OPERATIONS MANAGER (Savannah) (47676)

Gwcca; Savannah (GA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

Paid vacation

State holidays

401(k)

Free onsite parking

Employee discounts

Job summary

Savannah Convention Center is seeking an Operations Manager to lead a hands-on team responsible for event operations, staffing, and service quality. You’ll develop leaders, implement safety programs, and ensure smooth daily operations across a large facility on Hutchinson Island.

A strong focus on accountability and teamwork will drive exceptional event experiences. Ideal candidates have 3–5 years of supervisory facility management experience, strong communication skills, and the ability to work

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required; bachelor's degree preferred.
• 3–5 years of supervisory or facility management leadership experience.
• Experience in large-facility operations and event setup.
• Strong leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, Teams, and Outlook.
• Valid driver's license required.
• Convention center or large-event venue experience preferred.
• Ability to work evenings, weekends, and holidays.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop Operations Coordinators and housekeeping staff.
• Plan event setups, room conversions, and housekeeping across the facility.
• Coordinate staffing, equipment, and resources for multiple events.
• Ensure safety, cleanliness, and compliance in all operations.
• Collaborate with Event Services, Engineering, and Public Safety for seamless events.
• Monitor budgets and control labor and supply costs.

Skills

Leadership

Coaching

Team development

Operations management

Safety programs

Training

Budgeting

Education

High school diploma or GED

Bachelor's degree in Facility Management, Hospitality, Business Administration, or related field

Tools

Microsoft Word

Excel

Teams

Outlook

Job description

Job Details: Job Location: Savannah - Savannah, GA 31421, OPERATIONS MANAGER

Savannah Convention Center

Great Events Don't Just Happen. Great Teams Make Them Happen.

At the Savannah Convention Center, exceptional experiences begin with exceptional people. We're looking for an Operations Manager who knows that great leadership isn't about being everywhere at once, it's about building a team that takes ownership, follows through, and delivers results.

If you're an organized, hands-on leader who knows how to develop people, build trust, hold teams accountable, and keep operations running smoothly, we'd like to meet you.

WHY YOU'LL WANT TO WORK HERE

Located along the Savannah River on Hutchinson Island, the Savannah Convention Center is a premier waterfront destination for conventions, tradeshows, meetings, and special events. Our expanded 660,000-square-foot facility features 200,000 square feet of exhibit space, impressive ballrooms, modern meeting spaces, and convenient access to Savannah's historic district.

But what truly sets us apart is our people.

We're proud of our collaborative culture, strong teamwork, and consistently high customer satisfaction ratings. As part of the Georgia World Congress Center Authority (GWCCA), we believe in creating exceptional experiences while living our core values:

We are Accountable. We are Authentic. We are One.

WHAT YOU'LL OWN

Lead & Develop Your Team

• Supervise, coach, and develop Operations Coordinators and Operations and Housekeeping employees.
• Assistance in the development and implementation of a comprehensive training and safety program for all employees in Operations. Serve as Coordinator for said training.
• Establish clear expectations, delegate effectively, and build accountability through consistent communication and follow-through.
• Empower Operations Coordinators to confidently lead daily assignments, monitor work quality, and ensure timely task completion.
• Build trust, encourage teamwork, recognize accomplishments, and address performance concerns fairly and professionally.
• Recruit, train, schedule, and evaluate employees while promoting a positive, respectful, and productive work environment.

Keep Operations Running Smoothly

• Plan and oversee event setups, room conversions, breakdowns, and housekeeping operations throughout the facility.
• Coordinate staffing, schedules, equipment, and resources to support multiple events and changing priorities.
• Anticipate operational challenges, solve problems proactively, and maintain high standards of safety, cleanliness, and efficiency.
• Manage departmental supplies, inventory, payroll/labor allocations, and operational expenditures.
• Support training, safety initiatives, and continuous improvement of departmental processes.
• By direction, assist in the implementation of preventive and corrective maintenance, special projects, contract negotiations and administration.
• Submit recommendations for operating, capital maintenance, and capital equipment budgets. By direction, track budget for expenditures in compliance with operational goals.
• Recommend goals/objectives for Operations Coordinators, Operations and Housekeeping team.
• Maintain current SDS on all products, trial products and OSHA personal protection equipment.
• Responsible for the interior/exterior housekeeping needs for the facility campus.
• All other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Collaborate & Deliver Exceptional Service

• Partner closely with Event Services, Engineering, Public Safety, and other departments to ensure seamless event execution.
• Build positive relationships with clients, vendors, and employees while responding professionally to operational needs.
• Participate in event planning meetings and maintain the high service standards our clients expect.

WHAT YOU BRING

• You're a Leader Who Develops Leaders. You know how to delegate, coach, and empower others to take ownership rather than relying on constant supervision.
• You Lead with Trust & Integrity. You're fair, approachable, consistent, and comfortable having difficult conversations when accountability is needed.
• You're Exceptionally Organized. You manage multiple priorities, plan ahead, communicate clearly, and ensure commitments are met.
• You're a Team Player. You build strong relationships across departments and understand that exceptional service requires collaboration.
• You Deliver Results. You take initiative, solve problems, adapt to changing demands, and hold yourself and your team to high standards.

Qualifications: Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required; bachelor's degree in Facility Management, Hospitality, Business Administration, or a related field preferred.
• 3–5 years of supervisory or facility management leadership experience. Demonstrated ability to handle multiple positions with minimum instruction and experience in crisis management.
• Working knowledge of event setup/conversions, housekeeping, and large-facility operations.
• Knowledge of the operation of various cleaning equipment and techniques and the operation of moving equipment.
• Strong leadership, organizational, time management, communication, problem-solving and oral/written communication skills.
• Ability to interact with internal and external customers in a professional manner to ensure customer satisfaction.
• High degree of integrity and compliance.
• Ability to research and interpret relevant information from a range of sources.
• Demonstrated ability to supervise teams, delegate responsibilities, coach employees, and maintain accountability.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, Teams, and Outlook.
• Valid driver's license required.
• Convention center, hospitality, or large event venue experience preferred.
• Flexibility to work evenings, weekends, holidays, and irregular hours based on event schedules.
• Ability to meet the position's physical demands, including extensive walking, event equipment setup, and lifting up to 50 pounds.
• Exposure to adverse weather conditions and various cleaning chemicals.

THE PERKS OF JOINING OUR TEAM

GWCCA offers a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, and life insurance; paid vacation and state holidays; a 401(k); free onsite parking and additional employee discounts.

Join the Savannah Convention Center team and help make every event a success.

The Georgia World Congress Center Authority is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and as such does not discriminate in hiring, promotions, or on terms or conditions of employment because of race, creed, color, sex, age, national origin, ancestry, marital status, eligibility for military service, disability, or for any other illegal purpose.