LINDSEY J. ELDRED
Greenwood,USA
Summary
Dynamic event management professional with extensive experience at NCAA, excelling in budget management and project execution. Proven track record in enhancing championship experiences through effective vendor relations and team leadership. Adept at problem-solving and adapting to challenges, ensuring operational excellence in high-pressure environments. Seasoned Assistant Director of Events with background in planning, coordinating and executing successful events. Offer strengths in budget management, vendor negotiation and staff supervision coupled with a knack for creating memorable experiences that align with client objectives. In previous roles, demonstrated creativity and problem-solving abilities by delivering innovative event solutions under tight deadlines.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
Work History
Assistant Director of Championships & Alliances
NCAA
Indianapolis, IN
10.2023 - Current
- Provide leadership, operational management, and administration of three NCAA National Championships: Division II Wrestling, National Collegiate Bowling, and Division III Women's Tennis.
- Provide an exceptional NCAA event experience to all participants by ensuring championship equity and operational excellence.
- Serve as the staff liaison to the respective sport committees, made up of collegiate coaches, conference commissioners, and campus administrators.
- Oversee the process and management of committee proposals that relate to the governance and rules of their respective sports.
- Lead the sports committee through the selection process of teams that qualify for the national championship.
- Collaborated with championship hosts to ensure seamless event execution through credentialing and web streaming logistics.
- Manage all ancillary events associated with the championships, including activities related to team arrival, registration, memento distribution, and banquet.
- Serve as a liaison to national coaches' associations, and represent the NCAA at meetings and conferences.
- Administer post-event surveys, analyze the survey data, and present it to the respective sport committees for discussion on improvement.
- Managed inventory and resources to ensure availability and cost-effectiveness.
- Prepared reports and presentations for executive leadership review.
- Ensured compliance with safety regulations among all personnel.
- Established budgets and tracked expenses to drive operational efficiency.
- Negotiated contracts with vendors for services rendered or products purchased.
- Collaborated with finance department to manage budget and forecast expenses.
- Developed and maintained relationships with external partners and vendors.
- Demonstrated strong problem-solving skills, resolving issues efficiently and effectively.
Coordinator of Championships & Alliances
NCAA
Indianapolis, IN
11.2021 - 10.2023
- Assist in the coordination of the administrative requirements of the NCAA Division I Cross Country, Division I Indoor, and Outdoor Track and Field Championships, and assist with the administration of the NCAA Division I Men's and Women's Track and Field and Cross Country Committee.
- In addition, serve as a liaison for the NCAA Division III Women's Tennis Committee, and administer the Division III Men's and Women's Tennis Championship.
- Updated operations manuals and prepared communications.
- Serve as a liaison for Short's Travel for committee meetings and championships, and assist with selections and championship support.
- Oversee the selection, seeding, and bracketing process by following established Division III principles and guidelines for the NCAA Division III Women's Tennis Championship.
- Acted as primary contact for interactions with national governing bodies and sports leaders.
- Spearheaded planning efforts as a member of the Bid Process Team.
- Maintained calendars of upcoming events, meetings and deadlines.
- Organized venues, budgets, guest lists, catering and event timelines.
- Facilitated smooth on-site operations, resolving unforeseen issues promptly to avoid disruptions.
- Conducted pre-event site visits to assess venue layout and identify potential problems.
Assistant Director of Event Operations
Purdue University
West Lafayette, IN
05.2018 - 11.2021
- Served as the primary event manager for all home women's basketball and softball games, including the NCAA Tournament and Big Ten Championships.
- Coordinated logistics as secondary Event Manager for home football games.
- Coordinated credentialing processes for all athletic events held at home.
- Managed the booking of sports complex areas for competitions, training sessions, and external hires.
- Oversaw new event staff company during home sports functions.
- Mentored incoming Event Coordinator in managing schedules for all athletic venues.
- Expanded duties to include the ordering of credentials for men's basketball, women's basketball, Olympic sports.
- Collaborated with the Assistant Athletic Director to develop a student intern program.
Game Management & Facilities Manager
Purdue University
West Lafayette, IN
09.2014 - 05.2018
- Oversaw scheduling logistics for optimal utilization of sports venues.
- Oversaw volleyball, women's basketball, and softball home competitions.
