The Director of Events & Facilities oversees all aspects of the venue's operations, maintenance, and safety to ensure a seamless and safe experience for tenants, guests and staff. This position involves planning, budget management, and compliance with all relevant regulations. This position is responsible for the overall operational, logistical, and administrative management of the Garden Entertainment property portfolio, including all buildings, grounds, and infrastructure. This role ensures facilities are maintained to the highest standards, manages daily operations, manages transitions between hockey and soccer games, concerts, trade shows and other events, all while prioritizing safety and efficiency.
This role requires a dynamic individual capable of managing multiple concurrent events and demands in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment.
The pay range for this role is an annual salary of $80,000 - $85,000 per year
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, personal days
This position will remain open until February 28, 2026.
Responsibilities
- Facilities Operations & Maintenance: Direct and manage all maintenance activities for building systems, including mechanical, electrical, plumbing (MEP), HVAC, ice plant, and fire/life safety systems.
- Rink Operations & Ice Maintenance: Oversee all aspects of ice installation, maintenance, and removal of a 4-sheet facility, ensuring optimal playing conditions and compliance with American Hockey League (AHL) standards. Supervise ice resurfacing operations, including scheduling and training Zamboni operators. Maintain detailed records of ice conditions, maintenance schedules, and related equipment service.
- Event Operations: Work closely with other departments to plan, coordinate and execute events operations (e.g., trade shows, concerts, AHL games, Major Arena Soccer League (MASL) games)
- Event Conversion Management: Plan, direct, and oversee all event conversions, including hockey-to-soccer, hockey-to-concert, and other venue transformations. Develop detailed conversion schedules and staffing plans to ensure timely and efficient turnarounds.
- Budget & Administrative Management: Assist in developing, monitoring, and managing department operating budget. Manage labor, negotiate contracts with vendors, track expenditures, and process payroll.
- Compliance & Risk Management: Ensure full compliance with all local, state, and federal laws and regulations, including building codes, fire safety (NFPA), health codes, OSHA, and ADA standards. Develop and maintain emergency preparedness and disaster recovery plans.
- Project Management & Planning: Oversee renovations and projects as needed.
- Staff Leadership & Management: Hire, train, schedule, supervise, and evaluate a high-performing team of facilities, ice maintenance and custodial staff. Foster a culture of teamwork, efficiency, and safety.
- Equipment & Facility Oversight: Manage the operation, upkeep, and repair of conversion and rink equipment, including forklifts, staging, dasher boards, and ice-resurfacing machines. Maintain accurate inventory of tools, equipment, and materials.
- Vendor & Contractor Relations: Source, negotiate, and manage contracts and relationships with third-party service providers (e.g., janitorial supplies, waste disposal, specialized maintenance).
- Other duties and responsibilities as assigned.
Qualifications
- Education: A bachelor’s degree in facilities management or business management, or a related field is preferred.
- Experience: Minimum of 5-7 years of experience in a management or director role within a large facility, property management, or entertainment venue setting.
- Technical Knowledge: Strong understanding of building infrastructure, automation systems, ice maintenance, technical equipment, and preventive maintenance programs.
- Core Competencies: Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills. Strong problem-solving, project management, and organizational abilities are essential.
- Availability: Must be available to respond to emergencies outside of normal working hours, including evenings and weekends, as required by the nature of entertainment operations.
- Ability to work event nights, weekends and holidays as required by event schedules.
Physical Requirements
- Ability to sit, stand and utilize a computer for extended periods of time
- Communicate via phone and email with a variety of individuals
- Ability to bend at the waist, reach overhead and lift up to 30 pounds with or without accommodation
- Physically navigate stairs, ladders and catwalks at facilities during normal work hours and events with or without accommodation
- May be required to travel to other company locations
- May be required to attend conferences, events, and training sessions
Summary
Garden Entertainment has grown into a multi-faceted organization that includes the Adirondack Bank Center at the Utica Memorial Auditorium and the Utica University Nexus Center. Together, these venues are the home of the AHL Utica Comets (affiliate of the NJ Devils), the MASL Utica City FC, NCAA Division III Utica University Men’s and Women’s Hockey, United States Premier Hockey League NDCD and Premier Utica Jr Comets, the Tier I Mohawk Valley Youth Hockey Association’s Utica Jr Comets, the Notre Dame Hockey Academy, and several local high school hockey organizations.
We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, gender identity, marital or veteran status, or any other protected class.
