Director of Rides Maintenance

ANAKEESTA•Knoxville, TN

2d•Onsite

About The Position

Anakeesta is seeking an experienced and strategic Rides Maintenance Director to lead all maintenance operations within our award-winning mountaintop adventure park’s rides and attractions. This senior leadership role oversees the Rides Maintenance Department, including Lift Maintenance, Coaster Maintenance, Ride Vehicles, Electrical Systems, HVACR, and General Facilities supporting rides operations. The Rides Maintenance Director ensures the long-term safety, reliability, and operational excellence of all attractions and ride-related infrastructure. If you are a visionary leader with deep technical knowledge, strong organizational skills, and a passion for delivering safe, world-class guest experiences—this role is for you.

Requirements

Minimum 10+ years of maintenance experience, with 5+ years in a leadership or director-level role overseeing multi-discipline ride or attractions teams.
Extensive knowledge of mechanical systems, electrical systems, lift and coaster operations, ride vehicles, and facility infrastructure.
Proven success managing large-scale maintenance programs in a theme park, amusement park, resort, or industrial environment.
Strong understanding of regulatory compliance requirements (ANSI, ASTM, NEC, OSHA, etc.) related to ride operations.
Experience developing budgets, managing capital projects, and leading organizational change.
Exceptional leadership, communication, and team-building skills.
Highly skilled in problem-solving, crisis response, and decision-making in fast-paced environments.
Proficient in maintenance management software, Microsoft Office, and digital reporting tools.
Valid Driver’s License required.

Responsibilities

Provide strategic leadership for all ride maintenance operations, ensuring safety, reliability, and operational excellence across attractions.
Develop and implement long-term maintenance plans, capital improvement strategies, and ride asset-management programs.
Oversee preventive maintenance, inspections, and repairs for rides, lifts, coasters, vehicles, electrical systems, and related facilities.
Ensure full compliance with regulatory standards including ANSI, ASTM, NEC, OSHA, manufacturer requirements, and state/local codes.
Establish, implement, and refine safety protocols, emergency procedures, and inspection processes specific to ride operations.
Lead, mentor, and develop the Rides Maintenance management team, fostering high performance, accountability, and a safety-first culture.
Manage departmental budgets, capital expenditures, vendor contracts, and resource allocation for ride systems.
Approve major ride repairs, system upgrades, and equipment purchases to maintain peak operation and guest safety.
Collaborate with Operations, Safety, HR, and Senior Leadership to support seamless ride operations.
Oversee training programs to ensure maintenance staff are certified, informed, and performing at peak skill levels.
Use data-driven approaches to monitor performance, identify trends, and implement continuous improvements.
Maintain oversight of maintenance management systems, work orders, compliance documentation, and reporting.
Lead incident investigations, root-cause analyses, and corrective action plans when necessary.
Serve as a key member of the park’s emergency response and operational leadership teams.
Perform additional duties as assigned by Executive Leadership.