- Managed and organized all athletic facility schedules, including intercollegiate team practices, competitions, university users, and outside organization users, using TeamWorks software.
- Oversaw logistics and managed operations as the tournament manager for the 2017 Big Ten Men's Tennis Championships at Schwartz Tennis Center.
- Oversaw the handling of season and single game day football credentials.
- Led staff in implementing a new credential board system for the 2017 football season.
- Executed the setup and supervision of the DVSport Replay System for home volleyball games in 2017.
Events Coordinator
Binghamton University
Binghamton, NY
09.2013 - 09.2014
- Conferred with the Associate Athletic Director in planning and managing over 100 events yearly, including athletic, student, and community events held at indoor and outdoor facilities, including the Events Center, which comprises tennis courts, a 5-lane track, high jump and strength training areas, meeting rooms, and an athletic training office.
- Initiated work orders for the University Physical Facilities Department to ensure optimal working systems for athletic events, such as men's and women's basketball, attended by up to 5,500 fans; high school and university commencements with up to 20,000 attendees; and tradeshows with over 10,000 attendees; conducted periodic walk-throughs for facility inspections.
- Managed schedules for all events, varsity practices, meeting rooms, and other events for the Events Center using the R25 and Google Calendar scheduling systems.
- Enforced university and NCAA regulations; currently guiding coaches and organizers in new rules governing summer camps, campus clubs, and clinics; placed in charge of scheduling and coordinating events.
- Met with vendors, community organizers, and other facility renters to negotiate contracts, set event requirements, scheduling, insurances, budgets, and regulations.
- I attended all events and maintained readiness to manage requests and problems, such as safety, security, power outages, and equipment malfunctions.
Education
Masters of Science - Concentration Sports Administration
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI05.2012
Bachelors of Arts - Sports and Recreational Management
Olivet College
Olivet, MI05.2010
Skills
- Public Relations
- Vendor Relations
- Contract execution
- Security and Safety Coordination
- Computer Proficiency
- Project Management
- Event management
- Budget management and forecasting
- Team leadership
- Communication skills
- Problem solving
- Adaptability
- Multitasking Abilities
- Customer relationship management
- Brand management
Affiliations
- Collegiate Event and Facility Management Association (CEFMA)
- Women Leaders In College Sports
- American East Conference Continuing Education Seminar
Key Qualifications And Accomplishments
- Known for outstanding communication skills serving as a pivotal point of contact between National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and university administration, as well as commissioners, coaches, athletic directors, outside vendors, fans, event organizers, security, and others in bringing about timely, smoothly running and safe indoor and outdoor events.
- Rely on broad-based knowledge of regulations, protocols, and practices, as well as project management experience, resourceful problem solving and professionalism in the planning and coordination of championships, banquets, and ceremonies.
- Working within a national association, honed public relations and communication abilities as central point of contact with involved parties disseminating and managing information to plan and carryout a wide variety of indoor and outdoor events.
- Adept at interpreting NCAA policies and procedures; coordinate enforcement as needed.
- Manage budgets and other financial details including internal financial reports and forecasting, and the review, adjustments, and approval of budgets/settlements with hosts.
- Expert in use of Box, InCopy, and InDesign to produce manuals, visitor guides and other documents, as well as Word, Excel, Outlook, Blackboard and others in carrying out responsibilities; also skilled in working with PACIOLA ticketing system software.
Timeline
Assistant Director of Championships & Alliances
NCAA
10.2023 - Current
Coordinator of Championships & Alliances
NCAA
11.2021 - 10.2023
Assistant Director of Event Operations
Purdue University
05.2018 - 11.2021
Game Management & Facilities Manager
Purdue University
09.2014 - 05.2018
Events Coordinator
Binghamton University
09.2013 - 09.2014
Masters of Science - Concentration Sports Administration
Michigan State University
Bachelors of Arts - Sports and Recreational Management
Olivet College
Similar Profiles
Raleigh WalkerRaleigh Walker
College Athlete at NCAACollege Athlete at NCAA
Samuel HillSamuel Hill
Basketball Referee at NCAABasketball Referee at NCAA
LÉLA GREENELÉLA GREENE
Division 1 Student-Athlete at NCAADivision 1 Student-Athlete at NCAA