Deschutes County Fair & Expo Director

Job Description:

Deschutes County Fair & Expo Director

Description

Summary

ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT:

Deschutes County is seeking a strategic, experienced leader to serve as its next Director for Deschutes Fair & Expo Center - a vibrant, multi-use venue that’s known as the premier facility of its kind in the Northwest.

You might hear some call it “the fairgrounds”—and for good reason. Since 1919, this is where we’ve hosted the Deschutes County Fair, a cherished summer tradition that draws over 300,000 visitors. But the Expo Center is more than just a fair. Throughout the rest of the year, over 1 million people attend music festivals, rodeos, motorcross, BMX, tradeshows and concerts each year. Included in this expansive space, you’ll also find the 167,000 square feet of exhibit space, an RV park and a four-acre County park.

ABOUT THE COUNTY:

We know where you choose to live, work and play matters. Deschutes County is one of the largest employers in Central Oregon and the largest municipal government in the region. Our dedicated and passionate workforce of more than 1,250 employees provide County services in a number of departments, divisions, and offices.

Located in the heart of Central Oregon, between the towering Cascade Mountain Range to the west and the high desert plateau to the east, Deschutes County is the outdoor recreation capital of Oregon. We enjoy a renowned quality of life, with big-city opportunities and small-town neighborhoods.

We hope you’ll consider joining our talented team.
ABOUT THE FAIR & EXPO CENTER:

Set in the heart of Central Oregon, Deschutes County Fair & expo is a modern, state of the art event facility set on over 300 beautifully manicured acres. Surrounded by a panorama of seven snowcapped mountain peaks that includes Mt. Bachelor, the Three Sisters; North, Middle and South, Broken Top and Mt. Jefferson, the facility is located in Redmond, Oregon, just 20 minutes from the nearby city of Bend.

• The Fair and Expo Center is known as the premier facility of its kind in the Northwest and is the venue for the annual Deschutes County Fair; the largest County Fair in the state of Oregon.
  
• The campus’ First Interstate Bank Center is one of the largest facilities of its kind in Oregon, and plays home to rodeos, motorcross, BMX, tradeshows and concerts each year.
  
• The Fair and Expo Center offers residents of Deschutes County diverse opportunities spanning social, cultural, recreational, agricultural, commercial, and educational experiences.
  

The dedicated staff at the Fair and Expo Center manages:

• 167,000 square feet of exhibit space
• 120,000 square feet of covered livestock and equestrian arenas
• 400 horse stalls
• A 105-space RV park complex
• A four-acre county park

These facilities are meticulously maintained to support a wide range of community activities and events. Deschutes County has been working on the strategic acquisition of an additional 120 acres to grow the full facility size to 460 total acres.
Learn more about the facility.

ABOUT THE JOB:

As Director, you'll be the visionary and operational lead for this vital public resource—responsible for overseeing event production, community partnerships, staff leadership, capital improvement planning, and year-round operations across the entire campus. Although Deschutes County owns the property and facilities, the Fair & Expo Center is a predominantly self-funded operation, supported by a Fiscal Year 2026 budget of more than $10 million. Leading a staff of 12 FTEs and temp staff, the Director works under the direction of Deschutes County, with strategic input from the Deschutes County Fair Board.

Key Responsibilities:
Leadership & Strategic Direction

• Develop and implement short- and long-term plans, forecasts, evaluations, policies and procedures, and recommendations for growth, modernization, and utilization of Deschutes County Fair & Expo property and facilities.
• Advise Deschutes County and the Deschutes County Fair Board on operational priorities, capital needs, and policy recommendations.
• Serve as the public-facing representative of Deschutes County Fair & Expo in media, public forums, and civic events.
• Ensure partnerships with Deschutes County Fair & Expo are successful, operate pursuant to the lease agreements, serve the general public, and maximize revenue.
• Maintain communications, cooperate, and coordinate with Deschutes County department directors and the County Administrator.

Event & Facility Operation

• Oversee all day-to-day activities of the facility and ensure the adequate provision of space, staff, services, utilities, maintenance, equipment, security, safety and other resources related to scheduling, event planning, logistics, maintenance, and customer service for the Deschutes County Fair, The Fair & Expo Center, as well as all necessary and related activities.
• Manage the production of the Deschutes County Fair, ensuring safety, entertainment value, vendor coordination, and community involvement.
• Negotiate, facilitate, and expand use of the venue for year-round events including trade shows, concerts, sporting events, livestock shows, and cultural festivals.
• Conducts studies, assessments and audits in conjunction with the Board of County Commissioners to strategize and prioritize property and facility needs for the county.
• Collaborate with event representatives to ensure county property is properly maintained and public safety is provided for.

Fiscal Oversight & Budget Management

• Manages an enterprise fund to facilitate the Deschutes County Fair, interim events and the Expo Center.
• Develop and maintain long range financial plans for strategic marketing, capital improvements, operational management and strategic partnerships.
• Develop, present, and administer the annual budget in alignment with County financial practices and transparency standards.
• Generate revenue through strategic event bookings, rentals, sponsorships, and partnerships.
• Lead all financial planning, data collection, and analysis for all events.
• Establish and administer contract rates and terms and execute agreements as the County’s representative via the processes and policies approved by the Board of County Commissioners.
• Monitor approved budget and expenditures.

