About the San Jose Earthquakes:
The San Jose Earthquakes have a mission to establish our home as the epicenter of American soccer by uniting Northern California with big dreams, big hustle, and big impact. The San Jose Earthquakes are seeking a seasoned and forward-thinking Sr.Manager/Director of Event Operations to lead all event logistics at PayPal Park.
About the Position:
The Sr. Manager / Director of Event Operations is responsible for the strategic planning, leadership, and execution of all events for the San Jose Earthquakes and PayPal Park. The position leads cross-functional planning efforts, manages internal teams and external vendors, maintains strong relationships with leagues and public agencies, and ensures events are delivered on time, on budget, and in alignment with organizational standards and objectives. This role requires strong leadership, operational judgment, and the ability to perform effectively in fast-paced, high-pressure environments.
Who You Are:
We are looking for people that want to hustle big.
- Hustle: Having the desire to authentically connect people, willing to always show up for our fans, and having an innate pride in their work.
- Big: Devoted to quality in all aspects of the job, not afraid to swing big, and own the result.
Successful Candidates:
A successful candidate is a confident, adaptable leader who can manage complex event operations, build strong cross-functional relationships, and make sound decisions in fast-paced, high-pressure environments. They consistently deliver safe, well-executed events by communicating clearly, holding partners accountable, and leading teams with professionalism, ownership, and attention to detail.
Job Competencies include:
- Communication
- Responsiveness
- Leadership
- Managing Performance
- Coaching
- Developing Others
- Building Collaborative Relationships
Responsibilities:
- Provide strategic leadership for all event operations at PayPal Park, including professional matches (e.g., Bay FC), international soccer, large-scale rentals, and community events.
- Directly oversee the Event Manager, whose primary focus is on coordinating outside events and third-party rentals.
- Mentor and develop event operations staff, fostering professional growth and a high-performance team culture.
- Manage and track departmental budgets with a focus on event operations and parking; monitor spending, optimize resources, and deliver on financial goals.
- Serve as the senior point of contact for third-party vendors, including parking, security, crowd management, housekeeping, and production support.
- Lead operational planning efforts with cross-functional teams and external stakeholders to ensure seamless execution of complex, high-profile events.
- Create and present strategies to improve departmental systems, event workflows, and the overall guest experience.
- Maintain strong relationships with external partners such as promoters, teams, production companies, city agencies, and safety officials.
- Ensure compliance with permitting, insurance, fire marshal, and regulatory requirements for all events.
- Maintain a leadership presence during major events to ensure smooth operations and respond to real-time challenges.
Qualifications:
- 5+ years of experience in event or venue operations, with 2+ years in a leadership role.
- Experience managing large-scale events in a stadium, arena, or public assembly venue.
- Experience managing concerts is a plus.
- Proven ability to lead teams, manage budgets, and drive continuous improvement
- Bachelor’s degree in event management, facility operations, business, or related field (Master’s degree a plus).
- Excellent communication, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
- Strong understanding of vendor contracts, event compliance, and crowd management principles.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office; experience with AutoCAD and event management software preferred.
- Must be available to work nights, weekends, and holidays as required by the event schedule.
- Ability to remain composed and effective in high-pressure environments.
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.
