Operations Manager - The Rink

Tishman Speyer•New York, NY

32d•$75,000 - $90,000•Onsite

About The Position

Tishman Speyer is seeking a results-oriented Commercial Operations Manager to oversee the guest-facing retail and ticketing operations The Rink at Rockefeller Center – the most iconic ice rink in the world, and related seasonal attractions. This role blends the expertise of a retail floor manager with the operational agility of an assistant general manager, with a focus on sales, merchandising support, customer experience, and seasonal event coordination. The ideal candidate will bring experience from a branded and/or experiential retail environment, with a passion for driving results through exceptional store standards, operational precision, and team leadership. You’ll be an on-the-floor presence, leading by example, coaching teams, and ensuring that every interaction reflects the premium Rockefeller Center brand. As a member of The Rink management team, the Operations Manager will also directly engage in team training and execution of key duties including (but not limited to) hospitality service, retail and ticket sales, ticket scanning, guest photo experiences, skate sharpening, locker organization, and coordination of ice resurfacing. With a strong foundation in high-volume, quality-driven hospitality settings, the successful candidate will bring a commitment to premium service, operational excellence, and leadership that motivates teams to deliver above-and-beyond experiences. This is a full-time, year-round position and includes responsibilities in off-season planning, coordination of special events, activations, and buyouts, in collaboration with other Rockefeller Center Destination & Experiences teams. Ability to work seasonal peak periods and variable hours including weekends, holidays, early mornings, evenings, and occasional overnight shifts required.

Requirements

Minimum of 5 years of experience in retail, commercial operations, or branded guest services, preferably at the Assistant Manager or Manager level in a premium chain, big-box, or experiential retail environment.
Strong background in sales-driven operations, including team leadership, visual merchandising, and managing customer flow in a high-volume setting.
Proficiency in POS systems, inventory management, and operational floor management. Strong acumen with financial reporting, forecasting, and budgeting within a retail, attraction, or venue environment.
Strong leadership and team development skills, including experience hiring, training, scheduling, and managing seasonal or hourly front-of-house staff.
Excellent organizational and multitasking skills; able to manage real-time operational decisions in a fast-paced environment while maintaining a calm, professional demeanor.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with a customer-first mindset and the ability to lead by example on the floor.
Must be available to work a flexible schedule, including weekends, holidays, early mornings, and late nights.
Physical ability to stand, walk, lift (up to 15 lbs), and work outdoors in varied weather conditions throughout the shift.

Nice To Haves

Demonstrated experience with VIP or premium guest experiences, photo ops, or special package coordination preferred. Experience overseeing or supporting seasonal activations or high-traffic attractions is a plus.
Prior experience supporting or managing ice rink operations is a plus; familiarity with ice resurfacing equipment (e.g., Zamboni, edger, snow blower) is preferred but not required.
Proficiency in standard office applications (Excel, Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, Teams); experience with scheduling software or hospitality management platforms is a plus.

Responsibilities

Retail & Ticketing Operations: Oversee daily commercial operations including admissions, ticketing, guest check-in, on-site retail activities and souvenir photo experiences. Ensure high-functioning front-of-house processes that align with sales goals, guest satisfaction targets, and seasonal programming.
VIP & Premium Experience Management: Support and execute elevated guest offerings such as VIP packages, seasonal holiday experiences and premium souvenir photo operations, ensuring white-glove service and seamless coordination with support teams.
Team Leadership & Staff Development: Recruit, train, and manage seasonal team members including retail associates, photo operations staff, cashiers, floor leads, and supervisors. Foster a guest-first, results-driven culture through real-time coaching and hands-on leadership.
Sales & Performance Management: Monitor sales performance across all revenue-generating guest touchpoints. Use insights to recommend adjustments in staffing, pricing, layout, and customer flow to optimize revenue.
Visual Standards & Merchandising Support: Partner with the Merchandise and Marketing teams to uphold Rockefeller Center’s visual merchandising and experience standards. Ensure store and photo environments are brand-aligned and consistently maintained.
Event & Seasonal Activation Support: Take an active leadership role in the operation of high-traffic experiences such as The Tree Photo, VIP Skate experience and other branded activations. Collaborate on the execution of the Après Skate Chalets and other holiday experiences. Ensure commercial components operate smoothly and profitably.
Inventory Oversight & POS Management: Assist in tracking inventory flow, monitoring shrinkage, and ensuring accurate sales transactions. Maintain and troubleshoot point-of-sale systems, cash handling procedures, and reporting processes.
Customer Experience: Act as a visible floor leader, modeling service excellence and resolving escalated guest issues with empathy and efficiency.
Health & Safety Compliance: Ensure compliance with cleanliness, safety, and accessibility standards across guest-facing areas. Partner with facilities and security teams to maintain a safe, premium environment.