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

Oak View Group (OVG) is the global leader in premium live entertainment infrastructure and services with a platform spanning venue development and end-to-end capabilities across venue management hospitality and sponsorship sales. Founded in 2015 the company serves a collection of seven world-class owned venues and a client roster of the most iconic arenas stadiums convention centers music festivals performing arts centers and cultural institutions spanning four continents.

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 Universitys and venues 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 $100000 to $135000 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

The Oak View Group (OVG) will be the stadium operator for the Gateway District and reimagined David Booth Kansas Memorial its partnership with KU Oak View Group oversees the day-to-day operations of both the football stadium and conference center. OVG 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 field house.

The University of Kansas (KU) stadium is the David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium a historic venue in Lawrence Kansas currently undergoing a massive $448 million renovation as part of the KU Gateway project which has transformed the west side with new seating amenities and an intimate feel bringing the Jayhawks football back home after playing at other venues during construction..

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 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 universitys academic mission.

• 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.

• Bachelors 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 years experience at a senior level position serving as a AGMGM 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.

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 ourpeople improves ourservice and raises ourexcellence. 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.

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.