Title:  Director, Events

JOB SUMMARY

Churchill Downs Racetrack, the world’s most legendary racetrack, has been the home of The Kentucky Derby since 1875. This event is the oldest continually held annual sporting event in the United States. While Derby Week is the crown jewel of our racing season, Churchill Downs welcome guests 365 days a year through live race days, special events, tours, and community engagement opportunities.

The Director of Venue Operations reports to the Vice President of Operations and provides leadership and oversight for approximately 83-85 live race days each year, as well as other year-round venue activities. This position is responsible for ensuring the racetrack and guest-facing operations are fully prepared, coordinated, and executed to the highest standards of safety, hospitality, efficiency, and service.

The Director leads cross-functional race day operations, oversees the Facility Operations Center (FOC), coordinates with internal departments and external partners, and serves as a key leader during live racing and major events. This role is responsible for developing and implementing venue standards, optimizing staffing and resources, identifying opportunities to improve the guest experience, and partnering with Finance and departmental leaders to manage expenses and improve the financial performance of live racing.

The Director will also evaluate managerial processes across departments, identify opportunities for greater efficiency and revenue generation, and support the Vice President of Operations in developing and executing strategic initiatives for Derby Week and special events.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide leadership, direction and accountability to assigned personnel and cross-functional teams supporting live racing and venue operations. Establish clear expectations, develop team capabilities, and promote a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement.
• Drive operational efficiency and results by effectively managing vendors, contractors, service providers, and event partners, ensuring strong performance and service delivery while identifying opportunities to maximize value, control costs, and achieve cost savings.
• Partner with the Vice President of Operations and Finance to develop, monitor, and analyze race day operating budgets and P&L performance. Identify cost drivers, staffing efficiencies, and opportunities to reduce expenses while maintaining or improving guest experience and operational standards.
• Actively monitor each race day to ensure all partners, departments and staff are providing the highest level of hospitality and service to our guests
• Develop and manage a checklist that ensures all facility tasks are completed prior to each race meet, and event spaces are properly closed / cleaned at the completion of race day and end of the meet
• Lead the development and distribution of training materials, schedules, race day reports, post orders, and other operational communications to ensure staff and vendors are properly informed and prepared for each race day.
• Curate amenities that complement the guest experience for live racing, including shoe shiner, handicapping sessions, giveaways, etc.
• Provide leadership and oversight of the Facility Operations Center (FOC), establishing standards for facility communication, incident management, surveillance, operational reporting, and race day coordination. Ensure appropriate cross-functional departmental representation and timely escalation and resolution of issues.   
• Oversee the ATM program and vendor relationship, including service levels, revenue performance, operational requirements, and opportunities to optimize the program
• Participate in planning meetings, trainings, and briefings as required for live racing and venue operations
• Lead the development and execution of the Derby Week credentialing strategy for guests, staff, vendors, and law enforcement. Establish credentialing requirements and access protocols, including the development and deployment of wristbands, credential placards, credential boards, scanners, and other access-control tools.
• Collaborate with Conversions team on identifying and maintaining all storage locations and inventory
• Lead the setup and execution of security screening at gates when necessary
• Provide operational oversight of year-round parking and traffic management, including parking strategy, lot utilization, staffing, equipment, maintenance, traffic flow, and coordination with internal and external stakeholders.
• Support the Vice President of Operations and broader Operations leadership in the planning and execution of Derby Week and other major events, with responsibility for assigned venue operations, operational readiness, and cross-functional coordination.
• Manage key vendor relationships and ensure contract fulfillment for Derby Week operational needs, including golf cart rentals, off-site facility setups, equipment and furniture rentals, commodities, and other event-related services. Ensure vendors meet established service, performance, and operational requirements.
• Other duties may be assigned.

REGULATORY

• Ability to obtain and maintain a Kentucky racing license and successfully complete all applicable background check requirements.
• Must possess valid driver license;
• Must be at least 18 years of age;

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Hospitality, Sports Management, Event Management, or a related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 7+ years of progressive experience in venue operations, event operations, sports, hospitality, entertainment, or a related field, including demonstrated leadership of complex, large-scale operations.
• Knowledge of NIMS and IC structure, as well as other crowd management, fire and safety regulations
• Must be available during Derby Week and live racing days throughout the year. Other special events may require onsite presence as well. Schedule includes various nights, weekends and holidays as required.
• CPR/AED Certification (preferred, or ability to obtain within 6 months.)

REQUIRED SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Demonstrated ability to lead complex, cross-functional operations in a fast-paced environment
• Strong financial and analytical skills, including the ability to evaluate budgets, labor costs, operational expenses, and business performance
• Exceptional organizational and project management skills
• Strong decision-making and problem-solving abilities
• Ability to effectively communicate with executives, department leaders, employees, vendors, contractors, and public safety partners
• Demonstrated ability to develop and implement operational processes and continuously improve existing practices
• Ability to remain calm and decisive during high-pressure situations and operational disruptions
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, PowerPoint, Smartsheet, and other operational technology platforms; ability to quickly learn new systems

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS & WORKING CONDITIONS

• Ability to walk; use hands to finger, reach, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and talk or hear.
• Regular standing, walking, climbing, bending, kneeling, and moving throughout the facility to support operations.
• Ability to lift, carry, push, and pull objects and equipment as required to perform the essential functions of the position.
• Ability to work both indoors and outdoors and be exposed to changing or adverse weather conditions, including heat, cold, rain, and other environmental conditions.
• Ability to perform effectively in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment, particularly during live racing, Kentucky Derby Week, and other major events.
• The noise level in the work environment is generally moderate but may occasionally be loud during live racing, events, or when working in operational areas of the facility.
• Evening, weekend, and holiday work may be required during racing meets, Derby season, special events, and other operationally demanding periods.
• The position may require extended periods of standing, walking, or other physical activity based on operational and event needs.

This work is performed at Churchill Downs Racetrack (“CDRT”.) Located in Louisville, CDRT features a series of themed race days during Derby Week, including the Kentucky Oaks, and conducts Thoroughbred horse racing during three race meets in Spring, September and Fall. CDRT is located on 175 acres and has a one-mile dirt track, a 7/8-mile turf track, a stable area, and provides seating for approximately 60,000 guests. The stable area has barns sufficient to accommodate 1,400 horses and a 114-room dormitory for backstretch personnel. CDRT also has a year-round simulcast wagering facility.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

The above-noted job description is not intended to describe, in detail, the multitude of tasks that may be assigned but rather to give the associate a general sense of the responsibilities and expectations of the position. As the nature of business demands change so, too, may the essential functions of this position.