Assistant Operations Manager Jobs in Niles, IL (NOW HIRING)

Oak View Group (OVG) is the global leader in premium live entertainment infrastructure and services, with a platform spanning venue development and end-to-end capabilities across venue management, hospitality, and sponsorship sales. Founded in 2015, the company serves a collection of seven world-class owned venues and a client roster of the most iconic arenas, stadiums, convention centers, music festivals, performing arts centers, and cultural institutions, spanning four continents. 

The Assistant Operations Manager reports to the Operations Manager and is responsible for supervising assigned Operations employees and executing day-to-day venue and event operations at Ryan Field, including athletic events, concerts, commencement ceremonies, and other special events. Working within established operational plans, staffing parameters, budgets, policies, and procedures, the Assistant Operations Supervisor exercises independent judgment in directing employees, assigning and prioritizing work, adjusting staffing and resource deployment, resolving routine operational issues, and ensuring operational, service, and safety standards are met. The position also trains and evaluates employees, monitors labor utilization, addresses performance issues, and provides recommendations regarding hiring, discipline, promotion, and termination. The Assistant Operations Manager works closely with the Operations Manager, Event Managers, Facilities, Housekeeping, Security, Guest Experience, Ticket Operations, Northwestern Athletics, vendors, contractors, and external event partners to ensure assigned operational responsibilities are executed safely and efficiently.

This role pays an annual salary of $60,000 - $70,000

Benefits for Full-Time roles: Health, Dental and Vision Insurance, 401(k) Savings Plan, 401(k) matching, and Paid Time Off (vacation days, sick days, and 11 holidays)

This position will remain open until December 11, 2026.

• Assist with managing the execution of assigned venue and event operations for football games, concerts, commencement ceremonies, collegiate athletics, and other special events.
• Execute approved event operational plans, timelines, staffing plans, and venue readiness requirements.
• Assist with overseeing assigned event setups, conversions, breakdowns, and post-event resets performed by Operations employees, temporary labor, vendors, and contractors.
• Assign work and deploy personnel, equipment, furniture, barricades, staging, signage, and other operational resources based on event requirements.
• Exercise independent judgment in making routine staffing, work assignment, and resource deployment decisions within approved operational plans.
• Supervise & coordinate loading dock activity, deliveries, vendor access, equipment movement, and back-of-house logistics.
• Conduct pre-event and post-event inspections; identify operational, safety, and cleanliness deficiencies; assign corrective work; and verify completion.
• Supervise and monitor assigned vendors, contractors, and temporary labor during operational activities.
• Attend event and production meetings and communicate operational requirements to assigned employees and appropriate departments.
• Resolve routine operational issues within established policies, procedures, event plans, and assigned authority.
• Participate in post-event debriefs and recommend opportunities to improve operational efficiency, safety, and event execution.
• Assist with managing assigned Operations employees, including the Event Operations Crew and other operational support staff.
• Plan, assign, prioritize, and supervise the daily work of assigned employees based on event schedules and operational requirements.
• Develop and adjust employee schedules within staffing levels and labor parameters established by the Operations Manager.
• Determine employee assignments and make real-time staffing adjustments within approved staffing levels based on operational needs.
• Monitor employee attendance, punctuality, productivity, performance, conduct, and compliance with venue policies and procedures.
• Train and develop employees regarding venue policies, safety procedures, equipment operation, event procedures, and service standards.
• Evaluate employee performance and provide coaching, counseling, recognition, and corrective feedback.
• Address routine employee performance and conduct issues and escalate significant personnel matters to the Operations Manager and People & Culture as appropriate.
• Participate in candidate interviews and provide recommendations regarding hiring and employee selection.
• Provide recommendations to the Operations Manager regarding employee discipline, promotion, advancement, performance improvement, and termination.
• Hold employees accountable for completing assigned work safely, accurately, efficiently, and within established timelines.
• Monitor labor utilization and adjust staffing and employee deployment within approved labor parameters.
• Promote a positive, inclusive, accountable, and team-oriented work environment.
• Maintain operational schedules, event calendars, setup diagrams, checklists, staffing schedules, inspection records, and other departmental documentation.
• Review event information and determine how assigned employees and resources should be deployed to accomplish established operational requirements.
• Monitor event equipment, supplies, furniture, and operational materials and communicate purchasing, replacement, or maintenance needs to the Operations Manager.
• Maintain accurate records related to staffing, labor utilization, equipment, event operations, inspections, and vendor activity.
• Implement and enforce established standard operating procedures, departmental processes, safety requirements, and event operations standards.
• Communicate event requirements, assignments, and operational updates to employees, internal departments, vendors, and external partners.
• Monitor assigned labor and operational expenses within established budget parameters and identify opportunities to improve efficiency.
• Recommend operational and procedural improvements to the Operations Manager based on event results and operational observations.
• Ensure assigned activities comply with Oak View Group, Northwestern University, venue, and applicable safety policies and procedures.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• Associate degree in Sports Management, Hospitality, Business Administration, Event Management, Facilities Management, or a related field preferred. Bachelor's degree highly preferred, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 3-5 years of progressively responsible experience in event operations, venue operations, hospitality, facilities, or a related field.
• Previous experience managing, scheduling, training, and directing employees in a fast-paced operational environment. Experience managing or supervising part-time, seasonal, temporary, event-based staff, vendors, and contractors.
• Strong understanding of event logistics, venue operations, staffing requirements, event setups, and building changeovers.
• Demonstrated ability to exercise independent judgment and make routine operational and staffing decisions within established authority.
• Strong leadership, coaching, and employee relations skills.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills.
• Must have excellent communication skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel, Word, and Outlook.
• Ability to multitask to meet tight deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to work independently while functioning effectively as part of a leadership team.
• Experience working in a stadium, arena, university, convention center, or other large public assembly venue.
• Experience supporting collegiate athletics, professional sports, concerts, or large-scale events.
• Experience with event management software, employee scheduling platforms, or CMMS/work-order systems.
• Experience handling staffing schedules and labor utilization within established budgets.
• Familiarity with OSHA requirements and venue safety practices.
• Forklift certification or willingness to obtain certification.
• Familiarity with AutoCAD or similar facility planning software.
• Ability to stand and walk throughout the stadium for extended periods.
• Ability to climb stairs and navigate all areas of the venue.
• Ability to work indoors and outdoors in varying weather conditions.
• Ability to respond to operational needs throughout the venue during events.
• Ability to work evenings, weekends, holidays, and extended hours based on event schedules.

At OVG, we understand that to continue positively disrupting the sports and live entertainment industry, we need a diverse team to help us do it. We also believe that inclusivity drives innovation, strengthens our people, improves our service, and raises our excellence. Our success is rooted in creating environments that reflect and celebrate the diverse communities in which we operate and serve, and this is the reason we are committed to amplifying voices from all different backgrounds.

Oak View Group is committed to equal employment opportunity. We will not discriminate against employees or applicants for employment on any legally recognized basis ("protected class") including, but not limited to veteran status, uniform service member status, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information or any other protected class under federal, state, or local law.

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