General Manager, Fire Pitch

Chicago Fire FC; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 100,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus eligible based on club-wide goals

Opportunities for career growth in professional sports

Diversity and inclusion initiatives in hiring

Job summary

A professional sports club in Chicago is seeking a General Manager to lead operations at their community soccer facility. Responsibilities include developing strategic initiatives, managing staff, and ensuring an excellent guest experience. Candidates should have 5-7 years of experience in facility operations, strong leadership skills, and proficiency in budgeting. The role offers a competitive salary and is classified as full-time.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5-7 years of progressive experience in facility operations.
• Demonstrated success in driving revenue growth through facility rentals.
• Strong working knowledge of building systems including HVAC and turf management.

Responsibilities

• Develop long-term operational strategies for the facility.
• Lead and manage facility staff including hiring and training.
• Oversee budgeting and ensure compliance with safety regulations.
• Generate revenue through facility rentals and community events.

Skills

Leadership

Budget Management

Communication

Problem-Solving

Facility Operations

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Facility Management, Sports Administration, or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office

Facility Management Systems

Job description

Join to apply for the General Manager, Fire Pitch role at Chicago Fire FC

The Chicago Fire Football Club (Chicago Fire FC) is an American professional soccer club that competes in Major League Soccer (MLS), the top U.S. domestic league. Founded on October 8, 1997, on the 126th anniversary of the Great Chicago Fire, the Club began play in 1998 as one of the League’s first expansion franchises.

The Club recently announced plans to build a $750M+ privately financed downtown stadium in Chicago in 2028. The stadium will anchor Chicago’s newest neighborhood, the 78, a 62-acre development and entertainment district located along the Chicago River just south of Roosevelt Road.

At Chicago Fire FC, we’re on a mission to entertain, serve, and unite Chicago by delivering excellence on and off the pitch to ensure a world-class experience. As a club we let our values guide everything we do: we uphold uncompromising integrity, show respect for all at all times, never settle for less, constantly innovate, and hold ourselves relentlessly accountable.

Position Overview:

Chicago Fire Football Club is seeking a strategic and hands-on General Manager, Fire Pitch, the Club’s premier indoor/outdoor community soccer facility and home to the 2nd Star Tavern restaurant on the north side of Chicago.

The General Manager will lead the long-term strategy and day-to-day execution of all operations and maintenance efforts at the Fire Pitch and 2nd Star Tavern, ensuring an elite-level guest experience and high standards of cleanliness, safety, and operational excellence.

Job Responsibilities:

• Develop and execute long-term operational strategies, including seasonal planning, capital projects, and maintenance schedules.
• Lead all facility staff: hiring, training, scheduling, and performance management.
• Manage vendor relationships, contracts, and service agreements (janitorial, HVAC, turf, maintenance, etc.).
• Oversee budgeting, cost control, purchasing, and resource planning.
• Direct seasonal dome conversion projects in partnership with contractors and facility teams.
• Ensure compliance with safety standards, building codes, and regulations.
• Support programming and event operations in collaboration with internal and external partners.
• Act as liaison between Fire Pitch and other relevant CFFC departments ensuring interdepartmental collaboration and efficiency
• Serve as primary contact for emergency and incident response.
• Maintain inventories, facility calendars, SOPs, and vendor records.
• Champion a culture of excellence, inclusion, customer service, and collaboration.

Revenue Generation

• Develop and execute strategies to maximize rental revenue and position Fire Pitch as a premier soccer and community destination.
• Partner with programming teams to optimize field usage and scheduling for revenue growth and guest satisfaction.
• Identify and pursue new participation and revenue opportunities through the Fire Pitch marketplace and community offerings.
• Collaborate with restaurant management to increase traffic, events, and sales at 2nd Star Tavern, appealing to both soccer and non-soccer audiences.
• Significantly increase the number of larger scale events, such as corporate outings, that generate field rental revenue as well as F&B revenue.
• Act as Fire Pitch ambassador, representing the Club’s brand, vision, and values in the community.

Required Qualifications:

• Minimum 5-7 years of progressive experience in facility operations.
• Demonstrated success in driving revenue growth through facility rentals, programming optimization, or hospitality/event partnerships.
• Strong working knowledge of building systems (HVAC, electrical, plumbing), turf management, and vendor coordination.
• Budget management and capital planning skills, with the ability to balance cost control and revenue generation.
• Strong leadership, communication, and problem-solving abilities.
• Proven success working in a fast paced environment.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and facility management systems.
• Must display a strong work ethic and desire to build a career in professional sports.
• Ability to work non-traditional hours, including nights, weekends and holidays.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Previous work experience in sports, recreation, hospitality or events.
• Bachelor’s degree in Facility Management, Sports Administration, Business, or related field.
• Prior experience working with artificial turf and indoor dome structures.
• Background in sales, event management, or community programming with measurable revenue results.

Compensation:

• This role offers a salary range of $100,000-$110,000.
• This role is classified as Full-time, exempt
• This role is bonus eligible based on club-wide goals

EEO Statement:

Chicago Fire FC is committed to fostering, cultivating, and preserving a culture of diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion. Our diversity initiatives start with the recruitment and selection process; therefore, we’d like to welcome all diverse candidates to apply to opportunities within our Club.

CFFC is committed to providing equal employment opportunity and maintaining a workplace for employees and applicants for employment that is free from discrimination. The Company does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, citizenship, age, veteran or military status, disability, sexual orientation, sexual orientation or expression, marital status or any other characteristic protected by law.