Chief of Events & Facilities

South Shore Convention and Visitors Authority; Hammond (IN); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

South Shore Convention and Visitors Authority (SSCVA) seeks a Chief of Events & Facilities to lead event strategy, booking, planning, and execution for Indiana Welcome Center and off-site programs. The role drives tourism, revenue, and community engagement, ensuring brand standards and safety across all venues.

The position oversees budgets, vendor management, and client relations, while collaborating with marketing, finance, and operations to deliver high-impact programs supporting SSCVA's

Qualifications

• Ideal candidate possesses strong experience in event management and sponsorship development.
• Demonstrated leadership, budgeting, and project management skills required.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and organizational skills essential.
• Bachelor's degree in marketing, hospitality, tourism, event management, business, or related field preferred.
• Five or more years of progressive experience in event planning, venue management, or related field required.

Responsibilities

• Oversees booking and managing events at the Indiana Welcome Center and offsite locations.
• Develops, proposes, and leads the creation of new and innovative event concepts, programs, and experiences that attract visitors, engage the community, generate revenue, and enhance the SSCVA's tourism mission.
• Continuously identifies emerging event trends, opportunities, and community interests and develops creative programming ideas that can expand SSCVA's event offerings and visitor experiences.
• Identifies and secures sponsorships, partnerships, and funding opportunities to support events and programs.
• Establishes event pricing, policies, contracts, and procedures for internal and external facility rentals.
• Cultivates relationships with community partners, vendors, municipalities, and tourism stakeholders to expand event opportunities.
• Serves as the primary contact for event clients and partners from inquiry through post-event evaluation.
• Oversees event marketing collaboration with the marketing team to maximize attendance and visibility.
• Leads planning, logistics, and execution of SSCVA signature events, partner events, and community programs.
• Develops timelines, run-of-show documents, staffing plans, and vendor coordination for all events.
• Works with CFO on event budgets, revenue tracking, and financial reporting to ensure fiscal responsibility and compliance.
• Oversees on-site event operations including setup, teardown, staffing coordination, and vendor management.
• Ensures all events meet SSCVA brand standards, safety requirements, and customer service expectations.
• Conducts post-event evaluations and implements improvements for future programming.

Skills

Event management

Sponsorship development

Budgeting

Leadership

Negotiation

Communication

Organization

Education

Bachelor's degree in marketing, hospitality, tourism, event management, business, or related field

Job description

Basic Functions

The Chief of Events & Facilities leads and manages all aspects of event strategy, booking, planning, and execution for the South Shore Convention and Visitors Authority (SSCVA). This role oversees events hosted at the Indiana Welcome Center as well as off-site activations and programs that support tourism, community engagement, and organizational revenue.

Specific Responsibilities

Event Strategy, Sales & Booking

• Oversees all aspects of booking and managing events at the Indiana Welcome Center and offsite locations.
• Develops, proposes, and leads the creation of new and innovative event concepts, programs, and experiences that attract visitors, engage the community, generate revenue, and enhance the SSCVA's tourism mission.
• Continuously identifies emerging event trends, opportunities, and community interests and develops creative programming ideas that can expand SSCVA's event offerings and visitor experiences.
• Identifies and secures sponsorships, partnerships, and funding opportunities to support events and programs.
• Establishes event pricing, policies, contracts, and procedures for internal and external facility rentals.
• Cultivates relationships with community partners, vendors, municipalities, and tourism stakeholders to expand event opportunities.
• Serves as the primary contact for event clients and partners from inquiry through post-event evaluation.
• Oversees event marketing collaboration with the marketing team to maximize attendance and visibility.

Event Planning & Execution

• Leads planning, logistics, and execution of SSCVA signature events, partner events, and community programs.
• Develops timelines, run-of-show documents, staffing plans, and vendor coordination for all events.
• Works with CFO on event budgets, revenue tracking, and financial reporting to ensure fiscal responsibility and compliance.
• Oversees on-site event operations including setup, teardown, staffing coordination, and vendor management.
• Ensures all events meet SSCVA brand standards, safety requirements, and customer service expectations.
• Conducts post-event evaluations and implements improvements for future programming.

Facilities Oversight & Coordination

• Works with the Facility Manager and collaborates on event setup and capital improvement projects.
• Coordinates facility scheduling to ensure alignment between events and maintenance.
• Ensures compliance with safety, security, and accessibility standards for all public and event spaces.
• Assists with long-term facility planning and budgeting related to event growth and operational needs.

Job Requirements

Ideal candidate possesses strong experience in event management and sponsorship development. Demonstrated leadership, budgeting, and project management skills required. Excellent communication, negotiation, and organizational skills essential.

Bachelor's degree in marketing, hospitality, tourism, event management, business, or related field preferred. Five or more years of progressive experience in event planning, venue management, or related field required.

DISCLAIMER

Job descriptions are not intended and should not be construed to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills, efforts, or working conditions associated with a job; they are intended to be reflections of the principal job elements essential for this position.