Managing Director, Venue and Event Sales presso Vanderbilt University

Position Summary:
The Managing Director, Venue and Event Sales will serve as the strategic and operational lead for the planning, booking, programming and execution of high-impact events across Vanderbilt Enterprises. This candidate will proactively sell Vanderbilt’s campus facilities—including FirstBank Stadium, athletic venues, academic halls, lawns, and hospitality spaces—for concerts, weddings, private events, corporate events, conferences, and community activations. The MD will be responsible for curating a dynamic, diverse calendar of events that reflect the institution’s values and enhance its reputation locally, nationally, and globally.

The ideal candidate will be a commercially minded, entrepreneurial, high-energy leader with deep experience in event strategy, talent booking, and venue operations. This role will oversee Vanderbilt’s key event spaces and work closely with internal and external stakeholders to maximize usage, elevate the guest experience, and drive revenue-generating opportunities beyond traditional academic and athletics programming. The MD will be responsible for identifying scalable opportunities, managing operational complexities across multiple venues, and developing a premium event offering aligned with the University’s mission. This person must bring a proven ability to deliver results, develop talent, and shape a first-class experience that engages the broader Vanderbilt community.

About the Work Unit:
Vanderbilt Enterprises is a newly launched strategic initiative created to advance mission-aligned ventures that generate sustainable revenue and support Vanderbilt University’s long-term priorities. In July 2025, global hospitality leader Markus Schreyer was appointed as the venture’s inaugural CEO.

In this role, Schreyer will collaborate closely with Vice Chancellor for Athletics and University Affairs and Athletic Director Candice Storey Lee and her team to identify and develop innovative revenue-generating opportunities that strengthen Vanderbilt Athletics and further the university’s broader ambitions. This work reflects Vanderbilt’s forward-thinking vision for the future of college athletics, drawing inspiration from best practices across professional sports, entertainment, and hospitality –reimagined for the collegiate landscape.

The scope of Vanderbilt Enterprises will continue to grow, encompassing new ventures and partnerships that unlock the full potential of the university’s assets, including facilities, services, and merchandising, in ways that enhance the academic mission and position Vanderbilt for enduring success and growth.

Key Functions and Expected Performance:
• Cement Vanderbilt as a premier destination for “can’t miss” experiences in Nashville, overseeing the      booking of world-class sports, entertainment, corporate and cultural events and conferences aligned with  the university’s mission and brand.
• Develop and manage a multi-year sales strategy and CRM-driven pipeline of corporate and  entertainment clients.
• Develop and manage venue inventory and professional marketing materials.
• Oversee the launch, scheduling, and management of new and existing venues –including multipurpose  spaces, stadium environments, and premium hospitality settings –ensuring operational excellence and  guest satisfaction.
• Own the P&L across Vanderbilt Enterprises’ events portfolio, managing revenue forecasts, expense  controls, and profitability benchmarks, while ensuring long-term financial health and growth.
• Partner with internal operations, facilities, and marketing teams to ensure event delivery and client  success via leadership of the University Conference & Events planning and Catering team. Coordinate all  operational aspects of live events including scheduling, contracting, pro forma modeling, production  logistics, vendor management, customer service, show settlements, and financial reporting.
• Lead strategy for rate optimization, seasonal promotions, and revenue maximization
• Build and maintain a robust talent and content pipeline through deep relationships with agents,  promoters, academic institutions, and industry leaders to attract premier speakers, performers, and event  partners.
• Act as the primary liaison with capital projects and facilities teams for ongoing and future construction of  new event spaces, including advising on venue programming needs, layout optimization, and operational  readiness.

Supervisory Relationships:
This position will supervise the Conference & Events and Catering teams, and collaborates closely with external consultants and internal teams.

Education and Certifications
• A bachelor’s degree in business, finance, economics, or related field; MBA or advanced degree preferred.

Experience and Skills:
• 10-15+ years of senior-level experience in the live event, conference, or entertainment industry with a  strong background in booking, revenue strategy, and venue operations across multiple high-performing  venues.
• Proven experience in high-volume venue sales (stadiums, arenas, large event spaces, conferences &  events) with strong negotiating skills.
• Strong network in the corporate events, live entertainment, lifestyle, and sports.
• Demonstrated ability to drive $3M–$5M+ in annual bookings.
• Deep understanding of the broader entertainment and conference landscape, particularly in large-scale,  premium event environments with educational or mission-driven impact.
• Strong financial acumen with experience developing and managing multi-million-dollar budgets,  financial reporting, and monetization strategies.
• Expertise in audience development, brand marketing, and community engagement to grow and diversify  attendance, with a keen eye toward elevating the guest and stakeholder experience.
• Exceptional communication skills, with the ability to clearly articulate vision and strategy to internal  stakeholders, donors, sponsors, and public audiences.
• High EQ leadership style, with the ability to inspire cross-functional teams, navigate organizational  dynamics, and foster inclusive, collaborative cultures.
• Demonstrated ability to drive strategic decision-making and operational excellence through data analysis,  performance metrics, and continuous improvement.
• Track record of managing multiple complex projects simultaneously while maintaining focus on quality,  efficiency, and institutional mission alignment.
• Strong vision and long-term planning capabilities, with the ability to implement scalable, strategic  initiatives aligned with Vanderbilt Enterprises’s goals.

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