General Manager - Kalamazoo Indoor Sports Facility

The Sports Facilities Companies•Kalamazoo, MI

About The Position

The General Manager is responsible for the financial and operating performance of the Kalamazoo Indoor Sports Facility. The role leads facility operations with a focus on operational excellence, outstanding customer service, and making it simple for event organizers to host successful events. The General Manager oversees daily operations, maintenance, customer service, safety, event execution, food and beverage operations, and overall event operations. The position develops and executes the annual business plan, manages operations within the approved budget, tracks financial and performance metrics, and recommends corrective action when needed. It builds positive relationships with event organizers, sponsors, tenants, local user groups, the facility owner, and regional tourism partners. The General Manager also leads staffing, training, employee development and retention, operating policies, and major business initiatives. The facility is a planned 140,000-square-foot venue in Kalamazoo, Michigan, with eight basketball courts convertible to 16 volleyball courts and an indoor turf field. The role reports to the VP of Venue Management. Some travel is required, and the General Manager must be available to work nights and weekends. The position requires sitting for extended periods while operating a computer; the office and facility have intermittent noise; and the employee must be able to lift 40 pounds waist high.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in business management, sports management, marketing, hospitality, food and beverage, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
Must reside within a reasonable commuting distance or be willing to relocate before the start date.
Minimum of 7 years of management experience.
Prior responsibility for daily P&L management and budget oversight of $1 million or greater.
Proven experience organizing, booking, and operating sports tournaments and events, including basketball, volleyball, cheerleading, and wrestling events or similar activities.
Experience working with convention and visitor bureaus, regional sports commissions, and/or regional event management booking in a regional sports or convention center.
Operational knowledge of risk management, kitchen operations, entertainment, sports clubs, parties, corporate events, teambuilding, and leadership development.
Sports programming and sports event operations expertise.
Available to work nights and weekends.
Some travel is required.
Able to sit for extended periods while operating a computer.
Able to lift 40 pounds waist high.

Responsibilities

Analyze operations and team performance to meet objectives and identify potential cost reductions, program improvements, or policy changes.
Ensure safe day-to-day facility operations, including guest, athlete, and staff safety, risk management protocols, and emergency preparedness and action plans.
Develop and execute the Annual Business Plan, monitor performance against targets, and participate in quarterly business reviews.
Supervise facility employees, coordinate staffing and training, and maintain a positive, professional workplace culture aligned with KCECAD expectations.
Manage operations within the approved budget, monitor revenues and expenses, support financial reporting, and identify budget adjustments requiring Owner approval.
Lead or coordinate efforts to attract regional and national tournaments, manage event bookings, and prioritize events that generate overnight hotel stays.
Oversee local sports programming and facility use while ensuring tournament tourism remains the primary scheduling priority.
Coordinate facility marketing and sponsorship fulfillment.
Deliver high-quality experiences for tournament organizers, athletes, spectators, and community users, including monitoring satisfaction and Net Promoter Scores.
Serve as SFC's primary operational contact; coordinate with Discover Kalamazoo and KCECAD on tourism and event recruitment; and maintain transparent reporting.
Appoint department heads or managers and assign or delegate responsibilities.
Confer with ownership, Sports Facilities Management advisors and support team, and team members to discuss issues, coordinate activities, and resolve problems.
Coordinate development and implementation of budgetary control systems, recordkeeping systems, and other administrative control processes.
Direct and coordinate financial and budget activities to fund operations, maximize investments, and increase efficiency.
Direct human resources activities, including approval of human resource plans and activities, staff selection, and establishment and organization of major departments.
Direct, plan, and implement facility policies, objectives, and activities to ensure continuing operations, maximize returns on investments, and increase productivity.
Implement corrective action plans to solve organizational or departmental problems.
Prepare and present reports concerning activities, expenses, budgets, government statutes and rulings, and other items affecting business or program services.
Represent the organization and promote its objectives at official functions, or delegate representatives to do so.
Administer programs for site selection, potential construction needs, and provision of equipment and supplies.
Direct and coordinate activities of departments concerned with pricing, sales, and distribution of products.
Negotiate or approve contracts and agreements with suppliers and other organizational entities.
Prepare budgets for approval, including budgets for funding and implementation of programs.
Review reports submitted by team members and recommend approval or suggest changes.
Schedule and monitor continuing training seminars for team members on operational, safety, and legal responsibilities.
Perform additional duties assigned by the VP of Venue Management.