Production and Operations Manager, Lakefront Arena

LSU New Orleans; New Orleans (LA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

LSU New Orleans seeks a Production & Operations Manager to lead daily Lakefront Arena operations, production services, and event logistics. You will supervise staff, contractors, and vendors, ensuring readiness and safety for all events in line with university policies.

You will also oversee maintenance, venue resources, and post‑event activities, coordinating set‑ups, changes, and tear‑downs to sustain event readiness.

Qualifications

• Minimum of bachelor’s degree in a related field or equivalent experience.
• Demonstrated supervisory experience in facility operations.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills required.
• Flexibility to work evenings, weekends, and holidays as events demand.

Responsibilities

• Plan, coordinate, and supervise daily facility operations for Lakefront Arena.
• Oversee production services, event logistics, and safety compliance.
• Manage maintenance, staff scheduling, and vendor relationships.
• Coordinate arena conversions, rehearsals, and tear-downs for events.
• Maintain digital venue layouts and ensure life safety and ADA compliance.

Skills

Communication skills

Flexible schedule

Valid driver’s license

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Facilities Management or related field

4+ years supervisory/managerial facility operations experience

Tools

CMMS

BAS

AutoCAD

Job description

Department Kiefer Lakefront Arena Job Summary

Production & Operations Manager is responsible for the planning, coordination, supervision, and daily management of facility operations, production services, event logistics, and operational support for the Lakefront Arena. This position oversees facility readiness, production operations, event conversions, personnel, contractors, and third-party vendors while ensuring the Arena operates safely, efficiently, and in accordance with University policies and industry best practices.

Production Operations & Maintenance

Manage the operation, maintenance, and readiness of the Lakefront Arena, parking facilities, and surrounding grounds and maintains the facility for event readiness. Supervise a multi-trade maintenance operation supporting all facility systems and infrastructure. Submit, monitor, and coordinate facility maintenance and repair work orders to maintain the facility for event readiness. Operate, monitor, and maintain University-owned vehicles, equipment, tools, and maintenance supplies to maintain the facility for event readiness. Ensure facility cleanliness, appearance, and operational readiness before, during, and after all events.

Event Operations & Production

Oversee all production and operational logistics for concerts, athletic events, commencements, conventions, trade shows, and other special events. Review event specifications, production riders, schedules, venue diagrams, seating configurations, and logistical requirements to determine staffing, equipment, and operational needs. Coordinate event set‑ups, conversions, changeovers, rehearsals, and tear‑downs. Create and maintain digital venue layouts and production diagrams. Ensure all event setups comply with applicable life safety regulations, fire codes, ADA requirements, and venue operational standards. Respond to on‑site operational issues, last‑minute production changes, and staffing adjustments.

Equipment & Venue Resources

Supervise the movement, storage, inventory, maintenance, and deployment of facility equipment including staging, portable flooring, risers, tables, chairs, drapery, barricades, crowd control equipment, temporary utilities, and other event infrastructure. Coordinate temporary electrical, telecommunications, internet, and production support services for events. Ensure venue equipment is properly maintained, inventoried, and available to support event operations.

Production Systems & Technical Support

Serve as the Arena's technical resource for production systems, including audio, video, lighting, communications, security, CCTV, computerized building systems, and related technologies. Coordinate installation, troubleshooting, maintenance, and repair of technical systems. Serve as liaison between the Arena, University Information Technology, and third‑party technology vendors to maintain the facility for event readiness. Coordinate computer installations, printer setup, wiring, network connectivity, and related technical support.

Personnel Management

Recruit, train, schedule, supervise, evaluate, and develop full‑time, part‑time, and temporary production personnel. Assign daily work responsibilities and event staffing. Develop employee training programs and continuous improvement initiatives to maintain the facility for event readiness. Promote safe work practices and ensure compliance with University policies and OSHA standards.

Vendor & Contractor Management

Coordinate and supervise third‑party contractors providing production labor, electricians, audiovisual services, custodial support, maintenance services, and other contracted work to maintain the facility for event readiness. Develop and maintain productive working relationships with vendors and contractors. Monitor contractor performance to ensure compliance with contract specifications and Arena standards.

Event Advancement & Client Support

Assist with advancing events through client meetings, production planning, site visits, venue walkthroughs, staffing coordination, and logistical planning. Coordinate with promoters, clients, University departments, contractors, and service providers to ensure successful event execution. Assist with post‑event operational reports, invoicing, and event settlements as assigned.

Safety & Emergency Preparedness

Coordinate facility safety initiatives including inspections, training, policy implementation, and regulatory compliance. Serve as an Arena liaison during emergency situations involving security, medical response, severe weather, evacuations, or facility incidents. Coordinate emergency preparedness planning, evacuation procedures, and employee training. Assist with emergency response operations, including utility outages and disaster recovery efforts.

Custodial Operations (In Absence of Production & Services Manager/Heavy Event Load)

When serving in the absence of the Production & Services Manager or during heavy event loads, this position shall: Assist in overseeing custodial operations and contracted janitorial services. Assist in coordinating event cleaning schedules with third‑party custodial providers. Assist in supervising custodial personnel and contracted labor pools. Ensure offices, arena bowl, seating areas, locker rooms, meeting rooms, auxiliary gymnasium, restrooms, exterior areas, parking lots, and surrounding grounds are maintained in accordance with Arena standards to maintain the facility for event readiness. Monitor contractor performance and ensure compliance with contractual specifications. Ensure the facility maintains a clean, safe, and professional appearance before, during, and after all events. Assume all responsibilities delegated to the Production & Services Manager.

Administrative Responsibilities

Maintain digital records, cloud‑based facility documentation, structural drawings, equipment information, operating manuals, and related facility resources. Complete special projects and assignments supporting Arena operations.

Additional Responsibilities

Perform additional duties as assigned by the Assistant General Manager, and the General Manager & Associate Vice President of Auxiliary Enterprises. Perform duties of the Production & Services Manager during absences and heavy event loads.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor's degree in Facilities Management, Construction Management, Engineering Technology, Business Administration, Event Management, or a related field; or In lieu of a bachelor's degree, four (4) years of progressively responsible supervisory or managerial experience in facility operations, production services, entertainment venues, convention centers, sports facilities, or comparable operations. Demonstrated supervisory experience leading maintenance, production, or event operations personnel. Strong written and verbal communication skills. Ability to work a flexible schedule including evenings, weekends, holidays, and extended hours based on event requirements. Valid driver's license.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Experience managing operations within an arena, convention center, stadium, performing arts center, or similar public assembly facility. Working knowledge of computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS), Building Automation Systems (BAS), and facility management software. Experience with AutoCAD or comparable computerized drafting software. Knowledge of theatrical production systems including audio, lighting, rigging, staging, and fly systems. Experience coordinating facility conversions and large‑scale event logistics. Knowledge of OSHA regulations, life safety codes, ADA requirements, and public assembly facility operations. Experience supervising custodial operations and contracted service providers. Strong organizational, planning, budgeting, and project management skills. Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and standard business software applications. Demonstrated leadership, customer service, interpersonal, and problem‑solving abilities.

Posting Close Date

This position will remain open until filled.

This position may require a criminal background check to be conducted on the candidate(s) selected for hire.

LSU New Orleans seeks to recruit a highly productive workforce and will provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and prospective employees.

Employment decisions shall be based strictly on merit and without regard to religious or political beliefs, sex, race, or any other non‑merit factor.