SVP General Manager Sphere

Who are we hiring?

This position is responsible for the day-to-day management of the 20,000 seat Sphere.  This role will provide management and oversight of the physical plant, daily events and operational procedures and protocols for all activities within the venue.  The General Manager will be the accountable leader for all Venue Operations departments including Event Production, Building Operations, Food & Merchandise, Box Office & Ticket Operations, Guest Experience, and Parking & Transportation.

The departments reporting to this position provide service and expertise to the managers and respective employees, who are responsible for the business units P&L’s.  The SVP & General Manager works closely and collaboratively with the P&L leaders to develop, execute, and support strategic plans and programs in accordance with their business objectives.  The position ensures that departments reporting to this position maintain high standards of quality with a focus on exceptional guest service throughout all facets of the operation while prioritizing the continued cultivation of a positive and productive work environment/culture.   

The position will be responsible for operations comprised of approximately 2,200 full-time administrative, part-time, union employees and event employees, including the direction and coordination of related labor relations matters and various collective bargaining agreements.

The scope of this position encompasses 24 hour-a-day, 7 day-a-week activities.  On an annual basis, these activities include approximately 1,000 Experience Shows, 60 concerts and 40 mixed events. This position manages about $40 million in operating costs and GA expenses; and $50 million in events pass-through costs and an annual capital improvement budget ranging from $5 -15 million dollars.

Success in this position will be measured by the quality of service provided to internal and external clients, the quality of the guest experience, and excellent condition of the facilities, morale, and productivity of the workforce [including satisfactory relations with multiple labor unions], the communication and adoption of the Company’s Values, reaching or exceeding revenue and profit goals and budget performance.  The individual will constantly look to guide, develop and groom high-potential managers to assume additional or new responsibilities.

What will you do?

• Directly oversee the planning and direction of operations for Sphere, including activities related to Event Production, Building Operations, Food & Merchandise, Box Office & Ticket Operations, Guest Experience, and Parking & Transportation.
• Guide and lead department heads in the most professional and efficient delivery of service and support to their internal and external clients.
• Continually evaluate the quality of the guest experience by firsthand observation, objective feedback and interaction.  Use inspection reports, customer correspondence and survey data, and proactive actions, such as phone calls to clients and other department executives to determine the level of satisfaction with our performance from a variety of unprejudiced participants.
• Orchestrates the activities of several disparate departments in a highly charged, time-sensitive operation to foster a seamless and cooperative delivery of service with minimal internal conflict.
• Review and analyze financial and operating reports daily and initiates action to improve performance.  Use internal data sources, such as financial reports [flashes and month end], event P&L’s, activity plans and timetables, key performance measures, event schedules and budgets to monitor on-going performance against established standards and objectives.
• Set meetings as required to review, monitor, and manage activities and projects, and to prepare for upcoming projects/events and the problems/special requirements that may arise.
• Communicate with all senior executives of the business units as required and informs executive leadership of relevant issues and concerns.
• Direct the Sphere management team to effectively utilize the automated scheduling system, time and attendance, and payroll functionalities to ensure a smooth and efficient operation.
• Represents the organization to the external community in business and social settings, e.g., industry peers, labor leaders, government officials, executives, promoters, partners etc. to establish and maintain positive working relationships that support the Company’s goals.
• Supervision of:
  • Vice President, Building Operations
  • Vice President, Food and Merchandise
  • Vice President, Guest Services
  • Vice President, Event Production
  • Vice President, Ticket Operations
  • Director, Electrical & Engineering
  • Director, Parking & Transportation
  • Coordinator, Sphere Operations
• Indirect supervision of:
  • Vice President, Threat Management
  • 1,200 Event Operations staff
  • 150 Administrative staff

What do you need to succeed?

• Leadership – ability to lead across all functions.
• High Level of energy and commitment.
• Excellent communication skills, written and verbal.
• Conflict resolution.
• Service orientation, high quality standards.
• Internal and external negotiating skills.
• 15 plus years of progressive experience in Facilities & Project Management, Hospitality, Public works, or complex institutions, with direct responsibility for supervising/directing staffs across a wide range of operating functions in a fast-paced environment.
• Directing the efforts of several strong, independent senior executives to accomplish the shared goals of their businesses.
• Experience interacting with top management, rank and file employees, and the public with competence, credibility, and in an articulate manner.
• Cool under fire and viewed as approachable, involved and engaged in the business and concerns of all employees, customers, and clients.
• Experience with opening new venues/arenas, inclusive of overseeing the creation of policies and procedure documents, ingress and egress plans, emergency evacuation plans, building maintenance plans, cleaning plans and technical operations playbooks.

Special Requirements

• Occasional Travel to NYC and Burbank, CA.
• Must be able and willing to work evenings, weekends, holidays.

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