Events Director

Krannert Center for the Performing Arts

College of Fine and Applied Arts

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Job Summary

The Events Director plays a pivotal role in leading the Events Office at Krannert Center for the Performing Arts. This position is key in the planning and execution of more than 300 annual performances, campus events, and facility rentals. This position serves as a key operational partner across departments—coordinating technical, staffing, and logistical support—and ensuring high-quality service and professionalism throughout the lifecycle of each event.

The Director works closely with Programming, Production and Operations teams to assess the operational feasibility of proposed performances, providing input on scheduling, resources, and production logistics. While not responsible for curating or selecting artistic content, this role supports the overall success of the season by aligning programming goals with Krannert Center’s operational capabilities.

Strong project management skills and a customer service mindset are essential, as the Director leads multi-layered event logistics and serves as a point of contact for artists, clients, vendors, and internal stakeholders. Office is located in a shared workspace; frequent evening and weekend work is required to support performances and events.

Duties & Responsibilities

Supervision and Administrative Oversight

• Supervise full-time staff members in the Events Office; as well as oversee graduate assistants, student employees, and hourly/extra help workers.

• Lead the planning and delivery of Krannert Center events. The Events team provides support to all visiting artist series programming, conferences, meetings, festivals, etc ensuring coordination of logistics, staffing, transportation, hospitality, and technical needs and supports the needs of other center activities as necessary.

• Serve as a primary liaison and venue representative for visiting artists and clients, ensuring professional, timely, and responsive service.

• Develop event budgets in collaboration with team members and cross-departmental partners; monitor charges and oversee timely billing.

• Collaborate with Production Department to allocate technical resources including personnel and equipment, manage venue scheduling and build technical and artist event schedules.

• Collaborate with Building Operations to assign facility staff and shared physical resources to events.

• Maintain organized records of event plans, policies, and procedures.

• Assist in calendaring workflows for the Marquee Series and School of Music events.

Event Planning and Implementation

• Collaborate with Programming to assess the feasibility of proposed events, offering operational input on scheduling, production needs, and resource availability.

• Evaluate technical riders and event requirements to determine feasibility and alignment with center capacity; identify necessary staff and equipment resources, and ensure clear communication of decisions to all internal stakeholders. Work with artists and clients to plan room setups and create event layout documentation.

• Assign event staffing and tasks, including serving as part of the on-site team; act as lead coordinator for select performances, rentals, and high-profile engagements.

• Serve as project lead/production manager for large scale festivals and events.

• Direct crews as needed and facilitate start-of-show procedures.

• Lead the creation and implementation of workflows that ensure alignment and mutual support among departments throughout all phases of event planning and delivery.

• Drive university vehicles to safely transport artists, management, and/or equipment between venues and locations.

Training and Communication

• Build and maintain vendor relationships (e.g., hotels, caterers, rental providers) to support event implementation.

• Manage staff payroll processes and ensure timely submission of event billing.

• Serves as communications hub for distributing artist needs and requirements to key KCPA and external constituents including Front of House, Marketing, Food Services, and Building Operations. In collaboration with primary stakeholders, develop and communicate policies and procedures to provide transparent decision-making, enhance communication and improve efficiency. Coordinate with School of Music staff to support concerts and other academic events.

Other Responsibilities

• Provide input to leadership on operational needs and labor considerations, including IATSE contract-related matters.

• Contribute expertise in refining and updating Krannert Center’s event planning policies and workflows.

• Stay informed on industry trends and best practices in performing arts operations, production logistics, and artist services.

• Participate in long-term planning and departmental initiatives as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree.
• A total of three (3) years (36 months) in education, training and/or work experience in live events and/or performing arts production environment.
• Demonstrated supervisory experience.
• Possession of valid Driver's License. (Provide at the time of applying)

Preferred Qualifications

• Degree in a performing arts, project management, or hospitality-related field.
• 5+ years of experience in event or production management, including artist logistics, scheduling, or touring production support.
• Background in stage management or artist management.
• Familiar with large-scale venue management software systems like Momentus or Propared.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Proven project management skills with the ability to juggle multiple timelines and priorities.
• Exceptional customer service orientation and interpersonal communication skills.
• Familiarity with event production and touring logistics in the performing arts.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office; VectorWorks or similar CAD software preferred.
• Ability to interpret technical riders, stage plots, and production documentation.
• Collaborative, solutions-focused approach to working with artists, clients, and colleagues.