Area Operations Manager Jobs in Austin, TX (NOW HIRING)

Circuit of The Americas (COTA) is a 365-entertainment destination for world-class events located in Austin, TX. The sports and entertainment portfolio at COTA is unmatched in the country with Formula 1 US Grand Prix, NASCAR and MotoGP attracting global fans during championship races on the famed Circuit and Live Nation producing over 30 headline concerts every year at the Germania Insurance Amphitheater. COTALAND is an amusement park with over 30 attractions and experiences, including first-of-their-kind roller coasters.

The Assistant Operations Manager is responsible for the day-to-day leadership of an assigned Park Operations area, including Ride Operations, Park Services, or Guest Relations (Admissions, Front Gate, Ticketing, and Guest Services). This position serves as the primary operational leader within their assigned area, ensuring safe, efficient, and guest-focused operations while maintaining the highest standards of cleanliness, service, and operational excellence.

The Assistant Operations Manager directly leads Supervisors, Team Leads, and frontline Crew Members while developing future leaders through coaching, mentoring, accountability, and hands-on operational leadership. This position maintains a visible presence throughout the park, supports daily operations, responds to operational challenges, and partners closely with the Operations Manager to achieve departmental goals.

Candidates should possess previous leadership experience in an amusement park, theme park, or water park environment and demonstrate a passion for delivering exceptional guest experiences through operational excellence.

Essential Functions

• Lead the daily operation of an assigned Ride Operations, Park Services, or Guest Relations area while ensuring safe, efficient, and guest-focused operations.
• Provide daily leadership, coaching, and development for Supervisors, Team Leads, and frontline Crew Members.
• Build leadership capability by mentoring Supervisors and Team Leads and preparing them for increased leadership responsibilities.
• Ensure compliance with ride operating procedures, ASTM standards, OSHA regulations, manufacturer requirements, and company safety policies.
• Maintain a visible presence throughout the assigned operational area by supporting frontline teams and responding to operational needs.
• Monitor ride capacity, dispatch efficiency, guest flow, queue management, cleanliness, and overall operational performance.
• Partner with Maintenance to minimize ride downtime and ensure attractions return to operation safely and efficiently.
• Respond to ride interruptions, guest concerns, weather events, medical incidents, evacuations, and other operational emergencies.
• Develop daily staffing plans, deployment strategies, and break rotations to support operational demands.
• Assist with interviewing, hiring, onboarding, scheduling, coaching, performance management, and recognition of Team Members.
• Conduct performance evaluations and administer corrective action in partnership with the Operations Manager and Human Resources.
• Ensure completion of department training, certifications, and operational audits while maintaining compliance with established procedures.
• Assist in developing and implementing department SOPs, training materials, and operational improvements.
• Partner with Safety, Maintenance, Security, Food & Beverage, Retail, Entertainment, and other departments to ensure seamless park operations.
• Resolve escalated guest concerns professionally while empowering Supervisors to effectively manage day-to-day guest interactions.
• Promote a culture centered on Safety, Hospitality, Efficiency, Accountability, and Teamwork.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong understanding of amusement park, theme park, or water park operations.
• Working knowledge of Ride Operations, Guest Relations, Admissions, Ticketing, Park Services, and guest flow management.
• Knowledge of ASTM ride safety standards, OSHA regulations, and operational safety practices.
• Demonstrated ability to coach, mentor, and develop frontline leaders into successful Supervisors and future Managers.
• Strong decision-making skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced operational environment.
• Excellent communication, leadership, coaching, and conflict-resolution skills.
• Ability to make sound operational decisions under pressure while maintaining a positive guest experience.
• Experience with scheduling, labor management, operational reporting, and workforce planning.
• Comfortable working outdoors in varying weather conditions, including Texas summer heat.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, including Excel and Word.

Required Qualifications

• Must be at least 18 years of age.
• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Minimum three (3) years of progressive leadership experience in an amusement park, theme park, or water park environment.
• Minimum one (1) year of experience supervising or managing Ride Operations, Park Services, Guest Relations, Admissions, Ticketing, or similar operational departments.
• Demonstrated experience leading large seasonal teams in a high-volume guest environment.
• Strong understanding of operational safety, guest service, labor management, and frontline leadership.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule including evenings, weekends, holidays, and peak operating periods.
• Ability to stand, walk, and work outdoors for extended periods (up to 10 hours).
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds.

Preferred Qualifications

• Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Hospitality Management, Business Administration, Recreation Management, or a related field.
• Previous leadership experience overseeing Ride Operations, Park Services, Admissions, Ticketing, or Guest Services within an amusement park or water park.
• Experience opening a new park, attraction, or major expansion.
• Experience developing operational procedures and training programs.
• Experience with workforce management software and scheduling systems.
• CPR/AED and First Aid certification (or ability to obtain).
• Bilingual (English/Spanish).

Work Schedule and Conditions

This position is based on-site at COTALAND Theme Park at Circuit of The Americas in Austin, Texas, and requires flexibility for evenings, weekends, holidays, rehearsals, park openings, special events, and seasonal peak operating periods.

Salary is commensurate with experience.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY:

COTA strongly supports equal employment opportunity for all applicants regardless of race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, pregnancy, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, marital status, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, sexual orientation, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by state or federal law.