ARIZONA EXPOSITION AND STATE FAIR BOARD

The Arizona Exposition and State Fair (AESF) has been an annual tradition since 1884, providing unlimited opportunities to celebrate Arizona’s culture and community. The Arizona State Fair is the largest single event in the State, bringing over 1.5 million people together each Fall for food, fun, and memories that last a lifetime.

Deputy Director - Events, Security, Operations

Job Location:

1826 West McDowell Road

Phoenix, AZ 85007

Posting Details:

Salary: $126,500 

Grade: E3

This position will remain open until business needs are met

Job Summary:

This Deputy Director assumes the operational role of creating synergy across departments with the requirements of a high-level agency director. This position will serve as the primary lead for guest services, security, parking, event management, physical plant operations administration, procurement and budget oversight, and state partners coordination.

Responsible for fiscal management of departments, as well as statutory oversight and liability implications.

This position will specifically support the Executive Director in managing and creating a clean and safe environment for the Arizona Exposition & State Fairgrounds beyond the annual State Fair itself.

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.

Job Duties:

Fair Operations Oversight:

•Oversight of all OSHA compliance and safety programs. Operational standards development and oversight

• Overseeing and elevating all guest services and customer-related relationships

• Overseeing physical plant operations and coordination

• Overseeing total fairgrounds security and safety

Stakeholder Coordination:

• Work with the Accounting Supervisor/ Fairgrounds CFO on creating a working budget for all operations departments

• Communicate and coordinate with the Executive Director and dual Deputy Director on a regular basis

• Main contact with all DHS, DPS, Phoenix PD, FEMA, and other key agencies

Staff Leadership:

• Coordinating with HR and department heads on all standardization and training

• Coordinating all staff (event and full-time) safety and security training

• Managing overall events and Fair's physical and support staffing

Fair Procurement & Budget Oversight:

• Managing departmental budgeting in coordination with the overall fairgrounds budget

• Coordinating and overseeing the arena food and drink concessionaire

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (KSAs):

Knowledge of:

• 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 annual attendance of over 500,000

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

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

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

Skills in:

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

• Proven management experience in venue operations, fairgrounds, or public facility management, with annual attendance of over 500,000

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

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

• Excellent interpersonal, strategic planning, and public communication skills

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

Ability to:

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

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

• Select, develop, motivate, and supervise staff

• Exercise tact, ingenuity, and resourcefulness

Pre-Employment Requirements:

• 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.

Benefits:

The State of Arizona offers a comprehensive benefits package, including:

• 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 program here. For a complete list of benefits provided by the State of Arizona, please visit our benefits page

Retirement:

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

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

Contact Us:

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