Location: Lawrence,KS, USA
Oak View Group
Oak View Group is the global leader in venue development, management, and premium hospitality services for the live event industry. Offering an unmatched, 360-degree solution set for a collection of world-class owned venues and a client roster that includes the most influential, highest attended arenas, convention centers, music festivals, performing arts centers, and cultural institutions on the planet.
Position Summary
The Asst General Manager / Director of Events & Operations assists the General Manager in the efficient, professional, and profitable operation of the University of Kansas ( KU ) Gateway Stadium project and Conference Center. The purpose of this role is to manage, in conjunction with KU and Kansas Athletics, Inc. ( KAI ), all aspects of Events & Operations for the Stadium and Conference Center, making it a high profile, commercial public venue suitable for conducting national, international and community sporting and entertainment events, in a way that enhances the University's and venue's reputations along with the city of Lawrence and Douglas County.
This position reports to the General Manager and oversees all day-to-day operations at the venue including maintenance, groundskeeping/field management, engineering, conversions, cleaning, system operations and events. Assists in providing overall administrative planning, direction, policies to staff, assuring the highest quality service program to assure booking and rebooking of events. Provides overall administrative planning, direction, and policies to staff, assuring the highest quality service program to assure booking/rebooking of events. This position will oversee the events department, manage every aspect of events in the facility from the advance planning stages through the end of the event; position will recruit, train, motivate, and evaluate all front of house event staff including building security, guest services, medical staff, coordination of police presence, and parking issues and interact with local public safety officials to ensure events run smoothly; coordinate communication between event related staff and delegate assignments; be responsible for and ensure overall customer and lessee satisfaction. Ensures an effective and cost-efficient program by controlling the departmental operating budget. Provides highly responsible staff assistance to the General Manager.
This role will pay a salary of $100,000 to $135,000 and is bonus eligible.
For FT roles: Benefits: Health, Dental and Vision insurance, 401(k) savings plan, 401(k) matching, and paid time off (vacation days, sick days, and 12 holidays)
This position will remain open until Dec 31, 2024.
About the Venue
The Oak View Group (OVG), a leader in global sports and entertainment, will be the stadium operator for the Gateway District and reimagined David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium. In its new partnership with KU, Oak View Group will oversee the day-to-day operations of both the football stadium and conference center when Phase I of the Gateway District opens in August 2025. The group will lead the bookings of conference events, special events and concerts, while operating a membership-only dining club in one of the club levels of the stadium.
The Gateway District will transform the north entrance to campus in a profound way to drive student enrollment and economic benefit to Kansas. The project will develop a new campus gateway, multi-use space and upgraded football facilities, all of which will enhance KU's ability to recruit and retain students.
The most innovative component of this project is the development of multi-use facilities to be used throughout the year to generate revenue for academic programming and student success. In addition to the conference center, and as suggested by the project consultant, the project will potentially include a mix of arts and entertainment, dining, retail, office space, lodging and other uses that support economic development and the university's academic mission.
Responsibilities
* Oversees overall daily operation and maintenance of the stadium and all systems. This includes HAVC, sound, lighting, scoreboards/videoboards, fire protection, life safety, workplace safety and others.
* Assists with advancing and communicating event information to the appropriate departments and staff.
* Oversees the conversion of the stadium from one event use to the next.
* Oversee custodial services (contractor) for the venue.
* Administers and negotiates contracts with outside vendors including pest control, HVAC, scoreboard systems and other services.
* Develop and update comprehensive management reports and manuals (i.e. Operations Manual, Annual Preventive Maintenance Plan, Annual Facility Report, Fire Code Rules & Regulations, etc.).
* Demonstrate continuous effort to improve operations, decrease conversion times, streamline work processes and work cooperatively and jointly to provide quality customer service.
* Oversee facility maintenance, operations and related areas.
* Ensure timely and accurate communication from Events & Operations department to other appropriate departments and staff.
