HWL TEAM LLC | HAPO CENTER | PASCO, WASHINGTON Assistant General Manager Full-Time | On-Site | Reports to the General Manager

W Harris GSC•Pasco, WA

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The HAPO Center is the largest and most versatile event venue in Eastern Washington — approximately 103,000 square feet of expo hall, arena, atrium, breakout and courtyard space hosting trade shows, concerts, sporting events, banquets, conferences and community gatherings year-round. The Assistant General Manager is the second-in-command of the facility and the operational counterpart to the General Manager. Where the General Manager leads sales, bookings and revenue growth, the Assistant General Manager owns everything required to deliver on what is sold: event setup and execution, guest and client satisfaction, facility condition and compliance, staffing, scheduling, and the disciplined control of labor and spending that makes each event profitable. This is a hands-on leadership role in a working venue. Success is measured less by how much is spent to make an event happen and more by how well the mission is accomplished with the right people, the right hours, and the right dollars.

Requirements

Three or more years of progressively responsible operations, facility or event management experience, including direct supervision of staff.
Demonstrated accountability for labor cost, scheduling and an operating budget.
Working knowledge of building systems, preventive maintenance practices and vendor-managed repair work.
Proven ability to manage multiple simultaneous priorities in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to work effectively with clients, staff, vendors and corporate leadership.
Proficiency with standard business software, scheduling or timekeeping systems, and the ability to learn venue management platforms.
Availability to work evenings, weekends and holidays as dictated by the event calendar.
Valid driver's license and the ability to pass a background check.

Nice To Haves

Experience in a public assembly venue — convention center, arena, fairgrounds, expo hall, hotel or conference facility.
Bachelor's degree in hospitality, business, facility management or a related field, or equivalent experience.
Experience managing union or event-day contract labor.
Certification such as CVP, CFM, CPO, food safety or alcohol service management.
Bilingual English/Spanish.

Responsibilities

Build event and facility staffing schedules that complete the mission with an efficient number of labor hours; adjust staffing in real time as event needs change.
Forecast labor for each event during the planning phase and compare actual hours to plan after the event.
Approve and monitor timekeeping, overtime and shift changes; control overtime through planning rather than after-the-fact correction.
Review, justify and approve facility purchases and service expenditures; obtain competitive quotes and negotiate pricing on repairs, supplies and contracted services.
Manage inventory of supplies and consumables to avoid both shortages and over-purchasing.
Support the corporate office on accounts payable and accounts receivable matters, including vendor invoice verification, purchase order accuracy, and timely event billing documentation.
Identify and act on cost-reduction opportunities without compromising safety, service quality or the client experience.
Oversee the complete event lifecycle — advance planning, room and floor setup, execution, breakdown and reset — for all events hosted at the facility.
Translate event orders, floor plans and client requirements into executable staffing and setup plans for the operations team.
Serve as the senior on-site operational authority during events, resolving issues in the moment and making decisions that protect both the guest experience and the budget.
Coordinate with clients, promoters, exhibitors, vendors, food and beverage, security and outside services before and during events.
Enforce safety, occupancy, alcohol service and emergency procedures throughout all events.
Gather and act on client and guest feedback; conduct post-event reviews and carry lessons learned into future events.
Own the condition, appearance and functionality of the entire facility, including interior spaces, grounds, parking areas and equipment.
Maintain and administer a preventive maintenance program covering building systems and equipment, ensuring scheduled work is completed and documented.
Ensure all required inspections — fire and life safety, elevator, kitchen and hood, backflow, and similar — are scheduled, completed on time, and that findings are corrected and recorded.
Schedule, coordinate and follow up on repairs to completion, verifying work quality and value received before invoices are approved.
Manage relationships and performance of maintenance, janitorial and specialty service vendors and contractors.
Maintain organized facility records, warranties, service histories, permits and compliance documentation.
Recruit, onboard, train, schedule and supervise operations, event, maintenance and custodial staff.
Set clear expectations and hold staff accountable to performance, attendance and conduct standards.
Conduct performance discussions and administer the HWL policy handbook consistently, coordinating with the corporate HR office on personnel matters, investigations and disciplinary action.
Develop supervisors and lead staff so the building can run well on any shift, not only when senior leadership is present.
Deliver and document required safety and compliance training for facility staff.
Provide accurate, on-time operational reporting to the General Manager and the corporate HWL Team office.
Contribute to annual budgeting and capital planning for facility and event operations.
Maintain accurate personnel, payroll, scheduling and expenditure records in company systems.
Act on behalf of the General Manager in the General Manager's absence on operational matters.