Overview

We are seeking a hands-on Grounds Manager to oversee the maintenance, landscaping, and overall appearance of the campus surrounding UBS Arena. This role will be responsible for managing vendor relationships, ensuring compliance with facility standards, maintaining budgets, and ensuring that QA/QC inspections are performed on a regular basis. While the primary focus of this role is the building exterior, responsibilities also include supporting interior building systems and operations as needed. The ideal candidate will have experience in groundskeeping, irrigation systems, and vendor oversight, with strong project management and communication skills. 

This role pays an annual salary of $75,000-$85,000

Benefits for Full-Time roles: Health, Dental and Vision Insurance, 401(k) Savings Plan, 401(k) matching, and Paid Time Off (vacation days, sick days, and 11 holidays).

This position will remain open until July 31, 2026.

Responsibilities

• Own vendor relationships and day-to-day performance for landscaping, snow removal, irrigation support, and general grounds maintenance to ensure work meets facility standards.
• Review vendor contracts and service agreements to ensure scope, pricing, and performance expectations align with operational needs.
• Develop RFPs and bid packages, solicit and evaluate proposals, and recommend vendor selections based on quality, responsiveness, and cost.
• Negotiate rates, service terms, and renewal conditions to drive best value while maintaining service quality and reliability.
• Serve as primary liaison between facility leadership and contractors to communicate priorities, coordinate access/scheduling, and drive timely completion.
• Establish expectations for service levels and quality, conduct routine check-ins, and resolve performance issues and field conditions proactively.
• Partner with the Premium Department to identify opportunities to leverage key vendors into sponsorships/partnerships that enhance the guest experience and deliver mutual value.
• Ensure contractors comply with all applicable safety requirements and site procedures during work execution.
• Scheduling, Coordination & Project Oversight
• Coordinate schedules for routine maintenance and special projects to minimize disruption to facility operations and event activity.
• Plan sequencing and logistics for exterior projects, including access, timing, safety controls, and communication with internal stakeholders.
• Maintain clear documentation of scopes, schedules, progress updates, and closeout requirements to support accountability and reporting.
• Ensure continuous operational coverage for exterior services in a 24/7 facility environment, coordinating internal resources and vendor response, including after-hours support, on-call escalation, and real-time issue resolution.
• Budget Ownership & Cost Control
• Develop, manage, and report on grounds/exterior operations budgets, including vendor spend and planned maintenance projects.
• Track expenditures, review invoices against contracted scope, and recommend cost-effective solutions without compromising safety or quality.
• Forecast seasonal and event-driven needs (snow, storm response, high-traffic periods) and align resources and spend accordingly.
• Site Condition Management & Preventative Planning
• Lead routine exterior condition inspections and create/maintain action plans for repairs, improvements, and event readiness.
• Manage maintenance strategy and remediation planning for parking lots, sidewalks, asphalt/concrete surfaces, curbs, and potholes to maintain a safe, high-quality campus environment.
• Oversee irrigation system performance, maintenance planning, and repairs, including seasonal startup/shutdown coordination and monitoring.
• Provide QA/QC oversight of completed work (vendor or internal), validating scope, workmanship, and readiness standards.
• Event Readiness & Seasonal Operations Leadership
• Direct event readiness planning for all outdoor spaces, ensuring they are safe, functional, and visually aligned with facility standards prior to events.
• Lead seasonal operations planning, including snow response strategy, irrigation winterization, and storm preparation/remediation.
• Coordinate emergency response for exterior issues (storm damage, unexpected repairs, safety hazards), including vendor dispatch, site communication, and resolution tracking.

Qualifications

• Hands-on experience with irrigation system maintenance and repair.
• 3-5+ years of previous experience in maintenance and landscaping preferrable in an arena or similar venue.
• Strong organizational and project management skills.
• Experience in contract negotiation, oversight, and vendor management.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal abilities to effectively manage contractor relationships.
• Ability to identify landscaping and maintenance issues and propose solutions.
• Knowledge of commercial landscaping requirements and standards.
• Understanding of health and safety regulations related to grounds maintenance.
• This role requires a mix of office work and field supervision.
• Flexibility in hours is required to accommodate contractor schedules and respond to emergencies as needed.