VP OF OPERATIONS & FACILITIES

Chicago Bears • Lake Forest, IL

13h • $225,000 - $275,000 • Onsite

About The Position

The Vice President of Operations & Facilities is responsible for leading all aspects of facility management, grounds operations, and sustainability objectives for the team’s properties. This role partners with senior leadership to plan and deliver capital improvement and modernization projects that enhance efficiency, resiliency, and sustainability. This critical leader develops and executes the long-term building operations strategy aligned with the organization’s business objectives, ensures the venue operates reliably, safely, and delivers exceptional experience for fans, players, partners, and employees.

Operating scope includes company headquarters and training facility, acquired real estate locations and leased office space currently in downtown Chicago. Hours of operation are tied to facility operating needs and occasionally support evening and weekend events. This role has a team of direct reports across three departments and will work out of our headquarters located in Lake Forest, Illinois.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in related field, MBA preferred
• Minimum 15 years of professional operations experience
• Adaptable leadership with progressive experience in strategic planning, operations excellence, expense and capital management.
• Entrepreneurial spirit, with the ability to create and implement essential operations protocols; strong business sense with the ability to build, communicate and persuasively champion for existing and potential opportunities while establishing and maintaining influential partnerships at all levels
• Demonstrated ability to lead, develop and motivate teams to an ever-increasing level of performance, fostering an inclusive, positive and empowering culture and work environment
• Demonstrated experience with process design, metric utilization and problem solving with analytics preferred
• Strong financial acumen, including the ability to develop financial forecasts, budgets, weekly dashboards, and interpret financial results and ability to examine and evaluate data and report findings
• Technical expertise with strong understanding of building systems (HVAC, electrical, plumbing), building automation systems, Computerized Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS), general facility maintenance practices, and construction processes.
• Sustainability experience with program design, championing initiatives. Practical knowledge and ability to develop roadmap for environmental compliance, sustainability reporting, and performance tracking using recognized frameworks (e.g., LEED, ISO 14001, WELL Building Standards).
• Ability to plan, execute, and monitor multiple large scale, complex construction and renovation projects. PMP certification preferred.
• Robust written & verba communication skills with ability to tailor messaging across many stakeholder groups
• Able to work non-traditional hours, in non-traditional settings, with flexibility to work weekends and nights

Nice To Haves

• MBA preferred
• Demonstrated experience with process design, metric utilization and problem solving with analytics preferred
• Ability to plan, execute, and monitor multiple large scale, complex construction and renovation projects. PMP certification preferred.

