Manager, SOTA Events & Operations

Northern Kentucky University; United States; On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Northern Kentucky University’s School of the Arts seeks an in-person Events Manager to lead planning, coordination, and execution of theatre, music, and art events. You will oversee venue scheduling, budgets, and staffing while collaborating with faculty, students, and campus partners to deliver high-quality, visible programs.

Reporting to the SOTA director, you will supervise multiple teams, ensure accessibility and safety standards, and enhance audience experiences across NKU venues including

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field plus 4 years of related work experience.
• Experience in higher education or academic arts settings.
• Supervisory experience of both teams and individuals.
• Familiarity with theatre, concert hall, and gallery operations.

Responsibilities

• Develop and manage SOTA’s annual events calendar across Theatre & Dance, Music, and Art & Design.
• Coordinate with program heads, directors, faculty, staff, production teams and campus partners to plan event requirements and logistics.
• Collaborate with NKU Marketing and Communications to create promotional materials and ensure consistent event information across calendars and platforms.
• Oversee venue scheduling and resource management for NKU venues and galleries; coordinate with Facilities and Parking.
• Assist with budgeting, purchasing, and post-event reporting and compliance.

Skills

Event planning

Staff supervision

Communication

Project coordination

Education

Bachelor’s degree in arts administration or related field

Tools

Ticketing systems

Venue scheduling software

Job description

Position Title: Manager, SOTA Events & Operations Position Type: Regular

About the Role

The Events Manager for the NKU School of the Arts is an in-person role that provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for the planning, coordination, and execution of all events across Theatre & Dance, Music, and Art & Design. This position ensures that performances, exhibitions, and programs are delivered with a high level of organization, collaboration, and professionalism, aligning with academic priorities and enhancing the visibility and reputation of the School. Serving as the central hub for event logistics, the Events Manager fosters communication across programs, supports student and faculty success, and creates a cohesive, high-quality experience for audiences, campus partners, and the broader community. Reporting to the SOTA director, the SOTA Events Manager serves as the primary point of contact and coordination for event logistics in SOTA’s venues, including the 320-seat Corbett Theatre, the Stauss Black Box Theatre, the 650-seat Greaves Concert Hall, and the SOTA Galleries as well as with external partnerships. The role requires very strong organizational and communication skills, a collaborative working style, and the ability to manage multiple simultaneous events in a vibrant performing and visual arts environment. The Manager of Galleries and Outreach (Art & Design), the Greaves Concert Hall Coordinator (Music), and the Front of House Coordinator (Music and Theatre & Dance) all report to the Events Manager and form the SOTA Events Team managing all aspects of SOTA events.

Event Planning, Coordination & Academic Alignment

• Develop and manage SOTA’s annual events calendar across Theatre & Dance, Music (including Music Prep), and Art & Design (including Art Prep).
• Coordinate with Program Heads, directors, faculty, staff, production teams, student leaders, and campus partners to plan event requirements, schedules, logistics, and operations; lead regular SOTA Events Team meetings.
• Ensure events align with NKU academic calendars, space use policies, accessibility standards, and campus safety protocols, and communicate event details to internal and external stakeholders while supporting external partnerships with SOTA leadership.

Event Operations & On-Site Management

• Work with SOTA’s ticketing system to input paid events, make reservations, reserve complimentary tickets, etc.
• Coordinate the SOTA Events Team for on-site event management for performances, exhibitions, recitals, and special programming.
• Coordinate with parking services, NKU facilities and conference services, and with Truist Arena on scheduling, timing, and overlapping event logistics.

Marketing, Communications & Patron Experience

• Collaborate with NKU’s Marketing and Communication staff to support the creation of promotional materials, digital content, lobby displays, programs, and signage.
• Collaborate with SOTA’s internal resources to ensure social media channels remain current.
• Ensure event information is accurate and timely across NKU calendars, websites, and social platforms.
• Ensure event information is communicated accurate and timely across external platforms including ArtsWave, area newspapers, etc.
• In collaboration with the Front of House Manager, implement strategies to enhance the patron experience and audience engagement

Venue Scheduling & Resource Management

• In coordination with the SOTA Events Team, oversee booking and scheduling for the Corbett Theatre, Stauss Theatre, Greaves Concert Hall, SOTA Galleries, rehearsal rooms, studios, and multipurpose spaces using NKU-approved scheduling systems.
• Coordinate equipment, front-of-house resources, gallery needs, and event staffing.
• Maintain inventory and organization of event-related supplies and materials including internal and external signage, etc.
• Serve as liaison with NKU units such as Facilities, IT, Enrollment/Admissions (for recruitment and outreach events), Parking, Advancement, and the Office of the Provost for academic scheduling needs.

Budgeting, Compliance & Administrative Duties

• Assist with planning, tracking, and reconciling event-related budgets.
• Process event-related purchasing, work orders, and vendor payments in compliance with NKU policies.
• Draft and maintain event documentation, post-event reports, and operational records.
• Coordinate with the SOTA Budget Officer to transfer funds from ticketing system.

Student Training, Mentorship & Academic Support 3%

• Coordinate with faculty to support curricular events such as student recitals, showcases, exhibitions, and end-of-semester presentations.
• Provide experiential learning opportunities related to arts management, hospitality, and production support.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Experience in higher education or academic arts settings.
• Familiarity with theatre, concert hall, and gallery operations.
• Knowledge of front-of-house management, ticketing systems, and venue scheduling software.
• Supervisory experience of both teams and individuals.
• Understanding of production processes in theatre, dance, music, and visual arts.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Bachelor’s degree in arts administration, event management, theatre, music, visual arts, communications, or a related field; or equivalent experience, plus 4 years of related work experience. 4 years related management experience.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY

This position would supervise the Front of House Coordinator, Greaves Concert Hall Coordinator, and Manager of Galleries and Outreach all report to this person. Also works closely with the Programs and Production Assistant.

Why Work at Northern Kentucky University

At NKU, our work revolves around three things: opening doors, helping people finish what they start, and connecting learning to real life. Those pillars Access, Completion, and Career & Community Engagement aren't just strategic-plan wallpaper. They shape how we hire, how we serve students, and how we show up for the region. If you want your work to matter, NKU is a place where you can see your impact every day. Introduce yourself and we'll get in touch if there's a role that seems like a good match.

About NKU

Northern Kentucky University is a public, student-centered institution located just minutes from downtown Cincinnati. Our vision is clear: to be nationally recognized as a student-ready, regionally-engaged university that empowers diverse learners for economic and social mobility. We focus on opening doors, supporting students through graduation, and connecting learning to real opportunity in our region. NKU offers the reach of a comprehensive university with the feel of a close, collaborative campus.