Personnel & Organizational Development

• Lead a diverse team of staff members, including event coordinators, groundskeepers, customer service professionals, and maintenance personnel.
• Foster a collaborative environment where all employees are encouraged to contribute ideas, grow in their roles, and perform to the highest standards.
• Maintain a strong team culture focused on service, innovation, and excellence.
• Set clear expectations for staff performance, provide regular feedback, and support the professional development of team members through training, coaching, and mentorship.
• Oversee interviews, hiring, training, supervision of staff, and addresses problems or complaints as needed.
• Establish goals and performance metrics to ensure Fair & Expo objectives are met.

Community Engagement & Marketing

• Strengthen community partnerships with local businesses, nonprofits, schools, agriculture groups, and tourism organizations.
• Oversee all marketing, branding, and public communication for the Expo Center and Deschutes County Fair.
• Identify new opportunities for generating revenue through events, partnerships, and innovative services.
• Foster relationships with sponsors, external vendors, and community organizations to secure sponsorships and financial support for events and projects.

What You Will Bring:
Knowledge of or experience with:

• Proven expertise in budgeting, staff supervision, contract management, and event execution.

• Working with elected officials, public agencies, or governmental boards.
• Excellent interpersonal, strategic planning, and public communication skills.
• Familiarity with 4-H/FFA programming, agriculture events, and regional tourism is highly desirable.
• Principles and practices necessary to successfully manage a business operation in a public environment.
• Principles and practices of personnel management, budgeting and financial management, general bidding procedures and contracting in order to plan, develop, implement and evaluate the administrative procedures necessary to operate a major fair or regional exposition.
• Food service operations including Oregon liquor laws.
• Design and execute public relations campaigns, community outreach initiatives, and stakeholder engagement strategies to build awareness, support, and attendance.
• Principles, practices and procedures of the fair and exposition industry including laws and regulations governing the fair industry.
• Project management for capital improvement projects, budget and financial management and contract negotiations and management.

Skill in:

• Ability to select, develop, motivate and supervise staff.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with vendors, strategic business partners, first responders, and government leaders.
• Ability to exercise of tact, ingenuity, and resourcefulness.
• Ability to make verbal and written presentations in a clear and concise manner.

*This posting is not meant to be an all-inclusive list of duties and responsibilities, but rather constitutes a general definition of the position's scope and function. Notification to all candidates will be sent via email and/or text only. Please opt in for text messaging or check your email and your Governmentjobs.com account for application status. Review the full job description by clicking HERE. Review Fair & Expo flyer by clicking HERE .

Compensation

$11,365.01 to $15,230.21 per month for a 173.33 hour work month. Excellent County benefit package when eligible. This position is available immediately.

BENEFITS:

Our robust health plan is offered at a minimal cost of $95 per month for employee only or $116 per month for employee plus dependents, which includes an innovative on-site clinic, pharmacy, and wellness and wellbeing services. Additionally, we include life insurance, retirement (PERS), generous paid time-off (14-18 hours/month to start, pro-rated for part-time), holidays, and professional development opportunities. Please click HERE for full benefit details.

This position is open until filled. The first review of applications will be Monday, September 22, 2025.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Business, Recreational Management, or related field;
• AND five (5) years of increasingly responsible management experience in complex, multi-faceted operations, including administrative and management responsibility;
• OR any equivalent combination of training, education, and experience that provides the required skills, knowledge and abilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

Necessary Special Requirements

Driving is a requirement for this position. Possession of or ability to obtain a valid Oregon driver's license within 30 days of hire date. The employment offer will be contingent upon presentation of an acceptable and verifiable driver's license, pre-employment screening for criminal history, driving history, and controlled substances (NOTE: Positive test results for marijuana use may result in rescission of a contingent offer of employment). This screening must be completed with satisfactory findings in order for a formal offer of employment to be extended.
Must have dependable transportation and be able and willing to drive throughout Deschutes County in sometimes adverse weather conditions.

Excellent County benefit package when eligible.
Deschutes Countyoffers eligible employeesa comprehensive healthcare package that covers medical, prescription, dental, and vision coverage at a minimal cost of $95 per month for employee only or $116 per month for employee plus dependents. Coverage becomes effective the first of the month following1month of employment. Included in the health care package is the Deschutes Onsite Clinic (DOC), which provides a wide range of health, wellness, and primary care services to employees and their dependents. The DOC offers convenient hours and no out-of-pocket costs to patients. The DOC Pharmacy is a full service pharmacy available to employees and dependents to have their prescriptions filled at a discounted co-pay. In addition to the health care package, DeschutesCounty provides a generous and comprehensive benefits program to eligible employees.

Employer paid benefit offerings include:

• Life Insurance for employee and dependents
• Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance
• Long-term Disability Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Retirement Program through Oregon PERS
• Time Management Leave

Employee paid voluntary benefit offerings include:

• 125 Flexible Spending Program
• 457 Deferred Compensation Program
• Supplemental Life and Accident Insurance

To learn more about Deschutes County's generous benefit offerings, please visit www.deschutes.org/hr and click on Employee Benefits.

Salary:

$136,380.12 - $182,762.52 Annually