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Events & Operations Manager - HCCA

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Events & Operations Manager - HCCA

Salary

$66,293.38 - $72,922.71 Annually

Location

Asheville, NC

Job Type

Full Time

Job Number

2025-01781

Department

Community and Regional Entertainment Facilities

Division

Operations

Opening Date

12/29/2025

Closing Date

1/27/2026 5:00 PM Eastern

+ Description

+ Benefits

+ Questions

Summary

About our opportunity:

The City of Asheville is seeking qualified applicants for the position of Events & Operations Manager at the Harrah’s Cherokee Center Asheville within the Community and Regional Entertainment Facilities department. Harrah’s Cherokee Center Asheville hosts conventions, concerts, sporting events, and community gatherings in multiple venues, including the ExploreAsheville.com Arena and Thomas Wolfe Auditorium. This position plays a key role in planning for and managing venue operations, conversions, event advancing, and execution of events at the facility.

Purpose of Classification:

The purpose of this classification is to plan (advance) and execute events at Harrah’s Cherokee Center, including the Exhibit Hall, banquet hall, Thomas Wolfe Auditorium and ExploreAsheville.com Arena.

Distinguishing Characteristics:

This is a single level classification.

Other things to know:

Work Schedule: Schedule will vary based on events. A standard non-event day is 8:00am - 4:30pm. Event dates may require longer shifts and will occur on evenings , weekends and some holidays. Occasional overnight work will be required.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Essential Functions:

The following duties are normal for this position. The omission of specific statements of the duties does not exclude them from the classification if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment for this classification. Other duties may be required and assigned.

Ensure that the event staff, guests, contractors have the information needed to safely navigate the building during an event.

Communicate the expectation of the venue to the client, and the needs and expectations of the client to the venue staff and managers.

Anticipate and work to resolve issues that may impact the successful delivery of the event, including budgetary or timeline, safety/risk, and potential damages to people or property.

Supervise of the Facility Operations Team consisting of Labor Crew Leaders, Laborers and Temporary/Seasonal Laborers.

Assist with the design, updates and implementation of all safety plans; evacuation, fire, shelter in place, weather and active shooter and train all staff on protocol.

Advance Events held in the Thomas Wolfe Auditorium and Explore Asheville Arena; plan and prepare for all related logistical aspects of events including itinerary, staffing needs, coordinating with food & beverage, parking services, security (contractors and Asheville Police Department), medical staff, scaling, set up, take down, clean up, VIP, hospitality, catering, production assistance & merchandise.

Manage event dates in Thomas Wolfe Auditorium and Explore Asheville Arena, act as manager on duty supervising all working staff related to the event. Events vary in size from approximately 30 (luncheon rental) to 7,200 (basketball, Concerts, etc) guests.

Manage event operational budgets based on contract/offer/estimate provided to the client at the time of booking. Event budgets vary from $500 (small luncheon rental) to $200,000 (concerts/basketball.)

Communicate with the clients via email, call, text to coordinate details regarding all venue setup details.

Monitor details of the budget related to the event.

Create and revise as needed: diagrams, estimates, timing sheets, stage plots & internal event memos.

Provide ongoing, detailed communication with staff and internal colleagues in impacted departments, as well as coordination of services and details with external agencies (Contracted security, APD, AFD, medics) to ensure day of event details are correct for show set up & execution, and all necessary staffing creates safe environment for guests and staff.

Manage day of show logistics for exhibit hall & arena events.

Supervise all staff, act as manager on duty related to the event which includes resolving issues related to the event setup as well as on site emergencies.

Monitor venue to ensure the space has been set-up correctly, have any fire hazards or risks been created in the environment, and have client needs have been met, etc.

Respond to the needs of artists, promoters, management, contractors and venue staff. Coordinate all show related logistics. Communicate effectively throughout the event via radio, voice and text.

Update, manage and train staff regarding safety plans. Review is done monthly however day of events safety plans are reviewed.

Train staff related customer service philosophy & programs.

Staff events appropriately with contractors and external City Departments (i.e. security, Asheville Police Department, Asheville Fire Department, on-site medics).

Work with Human Resources Business Partner to create accurate job postings, screen candidates, set up interviews, prepare interview questions & conduct interviews, check references for selected candidates.

Create/update and execute Harrah’s new hire orientation.

Deliver new hire employee training and ongoing training.

Conduct monthly employee check-ins, establish employee goals/objectives and communicate with each employee.

Work with supervisor to monitor employee performance, and collaboratively decide on improvement plans, corrective actions, and terminations as applicable.

Respond to employee questions regarding policies and procedures; and work with employee if a question needs to be escalated to the Human Resources Department.

Manage operations team schedules.

Create work orders and follow up on execution.

