Athletic Turf Assistant Manager

Classification/Status : Exempt Reports to : Assistant Director of Stadium Operations Department : Stadium Operations Summary Objective The Athletic Turf Assistant Manager provides leadership and oversight of the Protective Stadium turf operations, ensuring the playing surface, surrounding grounds, and related facilities meet the highest standards for safety, performance, and appearance. This role manages the daily operations of the Sports Turf team, supervises the Sports Turf Supervisor, and coordinates with the Assistant Director of Stadium Operations to develop and implement short- and long-term turf management strategies. The Assistant Sports Turf Manager is accountable for scheduling, budgeting, vendor coordination, compliance with industry standards, and ensuring the field is game-day and event ready. Essential Duties/Responsibilities Demonstrates understanding and full performance ability in each of the following: Leadership & Supervision Provide direct supervision to the Sports Turf Supervisor and supporting team, offering guidance, coaching, and performance feedback to develop team members’ skills and ensure adherence to policies. Manage staffing recruitment, onboarding, scheduling, labor assignments, and workload distribution across the Sports Turf team. Foster a culture of safety, accountability, and continuous improvement. Lead staff training and professional development initiatives. Operations & Turf Management Oversee and direct all aspects of artificial turf management, including painting, scrubbing, infill, grooming, shock pad, drainage systems, and turf repair and replacement projects as needed. Supervises Field Conversion Team to ensure Protective Stadium’s field is well maintained, protected and game-day ready for each sporting event. Advanced knowledge of sports turf maintenance methods, practices and equipment. Ensure compliance with NCAA, NFL, FIFA, and other governing body standards for field layout, measurements, and surface requirements. Review and approve field marking plans, paint schemes, and logo applications prior to execution. Direct and evaluate field conversions between sporting events, concerts, and other uses of the stadium. Manages time of self and teammates, appropriately. Supervise maintenance and protection of the turf surface during non-sporting events and special functions. Strategic Planning & Budgeting Assist in the development and oversight of the annual turf operations budget, including labor, materials, and equipment expenses. Manage inventory control for turf supplies, paint, paint remover, infill, and field equipment. Develop long-term turf renovation and replacement plans in coordination with Stadium Operations leadership. Maintains department files, expense reports, and records as required. Source vendors, evaluate bids, and coordinate service contracts related to turf maintenance and equipment servicing. Equipment & Facility Oversight Ensure proper operation, preventive maintenance, and repair of specialized turf and field equipment including, but not limited to paint machines, groomers, tractors, padding, goal posts, staircases, and camera platforms. Implement asset management and lifecycle tracking for turf and field equipment. Ability to make and oversee small repairs to equipment and engines as needed. Oversee compliance with OSHA and facility safety standards regarding equipment and chemical use. Serve as a liaison between turf operations, stadium operations, and event management teams. Responsible for field gameday field measurement, marking and paint markings are accurate and completed in a timely fashion. Responsible for final review and approval of stenciling and painting logo field applications prior to gameday. Partner with collegiate and professional sports organizations to accommodate unique field requirements. Support event-day operations including field preparation, sideline setup, stadium tables, chairs, tents, stages, signage, and post-event cleanup. Respond to urgent or emergency turf issues and provide expert solutions. Responds to requests from management, vendors, event organizers and team members in a timely manner. Will attend meetings and training opportunities as required Perform other tasks as assigned. Work Environment This environment is fast paced and moderately demanding. Thrives in a fast-paced, evolving environment. Work is typically performed outdoors, regularly exposed to wet and/or humid conditions and outside weather conditions. Physical Demands Duties require extended periods of standing and walking. Limited amounts of physical effort such as walking, standing, climbing, bending, stooping, squatting, and kneeling. Ability to lift up to 50lbs with or without assistance, while maintaining good balance. Must be flexible enough to reach above shoulder level and be able to push and pull for brief periods of time. Visual acuity, speech recognition, and speech clarity. Requires essential motor skills to operate equipment used in sports turf operations including forklifts. Position Type/Expected Hours of Work This is a full-time position; hours of work must be flexible and varied to meet the demands of the events of the facility. Must be able to work extended and/or irregular hours including day, nights, weekends, and holidays, as needed. Required Education and Experience Minimum of five (5) years related knowledge, experience, and skills in sports turf maintenance and field marking or equivalent combination of education and experience with at least two (2) years in a supervisory capacity preferred Requires a minimum of three (3) years’ experience in field marking, measuring, logo stenciling and painting. High School Diploma or G.E.D. Trade or technical school training in related discipline preferred. Certification in sports turf maintenance or equivalent is strongly preferred Valid State of Alabama Driver License is required. Additional Eligibility Qualifications Maintain excellent customer services and communication skills with co-workers, clients and guests. High level of understanding of the sport’s governing bodies’ requirements for field layouts and markings. Must be able to work independently and be self-motivated. High degree of familiarity with and ability to use and maintain sports turf maintenance equipment. Ability to safely operate a forklift (certification preferred or the ability to gain certification), hand trucks, tools and equipment. The ability to understand the sequence of all field elements and their functions as to expedite the installation/dismantling process. Knowledge of the occupational hazards of building trades and of necessary safety precautions. Ensure that safety and risk management practices are followed in the performance of all work. Ability to solve problem and resolve client concerns. Demonstrates excellent time management and organizational skills. Must maintain exceptional safety practices when operating company vehicles or working near congested vehicle traffic. Must be willing to report any safety violation or potential safety hazards to management and act to remove or minimize any safety violations or hazards that within one’s ability. Strong attention to detail, problem-solving, analytical and decision-making skills required. Must possess superb verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to clearly speak and write Business English. Basic computer skill including Microsoft products preferred. #J-18808-Ljbffr