* Develop and administer the Operations budget and Capital forecast; budget of additional funds needed for staffing, equipment, materials and supplies, monitor and approve expenditures; implement adjustments as necessary.
* Responsible for health & safety compliance.
* Responsible for selection, training, motivating and evaluating direct reports.
* Work with direct reports and other department team members to correct deficiencies; implement timely disciplinary action as needed.
* Meets with General Manager on regular basis to discuss all matters pertaining to day-to-day operations and events as required.
* Maintain hazardous materials communications program, and material safety data sheets; maintain knowledge of changes in pertinent Federal, State and Local regulations.
* Responsible for all summaries of events produced by the Event Services Department.
* Develop operating procedures that conform to corporate standards, customized to the specific needs of the facility and consistent with the goals and objectives of the client, facility and corporation.
* Manage subordinate supervisors who oversee employees in various functions. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring and training employees; planning, assigning and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; and addressing complaints and resolving problems.
* Attend department head meetings and staff meetings. Develop and maintain a harmonious working relationship with all the other departments.
* Assist in the preparation of the annual operating budget and recommend an annual capital budget for long-range repairs and improvements to the facility. Authorize the requisition of equipment and supplies within budget guidelines.
* Investigate, analyze and resolve operational problems and complaints. Conduct periodic staff meetings to discuss procedures, problems, and policy changes.
* Coordinate events on selected shows/meetings.
* Assist in the preparation and negotiation of service agreements for event services security, event staffing and other agreements as needed. Review contracts for compliance with event and/or government specifications and suitability for occupancy.
* Act as liaison between unions, tenants, facility contractors and county emergency personnel as needed. Develop and implement emergency procedures, and safety and risk management policies.
* Research, reviews, and recommends equipment, materials and supplies required in providing event services and planning.
* Prepares schedules and assigns events to the Operations and Event staff.
* Meets with potential clients, advises them on the facility requirements, and negotiates sales of additional services.
* Works with KU service partners to provide quality service to customers.
* Serves as liaison for all facility clients to ensure highest level of customer service for all external service providers.
* Manages concerts, sporting events, meetings, tradeshows, conventions, and conferences contracted at the stadium and conference center.
* Develops policies and procedures for the Event Services and monitors their effectiveness.
* Establishes standards of customer service by working with departments in the facility.
* Develop and maintain a harmonious working relationship with all other departments.
* Evaluates facility practices and recommends improvements to better reflect the needs of KU and the facility and/or to improve the efficiency and safety of operations, in compliance with organization.
* Oversees the development of work plans, show floor set-ups, assigns appropriate duties to subordinates; makes hiring decisions.
* Serve as Manager-on-Duty for events as assigned.
* Other duties as assigned
Qualifications
* Bachelor's degree or better from an accredited college or university in Business/Hospitality Management or related field.
* Minimum of ten (10) years management experience in a Stadium, Arena, Convention Center, or other similar public assembly facility
* Minimum of 3 year's experience at a senior level position serving as a AGM,GM, or Similar role.
* Experience opening a new venue.
* Experience working with higher education and collegiate athletics.
* Ability to identify the needs of users and clients of the stadium.
* Knowledge of crowd management and control techniques.
* Great customer service skills.
* Proven leadership skills.
* Ability to apply conflict resolution and problem-solving skills in a team-oriented environment.
* Ability to express ideas clearly through both oral and written communication.
* Knowledge of budget preparation and control.
* Considerable knowledge of safety regulations and other federal, state or local laws and regulations.
* Effectively work under pressure and meet tight deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
* Ability to communicate with employees, co-workers, volunteers, management staff and guests in a clear, professional, and courteous manner which fosters a positive, enthusiastic, and cooperative work environment.
* Ability to make sound business/operations decisions quickly and under pressure.
* Solid working knowledge of computer applications: Microsoft office, POS systems, timekeeping systems.
* Ability to work well in a team-oriented, fast-paced, event-driven environment.
* Ability to work independently with little direction.
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.