Monitor product inventory par levels, and order supplies as necessary

Coordinate and manage venue conversions to ensure the facility is prepared and ready for events.

Propose projects for upgrades and enhancements to facility with vetted budgets and timelines; and execute if approved.

Oversee the Event Operations Team to ensure the facility is maintained and reset for guest activations.

Complete a full facility equipment and tool inventory twice per year.

Operates a personal computer to enter, retrieve, review, or modify data, utilizing word processing, spreadsheet, database, presentation, website, Internet, e-mail, or other software; and operates general office or other equipment as necessary to complete essential functions.

Additional Functions:

Performs other related duties as required.

Education and Experience

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor’s Degree; or a minimum of three years of experience in event or operations management.

Specific License or Certification Required:

Must possess and maintain a valid state driver’s license. Possess or be able to obtain First Aid and CPR certification within six months of hire. Possess or be able to obtain Certified Crowd Manager certificate within six months of hire.

Specific Knowledge, Skills, or Abilities:

Must be able to demonstrate proficiency in performance of the essential functions and learn, comprehend, and apply all City or departmental policies, practices, and procedures necessary to function effectively in the position.

Performance Aptitudes:

Data Utilization: Requires the ability to evaluate, audit, deduce, and/or assess data using established criteria. Includes exercising discretion in determining actual or probable consequences and in referencing such evaluation to identify and select alternatives.

Human Interaction: Requires the ability to work with others to coordinate the more complex programs and more complex problems associated with the responsibilities of the job. Often represents the department and/or organization when dealing with others.

Equipment, Machinery, Tools, and Materials Utilization: Requires the ability to operate, maneuver and/or control the actions of equipment, machinery, tools, and/or materials used in performing essential functions.

Verbal Aptitude: Requires the ability to utilize a wide variety of reference, descriptive, and/or advisory data and information.

Mathematical Aptitude: Requires the ability to perform addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division; ability to calculate decimals and percentages; may include ability to perform mathematical operations with fractions; may include ability to compute discount, interest, and ratios; may include ability to calculate surface areas, volumes, weights, and measures.

Functional Reasoning: Requires the ability to apply principles of influence systems, such as motivation, incentive, and leadership, and to exercise independent judgment to apply facts and principles for developing approaches and techniques to resolve problems.

Situational Reasoning: Requires the ability to exercise judgment, decisiveness and creativity in situations involving the evaluation of information against sensory, judgmental, or subjective criteria, as opposed to that which is clearly measurable or verifiable.

ADA Compliance:

Physical Ability: Tasks require the ability to exert light physical effort in sedentary to light work, but which may involve some lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling of objects and materials of light weight (5-10 pounds). Tasks may involve extended periods of time at a keyboard or workstation.

Sensory Requirements: Some tasks require the ability to perceive and discriminate colors or shades of colors, sounds, and visual cues or signals. Some tasks require the ability to communicate orally.

Environmental Factors: Essential functions are regularly performed without exposure to adverse environmental conditions.

Some positions may require a fingerprint-based SBI background check after a conditional offer and before your start date; HR will provide instructions if applicable.

For benefits-eligible positions, explore our full benefits at AshevilleBenefits.com .

About us:

The City of Asheville is dedicated to providing quality service for the residents and visitors of our beautiful city, nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains of western North Carolina. Asheville, NC is a thriving mountain city that has a culture enriched by its diversity.

The City’s policy is to provide equal employment opportunities to all applicants for employment. Applicants will be assured of fair treatment in all aspects of recruitment and selection without regard to a person’s age, race, color, national origin, religion, sex, genetic information,or disability, except where certain physical and mental requirements are Bona Fide Occupational Qualifications (BFOQ). The City of Asheville is proud to be a second chance employer.

The City of Asheville is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.

To view our comprehensive benefits package, click here (https://www.ashevillenc.gov/department/human-resources/compensation-and-benefits/) .

01

Select your highest level of education:

+ High School/GED

+ Associates Degree

+ Bachelors Degree

+ Masters Degree

+ Doctorate

02

How many years of experience do you have in event or operations management or supervision?

+ I have no experience in Management or Supervision

+ I have less than one year of experience in Management or Supervision

+ I have 1 to 3 years of experience.

+ I have 3 to 5 years of experience.

+ I have 5 to 10 years of experience.

+ I over 10 years of experience.

03

Do you have a valid driver's license?

+ I do not have a current driving license of any kind.

+ I do possess a current valid driver's license.

04

Do you have a CPR, First Aid or AED certification?

+ Yes

+ No

05

Do you have a Certified Crowd Manager certification

+ Yes

+ No

Required Question

Employer

City of Asheville

Address

City of Asheville PO Box 7148 Asheville, North Carolina, 28802

Phone

828-259-5690 - Apply Online! - EOE

Website

http://www.ashevillenc.gov/jobs