ARIZONA EXPOSITION AND STATE FAIR BOARD

1826 West McDowell Road

Phoenix, AZ 85007

Salary: $145,000 - $185,000  

Grade: E4

Open Until Business Needs Are Met

The Arizona Exposition and State Fair Director serves as the chief administrator of a premier fairgrounds and multi-use event facility. This role provides strategic and operational leadership for all aspects of the facility, including to plan, develop, implement, coordinate, direct, and evaluate activities related to the production of the annual Arizona State Fair, public and private events, entertainment programming, community engagement, maintenance, operation, and capital projects at the fairgrounds.. The position requires a highly skilled business leader with strong financial acumen, a customer service mindset, and extensive experience managing large-scale events and complex operations. The Director is also responsible for ensuring that State Statutes, rules, and policies are adhered to in all business operations.

Under the direction of the Exposition and State Fair Board, the Director plans, organizes, implements, and administers the development and utilization of Fairgrounds facilities and programs, providing the public with a variety of entertainment, social, educational, cultural, and recreational activities. The Board requires the Director to demonstrate strong abilities in administration and management, financial accounting, strategic planning, facility improvements, community outreach, and fair management.

The nature of the Exposition and State Fair industry requires extended work hours and availability of essential personnel to respond in appropriate timeframes to critical and emergent issues, which includes the position of Executive Director and key staff.

Leadership & Strategic Direction:

• Develop and implement short and long-term plans, forecasts, evaluations, policies, procedures, and utilization of the State’s property and facilities

• Advise the Arizona Exposition and State Fair Board of Directors on operational priorities, capital needs, and policy recommendations

• Ensure partnerships with venue rentals are successful, operate pursuant to the lease agreements, serve the general public, and maximize revenue for the Arizona Exposition and State Fair

• Leadership, management, and strategic direction of the Arizona Exposition and State Fair

• Develop and maintain external relationships with State agencies

• Maintain a strong team culture focused on service, innovation, and excellence

Event & Facility Orientation:

• Oversee all day-to-day operational and administrative activities of the Arizona Exposition and State Fair, and fairgrounds; recommend and manage capital projects and all facility maintenance

• Plan, direct, and conduct the annual State Fair

• Oversight of an interim facility rental program, which may include trade shows, Coliseum events, sporting events, livestock shows, and cultural festivals

Fiscal Oversight & Budget Management:

• Develop and maintain financial plans for strategic marketing, capital improvements, operational management, and strategic partnerships

• Create and manage agency budget, financial oversight of all agency funds, ensuring fiscal responsibility to generate revenue and cover expenses for daily operation, as well as capital improvements

• Represent the Board at the legislature and act as the designated Public Lobbyist for the agency

• Adhering to the State of Arizona statutes, rules, and policies

Knowledge of:

• The principles and practices necessary to successfully manage a business operation in a public environment

• The principles and practices of personnel management, budgeting and financial management, general bidding procedures, and contracting in order to plan, develop, implement, and evaluate the administrative procedures necessary to operate a major fair or large event with attendance of over 500,000

• The principles and practices of food and beverage operations and auditing, including Arizona liquor laws

• The principles, practices, and procedures of the fair and exposition industry, including laws and regulations governing the fair industry

Skill in:

• Proven management experience of a minimum of five (5) years in venue operations, fairgrounds, or public facility management, with attendance of over 500,000

• Proven expertise in budgeting, staff supervision, contract management, and fair or large event execution

• Working with elected officials, public agencies, or governmental boards

• Excellent interpersonal, strategic planning, and public communication skills

• Familiarity with livestock competitions, 4-H/FFA programming, and agricultural events is highly desirable

• Experience in large facility management, contract negotiation and management, project management for capital improvement projects, and budget and financial management

Ability to:

• Select, develop, motivate, and supervise staff

• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with vendors, strategic business partners, first responders, and government leaders

• Exercise tact, ingenuity, and resourcefulness

• Make verbal and written presentations in a clear and concise manner

• To hold a Government Liquor License Class 5 for the Exposition and State Fair

• Valid Arizona Driver's License

• If this position requires driving or the use of a vehicle as an essential function of the job to conduct State business, then the following requirements apply: Driver’s License Requirements.

The State of Arizona offers a comprehensive benefits package to include:

• Sick leave

• Retirement plan

• Health and dental insurance

• Vacation with 10 paid holidays per year

• Life insurance and long-term disability insurance

• Optional employee benefits include short-term disability insurance, deferred compensation plans, and supplemental life insurance

• Learn more about the Paid Parental Leave pilot program here. For a complete list of benefits provided by The State of Arizona, please visit our benefits page

• Positions in this classification participate in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS)

• Please note, enrollment eligibility will become effective after 27 weeks of employment

• If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Brian Westerberg at brian.westerberg@azdoa.gov