Sports Venue Operations Manager

Placements24; Bloemfontein; On-site; ZAR 600,000 - 900,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

High-profile venue exposure

Professional development & training

Relocation assistance

Job summary

Placements24 seeks an experienced Sports Venue Operations Manager to oversee daily operations of a major stadium in Bloemfontein. You will manage maintenance, events, security, and crowd control to deliver world-class experiences for athletes, staff, and spectators, while coordinating with agencies to ensure safety.

You will lead budgets, vendor management, and staff, ensuring compliance with safety standards and efficient operation across all departments.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Facility Management, Sports Management, Business Administration, or related field.
• Minimum 5 years in sports venue operations or large-scale facility management.
• Experience budgeting, staffing, and complex logistics.
• Knowledge of safety regulations, security procedures, and crowd control.

Responsibilities

• Oversee all operational aspects: maintenance, cleaning, security, utilities.
• Coordinate event-day operations with internal departments and external agencies.
• Develop and implement safety and emergency response plans.
• Manage vendor contracts and SLAs for high-quality service.
• Prepare and monitor operational budgets, identify cost-saving opportunities.

Skills

Leadership

Operations management

Budgeting

Safety & crowd control

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Facility/Sports Management

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking a highly experienced and proactive Sports Venue Operations Manager to oversee the daily operations of a major sports stadium in Bloemfontein . You will be responsible for ensuring the facility is maintained to the highest standards, managing all aspects of event logistics, security, and crowd management, and optimizing the user experience for athletes, staff, and spectators. This critical leadership role demands a strong understanding of facility management, safety protocols, and stakeholder coordination to deliver world-class sporting and entertainment experiences. Your expertise will be vital in upholding the venue's reputation and operational efficiency.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee all operational aspects of the venue, including maintenance, cleaning, security, and utilities management.
• Manage event-day operations, coordinating with internal departments and external agencies (e.g., security, emergency services) for seamless execution.
• Develop and implement comprehensive safety and emergency response plans for the venue.
• Manage vendor contracts and service level agreements to ensure high-quality service delivery.
• Prepare operational budgets, monitor expenditures, and identify cost-saving opportunities.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Facility Management, Sports Management, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in sports venue operations or large-scale facility management.
• Demonstrated experience in managing budgets, staff, and complex operational logistics.
• In-depth knowledge of safety regulations, security procedures, and crowd control principles.
• Strong leadership, decision-making, and problem-solving skills.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package.
• Opportunity to manage a high-profile sports facility.
• Professional development and training opportunities in venue management.
• A dynamic work environment with exposure to major sporting events.
• Relocation assistance may be available for exceptional candidates.