Assistant General Manager, Events & Operations | Full-Time | University of Kansas Athletics

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Overview

The Assistant General Manager, 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.

Benefits for Full-Time roles: Health, Dental and Vision Insurance, 401(k) Savings Plan, 401(k) matching, and Paid Time Off (vacation days, sick days, and 11 holidays)

This position will remain open until July 10, 2026

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 3-5+ years management experience in a Stadium, Arena, Convention Center, or other similar public assembly facility.
• Minimum of 2 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.