Manager, Engineering & Maintenance

International Association of Venue Managers; Cleveland, Northern (OH, KY); Hybrid; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Rocket Arena is seeking an Engineering & Maintenance Manager to lead a mixed team of engineers and technicians responsible for HVAC, electrical, plumbing, life safety, the ice plant, and other critical arena systems.

You will own preventive maintenance, manage energy systems, and coordinate with Operations, Event Services, and Security to keep the facility ready for Cavaliers, Monsters, concerts, and guests at all times.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of facilities or building engineering experience, including 2+ years leading a team.
• Experience with BAS and CMMS.
• Ability to manage budgets, vendors, and capital projects from planning through completion.
• Experience in high‑traffic live‑event environments where downtime isn’t an option.
• Degree in mechanical, electrical, or facilities engineering or equivalent trade certification preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead, schedule, and develop a team of engineers and technicians across HVAC, electrical, plumbing, and related systems.
• Own the preventive maintenance program for all arena systems and critical equipment.
• Manage building automation and energy management systems for round‑the‑clock readiness.
• Direct emergency and event-day response as first point of contact during outages.
• Partner with ice operations on rink configurations and conversions.
• Oversee capital improvement and renovation projects from scoping to closeout.
• Ensure life safety, fire code, OSHA, and local regulations compliance.
• Own department budget, vendor relations, and service agreements.
• Maintain building system documentation and equipment records.
• Align schedules with event calendars, including nights, weekends, and holidays.

Skills

Team leadership

Preventive maintenance

Facilities engineering

Budget management

Vendor management

BAS & CMMS

Emergency response

Event operations coordination

Regulatory compliance

Education

Mechanical/Electrical/Facilities engineering degree or equivalent trade certification

Tools

Building Automation Systems (BAS)

CMMS

Energy management systems

Job description

Rocket Arena runs every night of the year, and the building has to be ready for every one of them. The Engineering & Maintenance Manager owns the systems that make that possible — HVAC, electrical, plumbing, life safety, the ice plant, and everything else that keeps the arena running for our Cavaliers, our Monsters, our Guests, and our team members.

This is a hands‑on leadership role. You'll lead a team of engineers and technicians, manage preventive maintenance and capital projects, and be the person the building calls when something needs fixing — fast. You'll work shoulder to shoulder with Operations, Event Services, and Security to make sure Rocket Arena is always ready for what's next.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES &?RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Lead, schedule, and develop a team of engineers, technicians, and skilled trades covering HVAC, electrical, plumbing, controls, and the ice plant.
• Own the preventive maintenance program for all arena building systems, structural components, and event‑critical equipment.
• Manage the building automation and energy management systems to keep the arena efficient, comfortable, and event‑ready around the clock.
• Direct emergency and event‑day response — you're the first call when a system goes down mid‑event, and you find the fix.
• Partner with the ice operations team on rink conversions between Cavaliers, Monsters, and concert configurations.
• Manage capital improvement and renovation projects, from scoping through contractor oversight and closeout.
• Maintain compliance with life safety, fire code, OSHA, and all local, state, and federal building regulations.
• Own the department's budget — track spend, manage vendor and contractor relationships, and negotiate service agreements.
• Maintain accurate building system documentation, warranties, and equipment records.
• Build the schedule around the event calendar, including nights, weekends, and holidays.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• 5+ years of facilities or building engineering experience, including 2+ years leading a team, ideally in a sports, entertainment, or high‑traffic public venue.
• Working knowledge of commercial HVAC, electrical, plumbing, and life safety systems, plus the licenses or certifications your trade background requires.
• Experience with building automation systems (BAS) and computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS).
• A track record of leading a team through high‑pressure, live‑event environments where downtime isn't an option.
• Comfort managing budgets, vendors, and capital projects from planning through completion.
• A valid driver's license and the ability to respond to the building on short notice.
• Experience with ice rink systems and conversions in a multi‑purpose arena is preferred.
• A degree in mechanical, electrical, or facilities engineering, or equivalent trade certification is preferred.
• Experience working alongside professional sports operations or major touring productions is preferred.