Vice President, Programming | Full-Time | Acrisure Arena

Vice President, Programming | Full-Time | Acrisure Arena

Oak View Group

Oak View Group (OVG) is the global leader in premium live entertainment infrastructure and services, with a platform spanning venue development and end-to-end capabilities across venue management, hospitality, and sponsorship sales. Founded in 2015, the company serves a collection of seven world-class owned venues and a client roster of the most iconic arenas, stadiums, convention centers, music festivals, performing arts centers, and cultural institutions, spanning four continents. 

Overview

The Vice President, Programming is responsible for the strategic leadership, planning, development, and execution of Acrisure Arena’s programming and booking strategy. This executive leader drives the acquisition and development of a diverse, high-quality calendar of concerts, family shows, sporting events, comedy, special events, and other live entertainment while maximizing venue utilization, attendance, revenue, and market impact. The Vice President serves as a key industry representative for Acrisure Arena, cultivating and maintaining high-level relationships with promoters, agents, managers, touring representatives, event producers, and internal OVG partners. The role works closely with arena leadership and cross-functional teams to ensure programming decisions align with the venue’s strategic, operational, financial, and guest experience objectives.

This role will pay an annual salary of $175,000 - $200,000 and is bonus eligible.

Benefits for Full-Time Roles: Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance, 401(k) Savings Plan, 401(k) matching, and Paid Time Off (vacation days, sick days, and 11 holidays)

This position will remain open until December 31, 2026.

Responsibilities

• Develop and lead the overall programming and booking strategy for Acrisure Arena, establishing short- and long-term priorities that support the venue’s business objectives, market position, and financial goals.
• Aggressively pursue and secure a diverse mix of ticketed and non-ticketed content to maximize venue utilization, including concerts, comedy, family entertainment, sporting events, special events, and other live entertainment opportunities.
• Direct the procurement of events and negotiate deal terms, contracts, and lease agreements with promoters, agents, managers, producers, and other industry partners in the best interests of Acrisure Arena and OVG.
• Build and maintain strong industry relationships that position Acrisure Arena as a preferred destination for touring content.
• Serve as a primary liaison with promoters, agents, talent representatives, touring personnel, and OVG booking resources.
• Identify, develop, and pursue new event concepts and programming opportunities not currently hosted at the arena, with emphasis on distinctive local, regional, national, and international content and opportunities that expand the venue’s audience.
• Evaluate prospective events using market intelligence, historical performance, routing opportunities, competitive activity, projected attendance, ticketing strategy, operational requirements, and financial return.
• Lead development of the annual event calendar and strategic programming plan, balancing event opportunities with tenant schedules, operational requirements, dark days, and other venue priorities.
• Partner with Marketing, Ticketing, Premium Sales, Partnerships, Operations, Finance, Food & Beverage, Security, and other departments on event planning, ticket-sale strategy, marketing support, event execution, and settlement.
• Provide strategic input on show-related marketing, positioning, sales collateral, public relations, and promotional efforts to support ticket sales and event performance.
• Collaborate with local and regional partners, tourism and business organizations, sports organizations, government entities, and community stakeholders to identify and attract major events that generate economic and community impact.
• Develop opportunities to maximize ancillary and non-event-day revenue through special events, private events, meetings, corporate functions, experiential activations, and other uses of arena spaces, as appropriate.
• Participate in determining event-specific operational and staffing requirements and ensure programming commitments are effectively communicated to internal stakeholders for successful execution.
• Provide executive leadership to the programming function, including establishing priorities, developing talent, setting performance expectations, and fostering a collaborative, accountable, and high-performing culture.
• Represent Acrisure Arena and OVG professionally at industry events, conferences, meetings, and other external engagements, maintaining the integrity and reputation of the venue and organization.

Budget Preparation & Financial Management

• Develop, manage, and monitor programming-related budgets, forecasts, and financial performance, including event projections, facility rental, ancillary revenue streams, and event-related expenses.
• Oversee event financial analysis and cost accounting to evaluate opportunities, manage risk, and support informed booking and deal-making decisions.
• Monitor event performance, attendance, revenue, expenses, and market trends; use results and post-event analysis to refine future programming strategy.
• Partner with Finance and arena leadership in the development of annual operating plans, forecasts, financial reporting, and long-range programming initiatives.

Leadership & Administration

• Provide timely, strategic guidance and recommendations to the General Manager and senior leadership regarding programming opportunities, market conditions, competitive activity, and business development initiatives.
• Ensure booking processes, agreements, records, reporting, and departmental practices are maintained in accordance with OVG policies, contractual requirements, and applicable venue procedures.
• Promote effective cross-functional communication through regular planning meetings, event reviews, and coordination with internal departments and external partners.
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned in support of Acrisure Arena and OVG business objectives

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business, sports management, hospitality, entertainment, marketing, or a related field preferred; an equivalent combination of education, training, and relevant experience may be considered.
• 10+ years of experience in arenas, venues, live entertainment, event booking, programming, or event development; significant leadership experience strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated success booking and developing events for an arena, large-scale entertainment venue, or comparable facility.
• Established relationships within the live entertainment industry, including promoters, agents, managers, touring representatives, event producers, and other key stakeholders.
• Proven experience negotiating complex event agreements and evaluating event economics, financial projections, deal structures, and risk.
• Strong knowledge of live entertainment touring, venue operations, ticketing, event marketing, event settlement, and revenue-generating functions.
• Proven leadership ability with experience developing teams, influencing cross-functional partners, and operating effectively with a high degree of autonomy and accountability.
• Strong business acumen, strategic judgment, communication, negotiation, relationship-building, and decision-making skills.
• Ability to manage multiple high-priority opportunities simultaneously in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule, including evenings, weekends, holidays, and extended hours as required by the event calendar.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Work is performed in an arena and office environment and may require attendance at events, meetings, industry functions, and other activities outside of standard business hours.
• This position may require travel for industry meetings, conferences, relationship development, and event-related business.

Strengthened by our Differences. United to Make a Difference

At OVG, we understand that to continue positively disrupting the sports and live entertainment industry, we need a diverse team to help us do it. We also believe that inclusivity drives innovation, strengthens our people, improves our service, and raises our excellence. Our success is rooted in creating environments that reflect and celebrate the diverse communities in which we operate and serve, and this is the reason we are committed to amplifying voices from all different backgrounds.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Oak View Group is committed to equal employment opportunity. We will not discriminate against employees or applicants for employment on any legally recognized basis (“protected class”) including, but not limited to veteran status, uniform service member status, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information or any other protected class under federal, state, or local law.

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