Assistant Director of Game Operations, Championships & Events

Be You. Be Bold. Choose Duke.

Assistant Director of Game Operations, Championships & Events

Be You.

At Duke, we celebrate individuality and the unique perspectives each member of our community brings to our world-class academic and athletics environment. As the Assistant Director of Game Operations, Championships & Events, you will play a pivotal role in creating exceptional experiences for student-athletes, coaches, fans, campus partners, and visitors.

In this highly collaborative position, you will help lead the planning, execution, and evaluation of athletic events, championship competitions, facility operations, and special events across Duke Athletics venues. Your ability to build relationships, manage complex logistics, and deliver high-quality operational support will directly contribute to the success of one of the nations premier athletics programs.

Be Bold.

As the Assistant Director of Game Operations, Championships & Events, you will serve as a key contributor to Duke Athletics event management and facility operations team. You will oversee assigned athletic facilities, support championship hosting efforts, coordinate game operations, manage event logistics, and mentor student staff while ensuring exceptional guest and participant experiences.

What Youll Do:

Facility Operations & Management

Manage Assigned Athletic Facilities

• Serve as Facility Manager for assigned athletic venues and support spaces, including:

• Jack Coombs Field

• Baseball Locker Room

• Oversee facility maintenance projects, repairs, and operational improvements.

• Coordinate installation and removal of Matrax flooring as needed.

• Conduct facility walkthroughs at least twice monthly to ensure safety, cleanliness, and operational readiness.

• Submit, monitor, and track facility work orders through completion.

Coordinate Facility Scheduling

• Develop and distribute weekly facility schedules.
• Manage facility access and usage requests.
• Coordinate door and elevator scheduling for assigned facilities and events.

Collaborate with Campus Partners

• Serve as the primary liaison with:

• Facilities Management Department (FMD)

• Environmental Services

• Landscape Services

• Sanitation and Recycling Services

• Coordinate staffing support requests with campus operational teams.

• Build and maintain productive relationships with campus stakeholders and contracted service providers.

Support Departmental Projects

• Assist with facility initiatives and operational projects as assigned by the Director of Athletic Facilities.
• Obtain and maintain forklift certification as required.

Game Operations & Event Management

Lead Game Day Operations

• Develop comprehensive game day operational materials, including:

• Game day guides

• Visiting team guides

• Officials guides

• Broadcast and television operations guides

• Coordinate event staffing plans and game day deployment schedules.

• Manage parking, traffic flow, and event logistics in collaboration with facility operations personnel.

• Maintain game management timelines, operational documents, briefings, and data sheets.

• Ensure venue operations plans and emergency response procedures remain current and effective.

• Assist with game operations budget preparation, monitoring, and reconciliation.

Baseball Operations Leadership

• Serve as the primary Game Operations Manager for Baseball.
• Act as Facility Liaison for ACC Baseball Championship practice and batting practice operations.
• Serve as Tournament Director for NCAA Baseball Championship events hosted at Duke.

Fencing Operations Leadership

• Serve as Game Operations Manager for Fencing competitions.
• Function as Tournament Director for ACC Fencing Championships.
• Support NCAA Fencing Championships as Tournament Manager.

Football Operations Support

• Serve as Secondary Manager and Command Center Liaison for Football operations.
• Coordinate command center preparations and event readiness.
• Assist with football-specific parking, traffic, and exterior operational planning.
• Collaborate with game and operations managers to ensure seamless event execution.

Basketball & Olympic Sports Support

• Participate on the Basketball Entry Operations Team.
• Provide operational support for basketball contests, Olympic sports competitions, and major athletics events as assigned.

Championships Management

Coordinate Conference and NCAA Championships

• Develop championship operational plans and event management guides.
• Oversee championship staffing, logistics, parking, and traffic management.
• Prepare and manage championship budgets and financial settlements.
• Maintain championship timelines, operational documents, and staffing plans.
• Assist with championship bid development and submission processes.
• Monitor and manage championship event budgets to ensure fiscal responsibility.

