This Booking Program Manager focuses on revenue generation, calendar management, promoter relationships, contract negotiation, and operational coordination for all Fairgrounds venues and parking lot areas. This position is responsible for leading all booking strategy and revenue generation for the venue; focusing on securing concerts, sporting events, family shows, special events, consumer and trade shows, and high-impact programming that maximize venue utilization and financial performance. The Booking Program Manager builds and maintains relationships with promoters, agents, touring companies, and event producers while coordinating internally to ensure successful event execution. Under general supervision of the Deputy Director, this position plans, directs, and implements the promotion of the facility and events to the community and industry by performing the following duties personally or through subordinates.
This position may offer the ability to work remotely, within Arizona, based upon the department's business needs and continual meeting of expected performance measures.
The State of Arizona strives for a work culture that affords employees flexibility, autonomy, and trust. Across our many agencies, boards, and commissions, many State employees participate in the State’s Remote Work Program and are able to work remotely in their homes, in offices, and in hoteling spaces. All work, including remote work, should be performed within Arizona unless an exception is properly authorized in advance.
• Develop and execute a comprehensive annual booking strategy to maximize event volume, diversity, and profitability; identify new event opportunities across concerts, sports, family entertainment, cultural events, and corporate rentals; and analyze market trends, routing patterns, and competitor calendars and financial terms to position the venue competitively.
• Serve as the primary liaison with national and regional promoters, talent agencies, sports organizations, and event producers; and maintain strong relationships with Live Nation, AEG, Feld Entertainment, touring managers, and independent and local promoters.
• Negotiate deal terms including rental rates, splits, ancillary revenue, production requirements, and financial guarantees; draft, review, and execute event contracts, addendums, and riders in coordination with legal and finance teams; and ensure all agreements comply with venue policies, insurance requirements, and risk management standards.
• Oversee the venue’s master calendar, ensuring optimal date holds, confirmations, and conflict resolution; coordinate with operations, production, marketing, security, and guest services to ensure event feasibility and readiness; and lead internal event booking meetings and communicate event details across departments.
• Develop event proformas, evaluate deal profitability, and approve event settlements; and monitor revenue streams including rent, ticket fees, concessions, parking, sponsorship, and premium seating impacts to ensure viability of event selection and venue fit.
• Collaborate with marketing teams to support event announcements, on-sales, and promotional strategies; and assist leadership cultivating relationships with local organizations, tourism boards, and community partners to attract regional events.
Knowledge of:
• Understanding of the live entertainment, event booking, and venue management industries, including touring and routing cycles;
• Familiarity with arena, amphitheater, convention center, and large-scale event venue operations;
• Experience with event budgeting, financial modeling, and settlement procedures;
• Awareness of marketing strategies related to event promotion, ticket sales, and audience engagement;
• Working knowledge of customer service practices and stakeholder relations;
• Familiarity with collaborating alongside government agencies, tourism organizations, and community partners;
• Proficiency in booking software, CRM platforms, and event management systems;
• Windows 2000, Word, Excel, Outlook; and other related standard office equipment.
Skills in:
• Strong negotiation and contract coordination skills with promoters, agents, and touring professionals;
• Excellent interpersonal, relationship-building, and communication skills;
• Strong organizational and time management skills with the capacity to manage multiple events and deadlines simultaneously;
• Strong analytical and financial acumen;
• Effective public representation and professional interaction at industry and community events;
• Skilled in problem-solving and decision-making in fast-paced environments.
Ability to:
• Coordinate and secure high-profile concerts, entertainment acts, and large-scale events;
• Build and maintain effective working relationships with clients, exhibitors, employees, patrons, community partners, and public officials;
• Work independently while exercising sound judgment, initiative, and professionalism;
• Adapt quickly to changing priorities, schedules, and operational needs;
• Manage complex projects in environments with limited standardized procedures;
• Remain composed and effective in high-pressure situations;
• Maintain flexibility to work evenings, weekends, holidays, and travel as required by event schedules and industry activities.
• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Entertainment Management, Sports Management, Marketing, or related field (preferred).
• Equivalent industry experience considered.
• 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.
All newly hired State employees are subject to and must successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify).
The State of Arizona offers a comprehensive benefits package to include:
• Sick leave
• Vacation with 10 paid holidays per year
• Paid Parental Leave-Up to 12 weeks per year paid leave for newborn or newly-placed foster/adopted child (pilot program)
• Health and dental insurance
• Retirement plan
• Life insurance and long-term disability insurance
• Optional employee benefits include short-term disability insurance, deferred compensation plans, and supplemental life
insurance
By providing the option of a full-time or part-time remote work schedule, employees enjoy improved work/life balance, report higher job satisfaction, and are more productive. Remote work is a management option and not an employee entitlement or right. An agency may terminate a remote work agreement at its discretion.
Learn more about the Paid Parental Leave 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 Rose Ibe at rose.ibe@azdoa.gov.
