Event Manager

Churchill Downs Racetrack (CDRT) is the world's most legendary racetrack and the historic home of The Kentucky Derby, the longest continually held annual sporting event in the United States since 1875. Nestled in Louisville, Kentucky, CDRT operates across 175 sprawling acres and is equipped with a one-mile dirt track, a 7/8-mile turf track, stabling facilities, and seating capacity for approximately 60,000 guests. The racetrack comprises barns accommodating 1,400 horses and a 114-room dormitory for backstretch personnel, making it a pivotal establishment in the thoroughbred racing industry. Throughout the year, CDRT hosts three major racing meets: Spring, September, and Fall, in addition to a year-round simulcast wagering facility and a series of themed race days during Derby Week, including the iconic Kentucky Oaks. The combination of rich tradition, state-of-the-art facilities, and a dedicated workforce ensures that Churchill Downs maintains its position as a premier racing destination globally.

The Event Manager at Churchill Downs Racetrack plays a critical role in the seamless execution and organization of a diverse range of events, both on race days and during non-racing days. This position is central to the planning, preparation, and execution of marquee events such as The Kentucky Derby and all associated race meets, as well as numerous special events that include weddings, corporate retreats, internal trainings, evening receptions, and other private functions. As an Event Manager, you will collaborate cross-departmentally with sales, marketing, community relations, ticketing, and other teams to fully understand the needs and expectations for each event, ensuring that all requirements are met while adhering to facility policies.

Responsibilities extend from creating custom Banquet Event Orders (BEOs) outlining facility needs, food and beverage packages, event timelines, and staffing requirements, to designing custom diagrams for approximately 35 event rooms on-site. Event Managers are instrumental in managing client and vendor relationships, promoting exceptional customer service, and overseeing multiple high-profile clientele including dignitaries, officials, celebrities, premium ticket holders, club members, and key stakeholders within the thoroughbred racing community. The role demands a proactive approach to handling on-the-day requests, effectively addressing guest concerns around pricing, seating, and ticketing discrepancies, and maintaining professional and responsive communications at all times.

Physical aspects of the role involve light event setup tasks requiring extensive walking and occasional lifting of up to 20 pounds. Event Managers must be adept at multitasking in a dynamic, fast-paced environment, demonstrating excellent organizational, communication, and time-management skills. The ability to navigate challenges with professionalism and positivity is vital to success in this role. Experience in entertainment or sporting facilities, combined with proficiency in Microsoft Office and related software, are key assets for candidates. Churchill Downs Racetrack is committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace where innovation, respect for differing perspectives, and collaborative teamwork drive the collective achievement of organizational goals. If you are passionate about event management and eager to contribute to one of the most prestigious racing venues in the world, the Event Manager role at Churchill Downs offers an unmatched career opportunity.