedures remain current and effective.
- Assist with game operations budget preparation, monitoring, and reconciliation.
- Serve as the primary Game Operations Manager for Baseball.
- Act as Facility Liaison for ACC Baseball Championship practice and batting practice operations.
- Serve as Tournament Director for NCAA Baseball Championship events hosted at Duke.
- Serve as Game Operations Manager for Fencing competitions.
- Function as Tournament Director for ACC Fencing Championships.
- Support NCAA Fencing Championships as Tournament Manager.
- Serve as Secondary Manager and Command Center Liaison for Football operations.
- Coordinate command center preparations and event readiness.
- Assist with football-specific parking, traffic, and exterior operational planning.
- Collaborate with game and operations managers to ensure seamless event execution.
- Participate on the Basketball Entry Operations Team.
- Provide operational support for basketball contests, Olympic sports competitions, and major athletics events as assigned.
- Develop championship operational plans and event management guides.
- Oversee championship staffing, logistics, parking, and traffic management.
- Prepare and manage championship budgets and financial settlements.
- Maintain championship timelines, operational documents, and staffing plans.
- Assist with championship bid development and submission processes.
- Monitor and manage championship event budgets to ensure fiscal responsibility.
- Partner with the Director of Special Events and facility management teams to coordinate:
- Venue operations
- Event staffing
- Guest services
- Parking and traffic management
- Maintain operational timelines, staffing plans, and event documentation.
- Execute events within approved budgets and operational expectations.
- Serve as primary event operations support for activities hosted at Jack Coombs Field.
- Provide operational leadership for special events as assigned.
- Mentor and support student interns assigned to the department.
- Provide training, professional guidance, and leadership development opportunities.
- Foster a collaborative environment that supports learning and growth.
- Maintain departmental office voicemail and shared email communications.
- Assist with departmental initiatives and operational planning activities.
- Support strategic objectives established by Athletics leadership.
- Knowledge of collegiate athletics event management, facility operations, and championship administration.
- Strong project management and organizational skills.
- Ability to manage multiple events and priorities simultaneously.
- Knowledge of crowd management, safety protocols, and emergency planning.
- Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
- Ability to collaborate effectively with coaches, administrators, campus partners, vendors, and external stakeholders.
- Experience developing event operations plans, staffing schedules, and logistical strategies.
- Strong budget management and fiscal accountability skills.
- Ability to lead under pressure and adapt to rapidly changing event environments.
- Demonstrates initiative, accountability, and sound judgment.
- Maintains a commitment to service excellence and operational efficiency.
- Builds strong partnerships across the Athletics Department and University community.
- Leads with professionalism, inclusivity, and a collaborative mindset.
- Supports continuous improvement and innovation in athletic event operations.
Bachelor's degree required.
Experience in athletics event management, facility operations, championship administration, sports operations, or a related field required.
- Experience supporting NCAA and conference championship events.
- Experience managing athletic venues and complex event logistics.
- Experience supervising student staff, interns, or event personnel.
- Experience with budget planning and event financial management.
- Ability to obtain and maintain Duke forklift certification
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