Director of Parking Operations, Events - Austin, TX

The Director of Parking Operations - Events supports the General Manager with complete oversight of the financial, operational, safety, service, and people performance of event parking operations within the market. This position is directly responsible for the planning and execution of parking operations for high-volume events, venues, and special event locations, with oversight from the General Manager. The Director of Parking Operations - Events is responsible for ensuring each event is properly planned, staffed, and executed while delivering a safe, efficient, and exceptional experience for clients, guests, and employees. This role requires strong operational leadership, workforce planning, client relationship management, and the ability to successfully execute complex operations in fast-paced, high-volume environments. Event Operations Managers and other designated event operational leaders will report directly to this role. Principal Job Duties Responsible for the financial, operational, safety, and service success of all assigned event parking operations within the market. Lead the planning and execution of parking operations for large-scale events, including traffic flow, ingress and egress, staffing, equipment, signage, revenue collection, guest experience, and emergency/contingency planning. Develop and execute strategies to maximize revenue, control labor and operating expenses, and ensure profitability across the event portfolio. Build and maintain strong client and venue relationships through regular communication, responsiveness, operational planning, and delivery of exceptional service. Collaborate with clients, venue leadership, security, law enforcement, transportation partners, and other stakeholders as necessary to ensure coordinated event execution. Conduct pre-event planning meetings and post-event recaps to identify operational needs, evaluate results, and continuously improve event execution. Manage, plan, schedule, train, and direct the activities of Event Operations Managers and other operational leaders. Ensure appropriate staffing levels based on event attendance, parking inventory, traffic patterns, contractual requirements, and anticipated operational demand. Ensure customer satisfaction, revenue performance, and operational efficiency are maximized while maintaining the highest levels of safety and service. Conduct regular operational and safety audits and ensure incidents are properly investigated, documented, and addressed. Develop and maintain contingency plans for weather, traffic disruptions, equipment failures, staffing shortages, emergencies, and other circumstances that may impact event operations. Promote a culture of safety, accountability, hospitality, and operational excellence throughout all event locations. Additional duties as assigned. People Ensure pre-event operational meetings, client meetings, and post-event recaps are attended by Event Operations Managers or designated team members. Ensure LAZ pre-shifts are conducted before each event or operational shift through Event Operations Managers, Supervisors, or Shift Leads. Lead workforce planning for events, ensuring appropriate staffing levels are identified well in advance of each event. Partner with Human Resources and Talent Acquisition to develop recruiting strategies necessary to maintain an event workforce capable of supporting the market's event calendar. Assist with the management and development of event parking teams to accomplish annual and periodic goals and initiatives while embodying LAZ Parking's culture. Identify and develop high-potential employees capable of supporting larger events, expanded responsibilities, and future organizational growth. Establish clear expectations and accountability for Event Operations Managers, Supervisors, Leads, and frontline employees. Ensure employees receive appropriate training related to parking operations, customer service, traffic control, revenue procedures, safety, and venue-specific requirements. Ensure safety initiatives are communicated and implemented for new and existing employees. Process and resolve operational and safety concerns within event operations, utilizing appropriate internal resources as needed. Maintain a strong leadership presence during major events, particularly those involving significant attendance, operational complexity, or client visibility. Manage, plan, schedule, train, and direct the activities of the Events portfolio within the market. Product Drive service results and establish performance goals by monitoring client feedback, guest experience, operational results, and LAZ service metrics. Responsible for cultivating client relationships, client satisfaction, and business retention. Develop comprehensive event operating plans addressing parking inventory, staffing, traffic management, equipment, signage, revenue controls, ADA accommodations, VIP parking, and other event-specific requirements. Ensure event plans effectively manage vehicle ingress and egress while minimizing congestion and maximizing available parking inventory. Coordinate with venue management, security, law enforcement, traffic management personnel, and other operational partners when necessary. Implement and complete projects, programs, and initiatives related to assigned venues and event parking operations. Understand, implement, and deliver all requirements outlined within contractual agreements between LAZ Parking and its clients. Responsible for planning and executing the opening of new event parking locations and venue partnerships within the market. Participate in proposals, underwriting, site visits, operational planning, and presentations for event-related business development opportunities. Identify opportunities to improve parking utilization, traffic flow, guest experience, operational efficiency, and