Assistant General Manager | Acrisure Arena - Oak View Group

Oak View Group is the global leader in venue development, management, and premium hospitality services for the live event industry. Offering an unmatched, 360-degree solution set for a collection of world-class owned venues and a client roster that includes the most influential, highest attended arenas, convention centers, music festivals, performing arts centers, and cultural institutions on the planet.

Utilizing initiative and independent judgment, the Assistant General Manager assists the SVP - General Manager in planning, directing and managing the day-to-day operations of the Acrisure Arena in Palm Desert, CA, including sales & marketing, finance, event services, operations, human resources, public safety, production, union related issues, and facility maintenance. Supervision is exercised over professional staff, who directs various sections in day-to-day operations. Responsibility further includes evaluation and development of recommendations to improve organizational administration, procedures, policies, and programs. Unusual problems and major changes in programs or policy are discussed with the SVP - General Manager.

This role will pay an annual salary of $135,000 to $175,000 and is bonus eligible.

For FT roles: Benefits: 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 December 31, 2024.

About Acrisure Arena, Palm Desert, CA

America’s hottest music festival destination is finally getting the world-class arena it deserves.  Having opening December of 2022, the Acrisure Arena provides the greater Palm Springs area of Southern California with a premiere 10,000+ seat venue to host the biggest artists and acts on the planet. Designed specifically for hockey and concerts, the new arena will provide top-tier hospitality, artist amenities, and all of the benefits of a modern music and sports venue.  In addition, the facility serves as the home of the American Hockey League affiliate of the Seattle Kraken, the Coachella Valley Firebirds. 

The Acrisure Arena is a $350+ million project that is being 100% privately funded through outstanding partners Oak View Group, Live Nation, and the NHL Seattle. 

Our Purpose:

We are building a championship organization that serves our fans, community and business partners through world class sports and entertainment.  We believe Winning Matters, our Fans come first, with risk comes reward, great teams can achieve unimaginable results, honoring the Coachella Valley is our duty and driving business is our responsibility.

• Assist the SVP General Manager in planning, directing and managing the day-to-day operations of the Center, including sales & marketing, finance, event services, operations, human resources, public safety, production, union related issues, and facility maintenance.
• Maintains active contact with the Client/Contract Administrator. Monitors OVG compliance with all provisions of the management contract.
• Actively promotes the use of the facility to maximize its utilization.
• Negotiates lease agreements as determined necessary and in the best interests of the facility.
• Negotiates contracts and agreements with event organizers, hosts, managers and agents.
• Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with the Client/Contract Administrator, tenants, government departments and agencies, entertainment/convention industry, community and civic organizations to encourage continual and regular use of the facility.
• Coordinates facility involvement with Convention, Local Sponsors and Visitors Bureau, as well as other appropriate destination marketing agencies.
• Assures the coordination, implementation and administration of specific plans and programs prescribed by corporate directives, to include: matters of training and development; quality assurance; energy efficiency; safety/emergency procedures, crowd control and crisis management procedures, or other areas as needed.
• Develops and implements facility goals in accordance with the management contract, the Client’s objectives, corporate policy, and good business practice.
• Prepares and maintains required and necessary reports/records for the Client/Contract Administrator and for the Corporate Office.
• Plans, organizes, coordinates and directs all activities and personnel engaged in maintaining and operating the facility.
• Assists and coordinates with the development of the annual operating calendar, activity schedules, projections for attendance and/or revenue
• Assist the General Manager in the development and administration of the facility’s operating and capital budgets. Work directly with the department directors in developing departmental operating budgets and revenue projections.
• Recruit, select, lead, motivate and evaluate director level staff; provide or coordinate training as needed; work with employees to correct deficiencies; implement discipline and termination procedures.
• Work with the departmental leaders in the day to day management of their various departmental disciplines; review and evaluate processes and results; identify and resolve deficiencies and challenges.
• Demonstrate continuous effort to improve operations, decrease turnaround times, streamline work processes, and work cooperatively and jointly to provide quality seamless customer service.
• Develop and implement programs, policies, and procedures for the Center.
• Assist the SVP General Manager in the oversight of the facility’s contract service partners (Food & Beverage, Parking, A/V, IT, Electrical).
• Develop or direct the development and preparation of comprehensive management reports and manuals (i.e. Operations Manual, Event Handbook, Annual Sales & Marketing Plan, Annual Preventative Maintenance Plan, Annual Facility Report, Booking Policies, Fire Code Rules & Regulations, etc.)
• Participate and leads various interdepartmental project groups, special projects, and task forces.
• Conduct a variety of organizational studies, investigations, and operational studies; recommend modifications to programs, policies, and procedures as appropriate.
• Represent the General Manager as needed at various meetings.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff, vendors, facility stakeholders and facility users
• Provide an extremely high level of customer service at all times.
• Other duties as assigned.

• Five (5) years of increasingly responsible experience in professional venue center management, with at least two (3) years of direct supervisory experience at the department director level.
• Experience opening an Entertainment Complex/Arena or similar type public assembly venue preferred.
• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university in public assembly facility management, hospitality management, business administration or a related field. Other combinations of experience and education that meet these requirements may be substituted.
• Operational characteristics of public assembly facility management.
• Modern management methods, long-range planning, principles of budgeting and supervisory techniques.
• Should possess a working knowledge of each area of direct and indirect supervision including sales & marketing, event services, safety & security, facility maintenance & housekeeping, finance and human resources, audio-visual, telecommunications and food & beverage operations.
• Contract development and negotiations including facility use license agreements, service agreements, and sponsorships agreements.
• Modern and effective customer service practices.
• Knowledge of EEOC, FLSA, OSHA, ADA and other industry related legal issues as well as Covid protocalls.
• Interpersonal techniques in dealing with unique groups and sensitive circumstances.
• Terminology used in convention and entertainment settings.
• Must have computer skills in Microsoft office applications and word processing, spreadsheets, database, presentation, and internet software.
• Capital Improvement Project Experience
• Facility Budgeting, Revenue Forecasting and Expense Control
• Plan, direct, and evaluate the work of subordinates.
• Perform a broad range of supervisory responsibilities over others.
• Manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Work under high pressure in meeting urgent deadlines.
• Provide visionary leadership to facility staff.
• Recognize, analyze and resolve challenges.
• Develop and implements programs, policies, and procedures for the convention center.
• Ability to develop comprehensive management reports and manuals (i.e. Operations Manual, Event Handbook, Annual Sales & Marketing Plan, Annual Preventative Maintenance Plan, Annual Facility Report, Booking Policies, Fire Code Rules & Regulations, etc…)
• Ability to conduct a variety of organizational studies, investigations, and operational studies; recommend modifications to programs, policies, and procedures as appropriate.
• Ability to interpret and apply Federal, State and local policies, procedures, laws and regulations.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff, facility stakeholders and facility users.
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely in the English language, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule including early mornings, evenings, weekends, holidays, and extended numbers of days.
•  To perform this job successfully, an individual should have knowledge of Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel and be internet proficient.

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 our people, improves our service, and raises our excellence. 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.