Details
Posted: 24-Apr-26
Location: KALAMAZOO, Michigan
Type: Full-time
Salary: Competitive Salary w/benefits
Categories:
Executive
Executive – Executive Director
Sector:
Collegiate Sports
Required Education:
4 Year Degree
Internal Number: R-100208
Job Description
May include, but not limited to:
The Chief Operating Officer, Kalamazoo Event Center is a key member of the Executive Leadership Team responsible for the strategic leadership and operational execution of all activities at the Event Center. This role ensures world-class service and performance delivery in concerts, sporting events, entertainment experiences, private events, and athletic performance programming. The COO will drive excellence in guest experience, revenue growth, event execution, and operational efficiency, leading all venue operations, food & beverage, programming, guest services, and partnership execution.
Key Responsibilities:
Strategic Venue Leadership
- Lead the operational vision, planning, and execution for the Event Center and Athletic Performance Center.
- Partner with the CEO and executive team on long-term growth strategies, capital planning, and business development opportunities.
- Position the venue as a premier destination for concerts, sporting events, live entertainment, exhibitions, and athletic performance services.
Event Center Operations
- Oversee all facets of venue operations including front-of-house, guest services, facilities, concessions, security, production, and event execution.
- Manage the calendar of events and maximize booking strategies, balancing concerts, sporting events, community programming, and corporate activations.
- Deliver seamless execution of large-scale events with an emphasis on safety, fan satisfaction, and service excellence.
Athletic Performance Center Oversight
- Oversee daily operations and programming of the Athletic Performance Center.
- Ensure partnerships with sports teams, training programs, individual athletes, and health & wellness providers are executed with precision.
- Integrate sports science, customer experience, and athlete care into performance delivery.
Revenue Growth & Financial Management
- Drive operational performance through innovative programming, efficient staffing models, and cross-functional collaboration.
- Manage annual budgets, forecasting, and financial accountability across all departments within the venue.
- Optimize revenue streams including ticketing, F&B, merchandise, partnerships, and premium experiences.
Team Leadership & Culture
- Lead a multidisciplinary team of venue, event, and performance center professionals.
- Cultivate a high-performing, guest- and partner-focused culture through leadership development, accountability, and recognition.
- Promote collaboration across departments including Sales, Marketing, Security, Facilities, and Production.
Stakeholder & Partner Engagement
- Serve as the senior point of contact for major tenants, sponsors, promoters, community leaders, and contracted partners.
- Ensure contractual obligations are fulfilled, brand standards are upheld, and partner experiences exceed expectations.
- Represent the company in high-profile external engagements related to entertainment and sports partnerships.
Qualifications:
-
Bachelor’s degree in Sports Management, Hospitality, Business Administration, or related field.
-
6+ years of executive leadership experience in venue management, arena operations, sports or entertainment business.
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Proven track record leading large-scale, revenue-intensive venues (arenas, stadiums, or similar).
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Strong financial acumen, guest-centric mindset, and operational excellence in event and facility management.
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Experience with athlete training centers, live event execution, and guest experience design.
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Exceptional leadership, communication, and relationship-building skills with internal teams and external stakeholders.
About Greenleaf Hospitality Group
Western Michigan University is a learner-centered, research university, building intellectual inquiry and discovery into undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs in a way that fosters knowledge and innovation, and transforms wisdom into action. As a public university, WMU provides leadership in teaching, research, learning, and service, and is committed to enhancing the future of our global citizenry. Nationally and internationally recognized, the University aspires to distinguish itself as learner-centered, discovery-driven, and globally engaged. The synergy of these three pillars enables WMU to be a premier and distinctive university of choice. Western Michigan University offers all students a learning community designed for and dedicated to their success. We are committed to access and affordability, and sustaining an environment in which every student can meet the world head-on and triumph.WMU has more than 250,000 alumni worldwide, living in all 50 U.S. states and some 140 other countries. Of the University’s total alumni, about 73 percent —183,831—reside in America and about 51 percent—128,887—reside in Michigan.•The University has a diverse student body, with minor…ity groups making up 23 percent, graduate students 21 percent and international students 8 percent.•Despite its size and complexity, WMU has a 17-to-1 student-to-faculty ratio, two-thirds of undergraduate classes have 30 or fewer students, and undergraduates have ample opportunities to work closely with faculty researchers and artists.•Within three months of graduation, 91 percent of alumni are employed, engaged in military service or full-time volunteer work, or continuing their education; 88 percent are satisfied with their jobs; and 85 percent have jobs related to their degree.•Ranked No. 1 among Top U.S. Sales Schools by Study.com, the sales and business marketing program is one of just a handful of majors focusing on both selling and sales leadership and since 2007 has been recognized by the Sales Education Foundation as being one of the Top University Sales Programs.•National researcher Gartner lists the integrated supply management program among the nation’s 10 leading supply chain undergraduate programs and has done so for the past three years.•WMU has the world’s oldest, largest and premiere blindness and low vision studies program of its kind in the world.•The Haworth College of Business is among an elite group of fewer than 5 percent of business schools worldwide that are accredited at both the undergraduate and graduate levels by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business as well as among the select 1 percent that have additional specialized AACSB accreditation for their accountancy programs.
