Operations Director - Starkville Parks & Recreation

The Sports Facilities Advisory & Management; Starkville (MS); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Starkville Parks & Recreation is seeking an Operations Director to manage facility operations, events and staff, ensuring smooth daily functioning and event success. The role requires overseeing budgets, KPIs, cash handling and cross-department coordination.

You will lead hiring, training and scheduling, while coordinating with Marketing and Sales to drive revenue and community impact. A strong commitment to safety and service is essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in recreation, sports management or related field.
• 3–5 years of relevant experience preferred.
• Food service management experience preferred.
• Excellent interpersonal, problem solving and negotiating skills.
• Team player with strong communication skills.
• Flexible schedule including nights, weekends, holidays.

Responsibilities

• Hire, train and schedule facility team members.
• Manage department budget and provide KPI insights.
• Oversee front-line supervisors for policy compliance.
• Supervise admin ops for rentals, events and operations.
• Primary contact for events, rentals and registrations.
• Develop events in-house and via partnerships.
• Support sponsorship sales as needed.
• Occasional Manager-on-Duty duties nights/weekends.
• Negotiate and manage vendor contracts.
• Coordinate with Marketing and Sales teams.
• Ensure cash handling procedures are followed.
• Train staff on daily ops, events and safety.
• Ensure staff readiness for operations and events.
• Contribute to facility business plan and execution.
• Maintain certifications and renewals on time.
• Handle additional tasks as assigned.

Skills

Bachelor's degree

P&L management

CPR/First Aid

Interpersonal skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in recreation, sports management or related field

Job description

OPERATIONS DIRECTOR- Starkville Parks & Recreation

Sports Facilities Management, LLC

LOCATION: Starkville, MS

DEPARTMENT: OPERATIONS

REPORTS TO: GENERAL MANAGER

STATUS: FULL TIME (EXEMPT)

ABOUT THE COMPANY:

Starkville Parks & Recreation and Cornerstone Sports Complex is a premier sport, recreation and entertainment destination focused on improving the health and economic vitality of Starkville, MS. You will be joining a championship level team focused on fun, fulfillment and service built to enrich the community as well as your career and personal growth.

Starkville Parks & Recreation and Cornerstone Sports Complex is a member of The Sports Facilities Companies (SFC) and is the nation's leading resource for managing and developing sports, recreation, wellness, and events facilities. We provide a highly collaborative and supportive culture that raises our team members to new levels of career growth. Together, we will carve a path in a hyper-growing industry where you will enjoy the journey and learn from the industry's best while having some fun.

SFC was awarded national recognition as a Top Workplace and is considered a workplace of choice. Our mission-focused company is highly entrepreneurial, team-oriented with a culture centered on collaboration, accountability, excellence, and service. We are growing rapidly and looking for high performers at every level to grow with us.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Operations Director will be responsible for the management of the operations of the facility including but not limited to maintenance, housekeeping, retail, adventure/climbing area, food & beverage, event management, front desk administration and reporting, The Operations Director will also work closely with other departments in hiring, training, and staff scheduling.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES WILL INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO THE FOLLOWING:

• Hiring, train and schedule all facility team members.
• Manager Department level budget
• Provide Budget assessments and KPI
• Oversees front-line facility supervisors to ensure compliance with SFM Policies and additional applicable laws.
• Oversees the administration with a high level of detail required in facility operation, customer rentals and event operations.
• Primary contact for all facility events, rentals and program registration.
• Event development in-house and co-partnerships
• Assisting with sponsorship sales, as needed
• Serving as Manager-on-Duty ("MOD") on nights and weekends
• Negotiates and produces contracts for relevant vendors, building a good working relationship.
• Closes liaison and communication with other departments within the events team including Marketing and Sales.
• Oversees proper cash handling procedures.
• Hires, trains, and educates staff on proper daily operations, events, and safety procedures.
• Ensures staff are adequately prepared for facility operations, program restrictions and event execution.
• Contributes to facility business plan and execution.
• Oversees and makes sure all certifications are updated and renewed on time.
• All additional tasks assigned by management.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• A bachelor's degree in recreation, sports management or related field and 3-5 years appropriate experience preferred.
• Food service and food service management experience preferred.
• Must have excellent interpersonal, problem solving and negotiating skills.
• Must be a team player.
• Must have excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Must have excellent computer skills, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.
• Must be able to work a flexible work schedule (e.g., nights, weekends, holidays and long hours)
• Must possess current CPR/FIRST AID certifications or must be willing to obtain them within a specified period.
• Prior responsibility in daily P&L management and budget oversight
• Well organized, efficient, flexible, and able to meet deadlines.
• Able to cope with many tasks at once and work tight schedules.

WORKING CONDITIONS AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Must be able to lift 50 pounds waist high.
• May be required to sit or stand for extended periods of time whether indoors or outdoors, and squat, stoop, or bend.
• Will be required to operate a computer.
• The facility has intermittent noise.