Chief Engineer

Atlanta Hawks; Atlanta (GA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Atlanta Hawks is seeking a Chief Engineer to lead all HVAC operations at State Farm Arena, ensuring reliable, safe building systems during games and events. You will oversee maintenance, monitor performance, and drive continuous improvements with Southern Hospitality.

Responsibilities include guiding the engineering team, coordinating with contractors and vendors, managing preventive maintenance plans, and enforcing safety and fire-safety standards across the facility.

Qualifications

• Minimum of ten (10) years of directly related HVAC experience with supervisory responsibilities.
• Proven ability to lead engineering personnel and maintain high productivity.
• Strong communication skills and ability to coordinate with vendors and contractors.

Responsibilities

• Oversee HVAC operations and maintenance: chillers, boilers, pumps, AHUs, and cooling towers for events and daily ops.
• Monitor and guide field work, providing hands-on support for major projects to maintain safety and quality.
• Inspect equipment regularly, identify deficiencies, and initiate corrective actions.
• Set priorities based on equipment status and event schedules; ensure timely preventive maintenance.
• Ensure all work complies with safety regs and company standards.
• Prepare purchase orders for materials and parts; obtain pricing from vendors.
• Maintain tools and equipment inventory with proper tagging and accountability.
• Coordinate with engineers, contractors, and reps to exchange technical information.
• Schedule work and delegate tasks to team members; clarify roles.
• Develop annual maintenance plans and extend planning 3 years ahead.
• Prepare capital expenditure and operating budget recommendations.
• Review org structure and staffing needs; suggest changes.
• Conduct performance reviews and compensation recommendations.
• Analyze reports to improve O&M efficiency and reduce costs.
• Support training programs and skill development.
• Interview applicants and assist in candidate selection.
• Recommend personnel actions per policy with management input.
• Support cross-departmental needs during events or emergencies.
• Maintain appropriate dress code as directed.
• Any other duties as assigned.

Skills

HVAC supervision

Facilities management

Safety compliance

Leadership

Contractor coordination

Tools

BAS

CMMS

Job description

Who are we:
A professional basketball team and state-of-the-art arena/entertainment venue that specializes in creating memorable experiences for each guest we interact with. Some of our favorite things are live sports, concerts, comedy shows, family shows, and most any other world-class event you can think of, and we’re looking for someone who shares the same interests. We live for the fast-paced world of sports & live entertainment, and as such, we work hard, run fast, execute flawlessly, and party it up when it all comes together. Lastly, we strive to deliver wonderful experiences that create lasting memories, and we prefer to surround ourselves with those who are the best at what they do.

Who are you:
An enthusiastic lover of sports, live entertainment, and people. You have true passion for engaging in meaningful interactions and creating memorable experiences for all guests. You strive to be helpful, engaging, and knowledgeable of all things Atlanta Hawks and State Farm Arena. You enjoy being a part of an exciting and dynamic group, and you’re committed to continuously enhancing the productivity and effectiveness of your team. Lastly, you enjoy working hard and celebrating hard, and you’d be shocked if guests weren’t positively impacted by their interactions with you.

The Chief Engineer leads all HVAC operations and maintenance activities at State Farm Arena, ensuring mechanical systems perform at peak efficiency across all Atlanta Hawks games and events. This role provides direct operational oversight of the engineering department, collaborating cross-functionally with internal teams, contractors, and vendors to deliver world-class facility performance with Southern Hospitality. Success is measured by the reliability of critical building systems, the development of a high-performing engineering team, and the seamless execution of events in a safe, well-maintained environment.

Key Responsibilities:

Primary Responsibilit****ies55%

• Oversee and manage all HVAC operations and maintenance activities, including chillers, boilers, pumps, valves, air handling units, and cooling towers, ensuring continuous and reliable system performance during events and non-event days.
• Monitor O&M work in progress to verify correct procedures are followed, providing hands‑on assistance during major or critical projects to maintain safety and quality standards.
• Conduct regular inspections of HVAC and mechanical equipment, identifying deficiencies and initiating corrective action to prevent operational disruptions.
• Set and manage work priorities based on equipment status, formal work order documentation, and event schedules, ensuring timely completion of preventive maintenance and repairs.
• Ensure all work is performed in accordance with ATL Hawks LLC safety regulations, good industry practices, and applicable fire safety requirements.

Secondary Responsibilities25%

• Prepare and process purchase orders for materials, tools, equipment, and spare parts; secure pricing and ordering information from vendors and manufacturer representatives.
• Maintain tools and equipment inventory, ensuring all items are properly tagged, secured, and accounted for prior to maintenance or repair activities.
• Consult with engineers, contractors, and manufacturer representatives to exchange technical information on the operation, maintenance, and repair of existing and new building systems.
• Coordinate work schedules and delegate responsibilities to team members, ensuring clarity of role expectations and accountability for outcomes.
• Develop and implement annual mechanical and maintenance program plans, with general project planning extending three (3) years forward.

Tertiary Responsibilities15%

• Prepare annual capital expenditure and operating budget recommendations for review and approval by the Director of Engineering.
• Evaluate department organizational structure and personnel requirements, making recommendations for staffing changes, promotions, and position description updates.
• Conduct performance reviews in accordance with personnel policies; recommend wage and salary adjustments within the company's approved matrix system, subject to management approval.
• Review operational reports, equipment conditions, and cost data to identify opportunities for improvement in HVAC O&M efficiency, cost reduction, and work method simplification.
• Participate in and support training programs that develop technical skills and reinforce departmental goals and company standards.

Additional Responsibilities5%

• Interview applicants and assist in candidate selection for HVAC department positions, subject to management approval.
• Recommend personnel actions, including terminations, in accordance with company personnel policies and subject to management approval.
• Support cross-departmental operational needs during high-demand events or emergency situations as directed.
• Maintain proper dress attire as instructed by the Director of Engineering.

*Any other job duties assigned

Requirements:

Minimum of ten (10) years of directly related and progressively responsible experience, of which seven (7) years must include HVAC supervisory experience in an operational environment.

• Demonstrated in-depth working knowledge of mechanical and electrical components, systems, and structures, including chillers, boilers, pumps, valves, air handling units, and cooling towers.
• Proven ability to supervise, schedule, and develop engineering personnel while maintaining high standards of work quality and productivity.
• Strong oral and written communication skills; ability to clearly convey technical instructions and information to staff, contractors, vendors, and facility stakeholders.
• Ability to recognize unsafe or substandard work practices and implement corrective procedures consistent with company standards.
• Availability for on-call response 24 hours per day, 7 days per week; ability to travel within and occasionally outside the facility, including overnight travel as required.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Universal EPA 608 Certification or equivalent HVAC/mechanical licensure.
• Experience managing engineering operations within a sports, entertainment, or large public assembly venue.
• Familiarity with building automation systems (BAS) and computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS).
• Working knowledge of fire safety systems and compliance requirements in a large-scale facility environment.
• Experience developing multi-year capital improvement plans and managing departmental budgets.

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.