Responsibilities

• Establish policies, operational standards, and performance metrics to ensure operational excellence across all facility functions
• Lead various construction & renovation projects including full project cycle: planning, design, and execution of improvement projects within facilities. Coordinate project inputs, schedule management and roles and responsibilities with stakeholders as required.
• Lead and advise on relevant procurement events, contract negotiations, install performance metrics and manage key vendor relationship (including but not limited to: Café Service, Catering, Cleaning, Logistics Services, Waste Management, Recycling, Utilities, Property Lease and Management Services, Electric, Plumbing, HVAC)
• Ensuring compliance with all relevant building codes, safety regulations, and environmental standards
• Collaborate with Football Operations to develop specifications, service level agreements and performance management for vendors providing critical building services
• Help expand and implement initiatives supporting the organization’s sustainability strategy, ensuring alignment with club ESG goals and community values
• Oversee environmental compliance, sustainability reporting, and performance tracking using recognized frameworks (e.g., LEED, ISO 14001, WELL Building Standards)
• Develop and implement sustainability initiatives focused on energy efficiency, waste reduction, water conservation, and renewable energy use
• Support the execution of strategic plan with a focus on cross-functional collaboration
• Respond to, solve, and make decisions that have broader impact with a solution-oriented mindset
• Oversee the annual operations budgets and capital plan, including managing costs associated with maintenance, repairs, utilities, leases, and contracts with service providers
• Develop a thorough and accurate P&L, budget, and ROI analysis for areas of oversight. Ensure there are detailed and thorough budget plans for all departments the VP oversees and regularly review to ensure fiscal responsibility.
• Conduct after action reviews with relevant stakeholders for key initiatives to continually improve outputs and meet KPIs for the department. Lead business planning and ROI measurement through post programming analysis.
• Ensure Club policies and procedures are followed for critical steps such as vendor selection, legal review, HR review (if applicable), and billing
• Manages shifts in responsibilities or Club decisions due to the nature of the ever-changing workplace and environment. Coach and manage direct reports through changes in a positive and uplifting manner.
• Represent department on various cross functional committees (HIPPA, Safety, Cross Department Building Planning, NFL committees, Solider Field Operations Planning Committees) and initiatives
• Ensure compliance with Soldier Field Permit Operating Agreement (POA, NFL policy and standard operating procedures)
• Accountable for all aspects of facility operations, including maintenance, engineering, custodial, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, food service, grounds and life safety systems while adhering to NFL standards
• Lead process optimization and identification of software tools to improve service performance, lower cost, and department effectiveness
• Partner with internal and external stakeholders to pursue certifications and awards that position the facility as an industry leader in sustainable operations
• Introduce technologies and operational practices that reduce carbon footprint and enhance long-term environmental performance
• Collaborate with food service, and operations partners to advance zero-waste and circular economy initiatives
• Develop ‘control tower’ capabilities to monitor building operations in real time, identify potential issues in advance and create source of continuous improvement ideas.
• Support Event operations related to facility updates, set up, service coordination to ensure successful event planning and execution
• Develop long-term facility and turf management strategies, including capital improvement plans, to optimize space utilization and maintain building functionality.
• Provide regular reports on facility and turf performance, including key metrics on maintenance costs, energy consumption, safety, playability and space utilization.
• Lead annual turf management meetings with Stadium Operator to review the previous season and plan the upcoming season
• May represent Club on various NFL committees addressing Safety, Injury Prevention and Turf Management best practices
• Accountable for staff scheduling to ensure 100% coverage, safety focus is not compromised and deployment of non-traditional hours of support is balanced
• Solves challenges, issues, and conflicts, with and for staff.  Actively work to remove roadblocks and barriers to improve outcomes for direct reports in their daily work.  Foster an environment where direct reports feel comfortable sharing ideas or suggesting improvements.
• Oversee the development of assigned direct reports by providing guidance, direction, coaching, performance feedback, and project management support. This includes ensuring direct reports understand and adhere to Club policies and procedures.
• Provide performance feedback and direction in regular 1:1 meetings with direct reports and via performance evaluations. This may include the involvement of HR for guidance on progressive discipline or performance improvement plans when necessary.
• Assists in the growth and development of assigned direct reports by setting performance goals and supporting learning and development.
• Establish communication methods within department/s ensuring alignment towards goals, standards, and individual expectations.
• Foster a positive and collaborative work environment that encourages a team-first mentality across the club.
• Sets the example and standard for their team and serves as a role model by demonstrating a leadership approach that promotes the core values of the Club.  Acts as a champion, inspires, and connects the efforts of the team with the Club’s mission, values, and strategic imperatives.
• Actively participate in Club provided leadership and development opportunities. This includes maintaining compliance/meeting deadlines with required trainings, conducting timely performance evaluations, submitting and/or approving timely invoices, expenses, and/or budgets, as well as adhering to other directives, procedures, and policies assigned to people leaders.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Core Coverage: 100% paid premium for healthcare and dental coverage, affordable vision offerings, 100% paid premium for disability and employee life insurance coverage, paid FMLA (including paid paternity leave)
• Investments: employer paid pension plan, 401K with matching
• Flexible Work Location: Up to 2 days a week of remote work (role dependent)
• Time to Recharge: Minimum of 10 paid vacation days, 5 paid sick/mental health days, 4 paid floating holidays, plus 10 paid holidays, paid time off to volunteer
• Experiences: complimentary home game tickets & parking, ability to buy tickets to away games and fan events
• Wellness: FREE breakfast, lunch, snacks and drinks, access to onsite fitness facilities and BearsFit, complimentary Calm app access
• Professional Development: complimentary LinkedIn Learning access, leadership programming, guest speakers, and more

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level