revenue generation. Evaluate event performance following major events and implement operational improvements based on results, client feedback, employee feedback, and observed challenges. Maintain operational readiness for changing event schedules, attendance projections, weather conditions, and other variables that may impact parking demand. Profit Responsible for the overall financial success of the event parking portfolio, including revenue performance, labor management, operating expenses, and audit compliance. Develop event-level staffing models and labor plans designed to meet operational needs while controlling costs. Monitor event profitability and identify opportunities to increase revenue, improve productivity, and reduce unnecessary operating expenses. Responsible for ensuring payroll processing is completed successfully across event operations, including timely approval of hours and collaboration with Payroll and Human Resources to ensure accurate pay and wage-and-hour compliance. Ensure event revenue, parking counts, labor information, and other required operational data are entered accurately and timely. Maintain appropriate revenue controls and ensure cash, credit card, mobile payment, prepaid parking, validation, and other revenue processes follow established LAZ and client procedures. Responsible for financial management of assigned event locations and adherence to approved budgets and operating plans. Prepare and review daily, weekly, monthly, annual, and event-specific financial and operational reports as required. Prepare budgets and forecasts and conduct regular profit-and-loss reviews for the assigned portfolio. Monitor labor cost per event, revenue per vehicle, parking utilization, staffing productivity, and other key performance indicators. Review event results against forecasts and identify the operational drivers of favorable or unfavorable financial performance. Monitor and analyze market parking rates, event pricing, competitive conditions, and opportunities for revenue enhancement. Ensure claims, incident investigations, guest follow-up, safety training, prevention initiatives, and required reporting are completed consistently and timely. Education Bachelor's Degree or equivalent combination of education and relevant work experience required. Experience 5-7 years of parking, event, venue, hospitality, transportation, or related operations management experience, preferably with multi-site or high-volume operational oversight. Experience managing large-scale events, parking operations, venues, stadiums, arenas, entertainment districts, convention centers, or similarly complex operations strongly preferred. Demonstrated experience leading large frontline workforces in fast-paced environments. Strong workforce planning and scheduling experience, particularly for operations with fluctuating staffing demands. Financial acumen with direct P&L responsibility, budgeting, forecasting, and labor management experience. Must have experience managing P&Ls and understanding the operational drivers that impact profitability. Excellent leadership, communication, problem-solving, and client relationship skills. Experience developing and executing detailed operational plans for high-volume events or similarly complex operations. Ability to make sound operational decisions quickly in changing or high-pressure environments. Must be willing and able to work a flexible schedule based on the event calendar, including nights, weekends, holidays, and extended hours as operationally necessary. Must be willing to travel between event locations and venues throughout the market as needed. Experience managing multiple locations, venues, or operating units preferred. Valid driver's license required. Previous experience working in a fast-paced environment with high client and customer expectations. Demonstrated ability to cultivate and strengthen client relationships. Proficiency in Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, and general Microsoft Office applications. Skills Strong operational planning, organizational, and execution skills. Ability to lead large teams and coordinate multiple operational functions simultaneously. Ability to communicate professionally and effectively with clients, employees, venue leadership, public safety partners, and other stakeholders. Ability to speak, read, and comprehend the English language. Strong analytical skills with the ability to use operational and financial data to make business decisions. Ability to anticipate operational challenges and develop effective contingency plans. Must be open to feedback, differing opinions, and other points of view. Demonstrates a strong sense of urgency, timeliness, and ownership. Demonstrates the ability to identify opportunities for continuous improvement. Excellent team-building, coaching, and interpersonal skills. Ability to remain composed and make effective decisions during high-volume or rapidly changing event operations. Strong commitment to safety, hospitality, accountability, and operational excellence. Physical Demands Willingness and ability to work outdoors and in varying weather conditions, including heat, wind, cold, and rain. Ability to stand and walk for extended periods during event operations. Ability to work in high-traffic environments and move throughout large parking facilities, venues, and event sites. Ability to lift, push, and pull at least 50 pounds. Ability to work nights, weekends, holidays, and extended shifts based on event schedules and operational needs. FLSA Status Exempt LAZ Parking is an equal opportunity employer. In all our employment practices, including hiring, we are firmly committed to providing equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, age, genetics, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. LAZ Parking participates in E-Verify. #J-18808-Ljbffr LAZ Parking