General Manager | Full-Time | Grand River Conference Center

Oak View Group•Dubuque, IA

9d•$100,000 - $115,000

About The Position

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. Position Summary The General Manager is responsible for the overall day-to-day management, promotion, and operation of the Grand River Convention Center and Five Flags Civic Center. This role oversees facility performance, identifies capital improvement projects and equipment needs, and ensures efficient and profitable operations across both venues. Key responsibilities include reviewing and approving booking agreements and CVB leads, supporting the sales team in contract negotiations, and coordinating marketing on consumer shows and public relations efforts. The General Manager reviews and approves monthly financial statements, conducts financial reviews with the Executive Team, and develops and manages the annual operating budgets. Additional duties include collaborating with Human Resources on staffing matters, working with the food and beverage team to develop revenue-generating initiatives, coordinating with the box office on consumer shows, and partnering with security to ensure proactive support for client and venue needs. The role also establishes operational expectations across departments and works closely with parking and related operational services to ensure seamless guest and client experience, performing these duties directly or through departmental leadership. This role pays an annual salary of $100,000-$115,000 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 June 12, 2026. About the Venue The Grand River Conference Center is a full-service meeting and event facility located in the Port of Dubuque, in Dubuque, Iowa. Newly renovated in 2020, featuring over 40,000+ square feet of meeting and exhibition space for events up to 2,000. The Five Flags Civic Center is located in downtown Dubuque. The arena has a capacity of 4,500 guests and has the ability to transform for an occasion from concerts and sports tournaments to banquets and general sessions. The Historic Theater that seats 711 guests and Bijou Room is a black box theater with a capacity of 135 guests.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree or better from an accredited college or university in Business/Hospitality Management or related field.
Minimum of 5-7 years management experience in an Arena, Convention Center, Hotel or other similar public assembly facility.
The ability to research, develop and maintain relationships with artist agents, artist management as well as local, regional and national promoters.
Proven leadership skills.
Demonstrated knowledge of event solicitation and presentation, public relations, advertising and media relations and event planning, facility operations, budget preparation and personnel management.
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.
Superior Sales and Marketing skills.
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.
Possess a thorough working knowledge of all existing concessions and premium services locations: geographical location, equipment, evacuation procedures, adjacent employee and guest areas, and facility access.
Possess valid Food Handlers certificate and Alcohol Service Permit if required by state or local government.
Possess thorough working knowledge of all applicable sanitation requirements, food preparation guidelines, alcohol service policies, safety standards, etc. pertaining to Oak View Group and venue concession and premium services operations.
Ability to calculate basic and complex math functions (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, percentages).
Ability to handle cash accurately and responsibly.
Ability to consistently adhere to the highest standards of integrity, professionalism, ethics and confidentiality.
Ability to work independently with little direction.

Responsibilities

Maintains active contact with the Client Administrator.
Monitors Oak View Group’s compliance with all provisions of the management contract as it pertains to the Conference Center.
Aggressively works in coordination with the CVB in promoting the use of the facility to maximize its utilization.
Reviews all lease agreements and adds to the negotiations as determined necessary and in the best interests of the facility.
Reviews all negotiated contracts and agreements with event organizers, hosts, managers, and agents and works collaboratively with the sales team to ensure the interests of the facility are taken into account.
Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with Client/Contract Administrator, government departments and agencies, Meetings/Conference/Convention industry, and community and civic organizations to encourage continual and regular use of the facility.
Coordinates facility involvement with the Convention 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 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 as part of an Executive Team all activities and personnel engaged in maintaining and operating the facility.
Directs development of the annual operating calendar, activity schedules, and projections for the attendance and/or revenue.
Conducts Center focused marketing, budgeting and weekly staff meetings or as needed
As part of the Executive Team directs the development and administers the execution of operating and marketing financial plans and documents; to include, operating revenue and expense budgets; capital expense plans budgets.
Provides for control of day-to-day operations; assuring the coordination of plan, programs and events; conducts post event operational financial review and analysis.
Provides approval of all Conference Center contracts and agreements with suppliers, promoters, and tenants for necessary activities and services at the facility when needed.
Provides or coordinates for timely and effective response to directives and requests received from internal and external organizations, agencies, departments and individuals; assures and maintains the integrity of the facility and Oak View Group in all forms of communication and personal contacts.
Assures the administration of personnel and the operation of plant and facilities are conducted in accordance with applicable local, state and federal regulations.
Evaluates facility practices and recommends improvements to better reflect the needs of the Client and the facility, and/or to improve the efficiency and safety of operation, in compliance with the Oak View Group policies and procedures.
Responsible for recruiting, training, supervising and evaluating administrative staff, Event Managers, Utility Services and having a role in oversight of all other areas that work within the Center.
Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with tenants, employees, union representatives and the general public.