General Manager

General Manager Position

Under the direction of the Chief Executive Officer, the General Manager serves as the senior organizational leader responsible for overseeing the strategic coordination, administrative leadership, and organizational alignment of stadium, campus, event, and business operations associated with the Rose Bowl Operating Company. The position provides executive oversight of operational execution, organizational performance, revenue generation, capital project implementation, stakeholder coordination, and cross-functional initiatives in support of the organization's strategic objectives. The General Manager oversees the day-to-day administration of the Rose Bowl campus enterprise, including Rose Bowl Stadium, Brookside Golf Course, licensed events, operational partnerships, and campus infrastructure, while working collaboratively with executive leadership to support operational excellence, organizational accountability, long-range planning, and strategic revenue-generating initiatives. The position ensures alignment with priorities established by the Chief Executive Officer, Board of Directors, and City of Pasadena.

Qualification Requirements

Experience / Education

Years / Type of Experience: Requires eight (8) years of progressively responsible leadership, including at least five (5) years' experience in sports, entertainment, venue management, hospitality, gameday experience, public assembly facilities, municipal enterprise operations, or related industries, including substantial executive or senior management experience overseeing complex operations, personnel, budgets, events, and capital projects. Experience managing large-scale public events, multi-department operations, public-private partnerships, and/or historically significant facilities preferred.

Education: Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Management, Sports Management, Public Administration, Finance, Communications, Hospitality, or related field required or any combination of training and experience which provides the required skills and abilities.

Certification(s) / License(s): A valid California Class C driver's license and acceptable driving record are required.

Specialized Knowledge / Training:

• Proven executive leadership and management skills within complex operational environments.
• Intrinsic motivation, entrepreneurial mindset, and commitment to advancing one of the nation's premier sports and entertainment destinations.
• Demonstrated ability to lead autonomously within broad organizational objectives while effectively directing professional staff and cross-functional teams.
• Strong strategic thinking, operational decision-making, analytical, and organizational skills.
• Ability to successfully develop, implement, and oversee complex cross-functional initiatives and operational programs.
• Extensive knowledge of venue operations, public assembly facilities, major events, gameday and guest experience, and operational logistics.
• Working knowledge of sports, entertainment, hospitality, revenue generation, and live event industries.
• Understanding of local and regional market dynamics, community impacts, and stakeholder considerations associated with large-scale venues and events.
• Experience with budgeting, financial planning, forecasting, and cost-control principles.
• Knowledge of operational risk mitigation, emergency planning, and public safety coordination.
• Experience overseeing capital improvement projects, infrastructure initiatives, and/or long-range facility planning preferred.
• Ability to analyze operational and organizational challenges, develop recommendations, and implement effective business processes and procedures.
• Experience coordinating with governmental agencies, consultants, regulatory bodies, and external stakeholders.
• Experience with grant funding, fulfillment, and external funding coordination preferred.
• Familiarity with business intelligence tools, operational analytics, and performance-driven decision-making preferred.
• Excellent communication, reasoning, creative problem-solving, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to maintain flexibility in schedule and availability to support operational and event-related activities, including nights, weekends, holidays, and extended hours as necessary.

Job Duties

1. Executive Leadership & Organizational Management

• Lead the day-to-day operational management of the Rose Bowl campus and associated business activities.
• Oversee professional staff responsible for stadium operations, event management, facility operations, campus readiness, golf course oversight, and related business functions.
• Collaborate with the Chief Executive Officer in implementing organizational priorities, strategic initiatives, and operational objectives.
• Foster a culture centered on accountability, operational excellence, collaboration, professionalism, innovation, and continuous improvement.
• Support organizational planning, staffing administration, operational alignment, and development of departmental responsibilities.
• Lead cross-functional coordination efforts necessary to support complex operational and event-related activities.
• Ensure operational readiness standards are maintained across all areas of the campus

Event, Venue & Campus Operations

• Oversee operational planning and execution for all events and activities licensed by the Rose Bowl Operating Company.
• Ensure all events and campus activities are executed safely, professionally, efficiently, and in alignment with organizational standards.
• Oversee operational coordination associated with major public assembly events including sporting events, concerts, festivals, community events, filming activities, and related campus activations.
• Coordinate with internal departments, operational partners, public safety agencies, transportation stakeholders, and event promoters to support successful event execution.
• Oversee operational readiness, facility presentation, crowd management planning, guest experience initiatives, and campus logistics.
• Support operational planning efforts related to safety, emergency preparedness, traffic management, and neighborhood impact mitigation.
• Oversee operational activities associated with Brookside Golf Course and surrounding campus uses.

Capital Planning, Infrastructure & Project Implementation

• Lead operational coordination associated with capital planning, infrastructure improvements, and campus development initiatives.
• Lead the development and implementation of the organization's Capital Improvement Plan and long-range campus planning efforts.
• Coordinate with architects, engineers, consultants, contractors, historical preservation stakeholders, City departments, and regulatory agencies associated with campus projects.
• Evaluate proposed projects and operational impacts in alignment with organizational priorities, operational needs, and long-term campus objectives.
• Prioritize infrastructure and facility improvement initiatives based on operational necessity, safety, guest experience, and strategic value.
• Support implementation and operational integration of approved capital projects.
• Support funding stakeholders and organizational leadership with project coordination associated with grants, donor-supported projects, and external funding opportunities.
• Coordinate with funding stakeholders including the Rose Bowl Legacy Foundation, City of Pasadena, outside agencies, and public funding entities in support of capital development, infrastructure initiatives, and campus improvement efforts.
• Support the administration, execution, and fulfillment of applicable State and Federal grant awards, funding allocations, and externally funded capital initiatives associated with campus improvements.

Strategic Business Operations & Revenue Generation

• Support the Chief Executive Officer in implementing short- and long-term business initiatives designed to strengthen organizational sustainability and operational effectiveness.
• Support revenue-generating activities across the campus enterprise through operational coordination, business planning, and event strategy.
• Identify operational efficiencies, business opportunities, and innovative approaches that improve organizational performance.
• Negotiate and administer operational contracts, service agreements, and event-related operational arrangements.
• Oversee organizational coordination and strategic relationships with key operational and business partners supporting campus operations, including golf course management, premium seating sales, multimedia rights, food and beverage services, security, custodial operations, and related service providers.
• Monitor operational performance and assist in ensuring organizational resources are utilized effectively and responsibly.

External Relations & Stakeholder Coordination

• Maintain productive working relationships with tenants, promoters, operational partners, governmental agencies, neighborhood stakeholders, and community organizations.
• Maintain executive-level relationships with key tenants, promoters, and partners associated with the Rose Bowl campus, including organizations such as UCLA, Tournament of Roses, Goldenvoice, Live Nation, AEG, RG Canning Enterprises, LA28, and other strategic stakeholders.
• Represent the organization at meetings, events, operational briefings, and public forums.
• Coordinate with City departments and external stakeholders to support operational alignment and successful execution of campus activities.
• Support communication and coordination efforts associated with community impacts, campus operations, and major events. We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, gender identity, marital or veteran status, or any other protected class.