ABOUT OUR CLUB
Philadelphia Union was awarded Major League Soccer’s 16th franchise in February 2008 and officially launched in May 2009. Owned and operated by Union Sports and Entertainment, the club began its inaugural season in 2010 and opened Subaru Park in June of that year. Located along the Delaware River at the base of the Commodore Barry Bridge, Subaru Park is a world-class, soccer-specific stadium with a capacity of 18,500—just 15 miles from downtown Philadelphia.
Since its founding, the Union has built a strong competitive legacy. The club reached the finals of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup in 2014, 2015, and 2018, and has consistently qualified for the MLS Cup Playoffs, including appearances in 2011, 2016, 2018 to 2023, and 2025. In 2020, the Union captured its first Supporters’ Shield, awarded to the team with the best regular season record, and repeated the achievement in 2025. The club made its debut in the CONCACAF Champions League in 2021 and returned in 2023. In 2022, the Union were crowned Eastern Conference Champions and competed in one of the most thrilling MLS Cup Finals in league history.
Located just outside Subaru Park, is Union Yards, a vibrant fan-centric destination featuring a 7,000-square-foot brew hall and a 32,500-square-foot tailgate zone. The space offers communal seating, live entertainment, tailgate games, and a full-service bar with local brews and food options. It is designed to extend the matchday experience and foster community among fans before and after games.
In 2025, the Union unveiled the WSFS Bank Sportsplex, a 170,000-square-foot sports and recreation complex with three grass and four turf fields, adjacent to Subaru Park. This state-of-the-art facility unites the first team, second team, and academy programs on one campus which is the first of its kind in Major League Soccer. It serves as a hub for elite training, youth development, and community engagement, hosting year-round tournaments, clinics, and wellness programming.
Philadelphia Union’s culture is defined by its brand positioning: Young, Fearless, Challengers. This identity reflects the club’s commitment to defying the ordinary and relentlessly pursuing excellence both on and off the field. The Union’s crest and colors pay homage to Philadelphia’s revolutionary spirit, with the snake, shield, slogan, and thirteen stars symbolizing the city’s historic role as America’s original capital.
ABOUT THE ROLE
The Director, Operations plays a critical leadership role in ensuring the seamless, safe, and cost-effective operation of Subaru Park and its surrounding campus, including the WSFS Bank Sportsplex and Union Yards. Utilizing independent judgment and strategic oversight, this position supports the General Manager in managing all day-to-day venue operations, including engineering, maintenance, event setup/changeovers, custodial services, and groundskeeping, while driving operational excellence and delivering a world-class experience for fans, partners, and teams.
This role is responsible for developing and implementing operational policies, managing vendor relationships, and ensuring compliance with health, safety, and city regulations. The Director, Operations also contributes to long-term planning and budgeting, helping to shape the future of the venue and its role within the Philadelphia Union’s growing infrastructure.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Venue Operations & Maintenance
- Lead daily operations of Subaru Park, including HVAC, lighting, sound, fire protection, life safety, scoreboard systems, and communications.
- Supervise venue housekeeping and operations managers to ensure cleanliness, safety, and readiness.
- Oversee maintenance and custodial operations for the WSFS Bank Sportsplex and Union Yards.
Event Execution
- Manage setup and teardown for all events including matches, concerts, meetings, and special activations.
- Coordinate with internal departments and external vendors to ensure timely and efficient event execution.
Vendor & Contract Management
- Assist in negotiating and administering labor contracts (Stagehands, Trades, Housekeeping).
- Oversee contracts with external service providers (HVAC, pest control, electrical, landscaping, snow removal, etc.).
Campus & Community Liaison
- Collaborate with the Grounds Department on beautification and campus improvement projects.
- Serve as primary liaison with Chester City Services for permits, codes, parking, and licensing.
Security & Compliance
- Act as venue liaison with MLS security teams and ensure compliance with league and local safety standards.
- Lead health and safety initiatives and ensure regulatory compliance across all operational areas.
Financial Oversight
- Assist in developing and managing facility budgets.
- Oversee accounts payable and receivable related to stadium operations.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor’s/Technical degree from an accredited college/university/school required.
- Minimum of five (5) years of progressive experience in facility management and operations, preferably in sports, entertainment, or large-scale venues.
- Demonstrated expertise in venue operations, including mechanical, electrical, and groundskeeping systems.
- Strong knowledge of OSHA standards and workplace safety regulations.
- Proven experience in budget development, financial oversight, and cost control.
- Ability to work flexible hours, including event nights, weekends, and holidays as required.
- Excellent organizational, leadership, and communication skills.
- Experience managing vendor contracts and labor agreements is a plus.
Work environment
The duties of this position are performed indoors and outdoors in the weather conditions prevalent at the time. The noise level in the work environments is usually moderate to loud during events and minimal during non-event times.
This position requires valid criminal background clearances in the state of PA:
- PA Child Abuse History Clearance
- PA State Police Criminal Record Check
- Department of Human Services Background Check (via fingerprinting)
- Annual Safe Sport Certification
OUR PERKS
- Comprehensive benefits package including three medical options, vision and dental coverage, including flexible spending & health savings accounts.
- Pre-tax and Roth 401k (up to 4% is matched, after elimination period).
- Company-paid life insurance and disability.
- Access to licensed therapists via the virtual mental health platform, Tava Health, available to all employees and their dependents.
- Wellness reimbursements through Independence Blue Cross.
- Paid holidays and PTO days annually.
- 50% merchandise discount.
- Other league and partner discounts.
- Complimentary or discounted tickets.
- 24/7 state-of-the-art Fitness Center and locker rooms with employee Sportsplex access.
- On-site Café with grab-and-go options, salad bar, and grill!
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. Not sure you meet every requirement? Championship teams are built on diverse strengths. If you’re passionate about sports and excited about this role, we want to hear from you!