Special Events Management

Support External and Special Events

• Partner with the Director of Special Events and facility management teams to coordinate:

• Venue operations

• Event staffing

• Guest services

• Parking and traffic management

• Maintain operational timelines, staffing plans, and event documentation.

• Execute events within approved budgets and operational expectations.

• Serve as primary event operations support for activities hosted at Jack Coombs Field.

• Provide operational leadership for special events as assigned.

Leadership & Administrative Responsibilities

Student Development

• Mentor and support student interns assigned to the department.
• Provide training, professional guidance, and leadership development opportunities.
• Foster a collaborative environment that supports learning and growth.

Administrative Support

• Maintain departmental office voicemail and shared email communications.
• Assist with departmental initiatives and operational planning activities.
• Support strategic objectives established by Athletics leadership.

What Youll Bring

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of collegiate athletics event management, facility operations, and championship administration.
• Strong project management and organizational skills.
• Ability to manage multiple events and priorities simultaneously.
• Knowledge of crowd management, safety protocols, and emergency planning.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with coaches, administrators, campus partners, vendors, and external stakeholders.
• Experience developing event operations plans, staffing schedules, and logistical strategies.
• Strong budget management and fiscal accountability skills.
• Ability to lead under pressure and adapt to rapidly changing event environments.

Leadership Characteristics

• Demonstrates initiative, accountability, and sound judgment.
• Maintains a commitment to service excellence and operational efficiency.
• Builds strong partnerships across the Athletics Department and University community.
• Leads with professionalism, inclusivity, and a collaborative mindset.
• Supports continuous improvement and innovation in athletic event operations.

Minimum Qualifications

Education

Bachelors degree required.

Experience

Experience in athletics event management, facility operations, championship administration, sports operations, or a related field required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting NCAA and conference championship events.
• Experience managing athletic venues and complex event logistics.
• Experience supervising student staff, interns, or event personnel.
• Experience with budget planning and event financial management.

Licenses & Certifications

• Ability to obtain and maintain Duke forklift certification as required.
• Valid drivers license preferred.

Choose Duke.

At Duke, youll join a nationally recognized athletics program committed to excellence on and off the field. Youll help create memorable experiences for student-athletes, coaches, alumni, fans, and visitors while supporting championship-caliber events and facilities.

Whether coordinating a major championship, supporting game day operations, or mentoring future leaders, your work will have a meaningful impact on the Duke Athletics experience.

Ready to Make a Difference?

Apply now and help deliver exceptional game day experiences, championship events, and athletic facility operations that showcase the best of Duke Athletics.

Minimum Qualifications

Education

Work requires analytical, communications and organizational skills generally acquired through completion of a bachelors degree program.

Experience

Work requires three years of experience in program administration or involving academic, instructional or counseling activities to acquire skills necessary to plan, coordinate and implement a variety of program activities and events. OR AN EQUIVALENT COMBINATION OF RELEVANT EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE

Degrees, Licensures, Certifications

Anticipated Pay Range: Duke University provides an annual base salary range for this position as USD $49,939.00 to USD $79,487.00. Duke University considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position; candidates work experience, education/training, and key skills; internal peer equity; as well as market and organizational considerations when extending an offer.

Your total compensation goes beyond the dollars on your paycheck. Duke provides comprehensive and competitive medical and dental care programs, generous retirement benefits, and a wide array of family-friendly and cultural programs to eligible team members. Learn more at: https://hr.duke.edu/benefits/

Equal Opportunity Employer: Duke is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individuals age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy and pregnancy- related conditions), sexual orientation, or military status.

Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas-an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.

Essential Physical Job Functions:

Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essential job functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and reasonable accommodation(s) can be requested with Duke Access and Accommodations Services (email: DAAS@duke.edu; phone: 919-668-1267).