The Division of Intercollegiate Athletics adds to the vitality of campus life. WMU is committed to gender equity and is an NCAA Division I school in the Mid-American Conference (Football Bowl Subdivision) and National Collegiate Hockey Conference.•By posting the league’s best overall GPA for the academic year, the 398 student-athletes in WMU’s 15 Mid-American Conference sports brought home the 2016-17 MAC Institutional Academic Achievement Award.•WMU’s male student-athletes have had the highest overall GPA in the Mid-American Conference five times, capturing the MAC’s academic achievement award for men more often than any other school in the league.
In an effort to better define and measure what comprehensive excellence and the holistic development of Bronco Student-Athletes, Western Michigan Department of Intercollegiate Athletics and Director of Athletics Dan Bartholomae have unveiled Broncos REIGN: WMU Athletics’ Strategic Plan.
REIGN is the acronym for WMU’s mission and stands for Reign as champions; Empower those we serve; Inspire community; Grow leaders, and Navigate and adapt.
THE VISION: We will distinguish ourselves through COMPREHENSIVE EXCELLENCE enhancing the BRONCO LEGACY.
THOSE IT WILL SERVE: Bronco Student-Athletes: We will lead the country in the holistic development of our athletes. Bronco Fans, Alums, and Supporters: We will serve as collaborative and transparent partners with high-quality connections and energizing events. Bronco Staff and Coaches: We will create a welcoming and inclusive environment that supports personal and professional growth.
Broncos Reign took the values and priorities of the department and developed them into six strategic goals:
1) The Bronco Experience – Student-Athlete Holistic Development: We will be recognized as a national leader in the holistic development of our student-athletes.
2) The Winner’s Circle – Competitive Success/Championship Culture: We will annually compete at the top of our conferences, win championships and strive for national recognition in our sports programs.
3) Raising the Stakes – Aggressive Revenue Generation: We will develop and maximize sustainable resources to provide stable financial streams that lead our conferences.
4) Broncos United – Diversity Equity & Inclusion: We will be the front runner that drives our campus and conference standards for a welcoming, diverse and inclusive environment.
5) The Stables – Facilities: We will invest in facilities that enhance the student-athlete experience, provide events that are unique and memorable for our fans and compare favorably to our peers.
6) The Power of the Heard – Community Engagement: We will harness the power of our brand through strategic partnerships with our campus, community, the state of Michigan and Broncos worldwide.
The Division of Intercollegiate Athletics adds to the vitality of campus life. WMU is committed to gender equity and is an NCAA Division I school in the Mid-American Conference (Football Bowl Subdivision) and National Collegiate Hockey Conference.•By posting the league’s best overall GPA for the academic year, the 398 student-athletes in WMU’s 15 Mid-American Conference sports brought home the 2016-17 MAC Institutional Academic Achievement Award.•WMU’s male student-athletes have had the highest overall GPA in the Mid-American Conference five times, capturing the MAC’s academic achievement award for men more often than any other school in the league.
In an effort to better define and measure what comprehensive excellence and the holistic development of Bronco Student-Athletes, Western Michigan Department of Intercollegiate Athletics and Director of Athletics Dan Bartholomae have unveiled Broncos REIGN: WMU Athletics’ Strategic Plan.
REIGN is the acronym for WMU’s mission and stands for Reign as champions; Empower those we serve; Inspire community; Grow leaders, and Navigate and adapt.
THE VISION: We will distinguish ourselves through COMPREHENSIVE EXCELLENCE enhancing the BRONCO LEGACY.
THOSE IT WILL SERVE: Bronco Student-Athletes: We will lead the country in the holistic development of our athletes. Bronco Fans, Alums, and Supporters: We will serve as collaborative and transparent partners with high-quality connections and energizing events. Bronco Staff and Coaches: We will create a welcoming and inclusive environment that supports personal and professional growth.
Broncos Reign took the values and priorities of the department and developed them into six strategic goals:
1) The Bronco Experience – Student-Athlete Holistic Development: We will be recognized as a national leader in the holistic development of our student-athletes.
2) The Winner’s Circle – Competitive Success/Championship Culture: We will annually compete at the top of our conferences, win championships and strive for national recognition in our sports programs.
3) Raising the Stakes – Aggressive Revenue Generation: We will develop and maximize sustainable resources to provide stable financial streams that lead our conferences.
4) Broncos United – Diversity Equity & Inclusion: We will be the front runner that drives our campus and conference standards for a welcoming, diverse and inclusive environment.
5) The Stables – Facilities: We will invest in facilities that enhance the student-athlete experience, provide events that are unique and memorable for our fans and compare favorably to our peers.
6) The Power of the Heard – Community Engagement: We will harness the power of our brand through strategic partnerships with our campus, community, the state of Michigan and Broncos worldwide.
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https://ncaamarket.ncaa.org/jobs/22227809/chief-operating-officer-kalamazoo-event-center
