Operations Director
The future of Coventry Building Society Arena is vibrant and exciting.
Come and join us as we enter a new era and see what you can achieve
About Us
Coventry Building Society Arena has forged an enviable reputation as the leading international venue for a variety of events, attracting more than 1.3 million visitors a year.
We are renowned for hosting a myriad of exhibitions, sporting events, including the Commonwealth Games and a wide range of entertainment
Home of Coventry City Football Club, Coventry Building Society Arena is synonymous with music, having hosted many of the biggest bands on the planet, including the Killers, Rammstein, Rolling Stones, Bruce Springsteen, and Coldplay and in 2023 will welcome Harry Styles and the Artic Monkeys.
About the role
We are looking for a dynamic, pragmatic, customer focused Operations Director to join the Senior Team at one of Europe’s leading multi-use venues, the Coventry Building Society Arena. With overall accountability for making sure that every one of the venue’s 1.6m annual visitors go home happy.
The successful candidate will create, own and deliver a plan that creates a safe, efficient and attractive venue which goes beyond compliance regulations regardless of purpose – sport, business or entertainment. This includes managing and delivering the annual maintenance and CAPEX budgets as well as a diverse team across facilities management, event services, health and safety, security, IT, venue operations and guest services.
The successful candidate will have previous experience of managing a complex, multi-use venue in sport, leisure, retail or entertainment with demonstrable evidence of being able to devise, execute and monitor plans. Strong financial acumen is also required with knowledge of budget management; project evaluation; capex planning and ongoing cost analysis to identify savings.
Key objectives of the role are:
- Lead the operations team in day to day venue operations.
- Create and deliver a 3-5 year operational strategy which encompasses KPI’s and objectives for all key operational workstreams
- Lead strategic relationship with Coventry City Football Club, Safety at Sports Ground Authority, Coventry City Council, West Midlands Police, Fire and Ambulance Services and associated governing bodies
- Oversee the wider Building Management System to ensure efficient management of core building systems.
- Ensure the venue exceeds all Health & Safety regulatory requirements and is seen by all visitors as a safe and welcoming environment.
- Lead the strategy for sports tenders for the Arena and Stadium
- Manage the overall venue security and guest services plan covering all aspects of operation, working with local agencies as required.
- Create and deliver an effective parking strategy that maximises commercial revenues whilst delivering a strong customer experience across on and off-site requirements.
- Manage the Facilities Team to deliver the venue maintenance and understanding capex planning and ensure that the team have an up-to-date PPM schedule and all compliance is delivered
- Ensure the Event Services team deliver to all compliance requirements and maximise ancillary revenues where appropriate to do so.
- Oversee relationships with the Head of Operations with Promoters in connection with stadium and arena concerts, working alongside the Commercial Director to maximise margins and profits.
- Manage the existing portfolio of commercial tenants.
- Create and test all business continuity and crisis management plans in conjunction with the Head Event Safety and Security and relevant authorities.
- Manage key supplier contracts including but not limited to car parking, IT and AV.
- Work with the Commercial teams to help maximise opportunities to support the deliver of commercial strategies including sponsorship requirements
The successful candidate will have strong team management skills and have the ability to influence team members and peers alongside the ability to handle complex building issues and adopt pragmatic approaches to resolutions depending on budgetary and resource constraints or considerations.
They will hold a relevant degree or recognised qualification within Operational or Building Management. Have previous experience in working with Safety Advisory Groups and have achieved a Health & Safety qualification to a NEBOSH level.
Desirable qualifications:
Level 4 in Spectators Safety
What is in it for you?
- A Competitive Salary
- 33 days Annual Leave including the eight recognised English Bank Holidays
- Auto enrolment pension scheme – matched benefit
- Private Healthcare – Family
- Death in Service Benefit – Three times
To apply please send your CV and covering letter to Claire Collins, HR Manager at arenarecruitment@cbsarena.co.uk
Closing Date: 9th February 2023
We reserve the right to end the application process early at our sole discretion.
