General Manager - Sports Complex Operations

Paragon Star•Lee's Summit, MO

About The Position

The General Manager - Sports Complex Operations is responsible for daily leadership, operational excellence, financial performance, facilities management, food and beverage operations, and guest experience. The role leads a multidisciplinary team and collaborates with customers, community partners, stakeholders, vendors, and governing bodies to strengthen the facility’s reputation as a premier sports, recreation, entertainment, and event destination. The ideal candidate is a servant leader who combines business discipline, operational expertise, facilities knowledge, and customer-focused leadership to deliver safe, efficient, and exceptional experiences while supporting financial performance and long-term organizational growth. The General Manager provides overall direction for Sports Complex operations and Village facilities, develops strategic goals and annual business plans, oversees financial and business operations, and leads facility maintenance, grounds operations, events, risk management, safety, staff development, and community and client relationships. The role requires on-site work in indoor and outdoor environments, with periodic evening and weekend supervision.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Sports Management, Facilities Management, or a related field.
Minimum 10 years of proven and successful leadership experience within sports, recreation, or facility operations.
Experience overseeing maintenance, event operations, and facility services.
Experience assessing business risk management and physical safety compliance protocols.
Experience with client relations, contract management, and vendor oversight.
Strong team leadership, coaching, and staff development skills.
Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office products.
Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
Ability to stand, walk, bend, lift up to 50 lbs., and move through large facilities for extended periods.

Responsibilities

Provide overall leadership and direction for Sports Complex operations and Village facilities.
Develop and implement strategic goals, operational objectives, and annual business plans.
Build a culture of accountability, collaboration, safety, excellence, and customer service.
Maintain positive relationships with customers, tenants, community stakeholders, governing bodies, sponsors, and partners.
Lead department directors, managers, and operational teams toward organizational goals and performance objectives.
Analyze operational performance and identify opportunities for improvement, efficiency, and growth.
Represent the organization at industry events, community functions, meetings, and stakeholder engagements.
Drive continuous improvement and employee engagement and development.
Oversee facility financial performance, revenue streams, new business opportunities, expenses, and profitability.
Ensure proper purchasing, procurement, contract administration, and budget reviews.
Negotiate and manage vendor agreements, service contracts, and operational partnerships.
Direct facility maintenance, grounds operations, and property management.
Ensure the safety, appearance, readiness, and functionality of buildings, fields, playing surfaces, equipment, parking areas, landscaping, sculptures, and public spaces.
Oversee preventive maintenance programs for athletic fields, field marking, natural-grass areas, parking lots, exterior lighting, structures, plumbing and electrical systems, furnishings, irrigation systems, and operational equipment.
Conduct routine inspections of fields, goals, nets, benches, field equipment, and machinery, and develop action plans to address deficiencies.
Coordinate facility improvements, renovations, capital projects, and expansion initiatives.
Oversee planning, coordination, and execution of sporting events, tournaments, community programs, and other events hosted in and around the complex.
Ensure facilities are event-ready through effective scheduling, setup, conversion, and operational planning.
Serve as an escalation point for facility issues involving event organizers, customers, tenants, and service providers.
Deliver a high-quality guest experience for athletes, teams, spectators, sponsors, and vendors.
Develop and enforce safety procedures, emergency response protocols, and risk management practices.
Ensure compliance with OSHA regulations and local, state, and federal safety requirements.
Conduct periodic safety training and oversee incident response and reporting procedures.
Recruit, hire, train, develop, and retain high-performing team members.
Lead and supervise full-time staff, part-time personnel, and service providers.
Conduct performance evaluations, coaching, succession planning, and professional development activities.
Foster a workplace culture focused on teamwork, accountability, continuous education, and service excellence.
Build productive relationships with tenants, governing bodies, sports organizations, schools, community groups, vendors, and contractors.
Serve as an escalation point for facility users and external stakeholders.
Coordinate with sports organizations, event promoters, tourism organizations, and community partners to maximize facility utilization.
Ensure service agreements and contractual obligations are fulfilled.