Operations & Performance Manager

Headquarters

Phoenix, AZ

Job Summary:

Player 15 Group – the sports & entertainment company behind the Phoenix Suns (NBA), Phoenix Mercury (WNBA), Valley Suns (G League), and PHX Arena — is redefining the industry standard. Headquartered in downtown Phoenix and engaging fans across the world, Player 15 Group is driven by possibility, innovation, and the desire to create memorable moments for our fans and community. 

Our culture is anchored in purpose-driven leadership and fueled by individuals who bring passion, creativity, and vision to everything they do. We challenge convention, amplify voices, and create experiences that resonate well beyond the final buzzer. This is where talent meets purpose and bold ideas become reality.

Player 15 Group is seeking an Operations & Performance Manager to help in enhancing a company's productivity and efficiency by helping to organize, and execute key projects related to leadership development, organizational development, and continuous improvement. They will identify areas for improvement, help support strategic initiatives, and implement best practices to optimize operations. Collaborating with leadership and various departments, they facilitate change management and employee engagement programs to foster a culture of continuous improvement. Their expertise ensures that organizational goals align with overall business objectives, leading to sustainable growth and enhanced performance.

In this role, the best candidate will collaborate closely with the arena operations team, leadership level positions, and business partners, to help support our organizational growth and vision. The ideal candidate is analytical, organized and gets excited about ways to help solve problems collaboratively in ways that make the people they work with and the organization better. We’re looking for a forward-thinking leader who thrives in a fast-paced environment, excels in project and change management, and is passionate about shaping the future of sports and business. If you are ready to join a people first culture, and curate memorable moments, we want to hear from you!

What You Will Do:

The role of an Operations & Performance Manager involves a range of responsibilities aimed at enhancing the productivity and effectiveness of our organization and will report to the EVP, Chief Operations Officer. Key responsibilities include:

• Organization and System Management to support the goal setting, process development and execution of key processes.
• Facilitate change management to ensure successful implementation of changes within the organization in coordination with learning and system implementations.
• Conduct organizational assessments to identify areas for improvement in processes, systems, and procedures. This will include assessments, data analysis and creating recommendations from the data.
• Support and help develop leadership development and training programs to improve employee engagement and performance. This will include curriculum and outline development.
• Collaborate with internal and external partners to streamline operations and improve efficiency within business and arena operations.
• Utilize various methodologies and technologies such as AI, Lean, Six Sigma, and Kaizen to identify and implement solutions for improvement.

What We Need from Our Operations & Performance Manager:

• Coordinate workshops and training sessions.
• Develop and implement of career & talent management programs.
• Create and manage project plans for operational processes, change management, leadership, or organizational effectiveness initiatives.
• Lead initiatives to foster a culture of continuous improvement and operational efficiency.
• Experience leading change management initiatives
• Have a Growth Mindset: Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of implemented strategies and continuously learn.
• Provide coaching and guidance to managers and team leaders.
• Prepare summary reports, and presentations for stakeholders.
• Be a Great Teammate: Ability to communicate effectively across all areas of the organization.
• Partner with People and Culture and other departments for alignment of strategies
• Coordinate with external consultants and vendors for specialized projects.

Experience/ Education Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering, Organizational Development, Business Administration, Education
• Minimum of 5 years of experience working with business operations, arena operations, educational instruction, athletics or consulting
• Minimum of 3 years doing continuous improvement or org/learning development coordination
• Strong organizational and project management skills, with proven track record of managing multiple projects.
• Experience in Industrial Design and/or curriculum development
• Ability to influence without authority.
• Strong Problem solving and conflict resolution skills.

What You Can Expect:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by the Operations & Performance Manager to optimally perform the essential functions of this role. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Ability to transit throughout the arena for long periods of time.
• This position is mainly indoors, removed from extreme weather; exposure to weather is <5%
• S-Sedentary Work – Exerting up to ten pounds of force occasionally.
• Must be able to carry on a conversation both on the phone and in-person.
• Ability to Read, write & speak in English.
• Wide range of full-time benefit options include:
• Medical, Dental and Vision coverages
• Life and disability insurance options
• Vacation, sick and holiday leave programs.
• In-arena work requirements with the potential of hybrid schedules based on each role and department
• Perks:
• Discounts at Fanatics Team Shop
• Tickets available for Phoenix Suns, Mercury, and Valley Suns games
• Visit our Culture page to learn more about our culture and work environment

Player 15 Group is committed to employing a diverse workforce. Qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, veteran status, or disability.

Please note this job description is not crafted to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

For questions about this career opportunity, please contact the People & Culture Recruiting team at [email protected]

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.