Production and services manager, lakefront arena

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Department

Kiefer Lakefront Arena

Job Summary

Assistant Production & Operations Manager is responsible for coordinating and supporting custodial operations, event production activities, facility services, and operational readiness for the Lakefront Arena. This position oversees custodial staff, part-time personnel, contractors, and vendors; coordinates event setups, conversions, and logistics; and helps ensure the facility is safe, clean, and event-ready. The position also supports equipment management, maintenance operations, regulatory compliance, and emergency preparedness. In the absence of the Production & Operations Manager, this position assists with or assumes operational oversight of the Arena's production, facility, and event support functions.

Job Description

Custodial Operations

• Oversee and monitor the daily cleanliness, appearance, and operational readiness of the Lakefront Arena, parking facilities, and surrounding grounds and maintains the facility for event readiness.
• Manage third-party custodial contractors to ensure compliance with contractual specifications and venue standards.
• Plan, organize, and supervise the work of custodial personnel, part-time labor, and contracted janitorial staff and maintain the facility for event readiness.
• Schedule custodial staffing to support all events and daily operations.
• Ensure all public, administrative, production, and back-of-house areas are cleaned and maintained before, during, and after events to provide a safe and professional environment.
• Conduct routine inspections to verify quality standards and address deficiencies in a timely manner.

Event Production & Operations

• Coordinate venue set-ups, changeovers, event conversions, rehearsals, and tear-downs.
• Review event specifications, seating layouts, production schedules, and logistical requirements to determine staffing and equipment needs.
• Create and maintain digital venue layouts and event diagrams.
• Assist with event advancement activities including production meetings, venue walkthroughs, staffing coordination, and vendor communication.
• Respond to operational issues, last-minute event changes, and production requests during events.
• Ensure all event setups comply with safety regulations, fire codes, ADA requirements, and venue operating standards and maintain the facility for event readiness.

Equipment & Facility Services

• Supervise the movement, storage, maintenance, and deployment of facility equipment including staging, portable flooring, tables, chairs, risers, barricades, drapery, meeting room equipment, temporary utilities, and other event support equipment.
• Operate and assist in maintaining University-owned vehicles, tools, equipment, and maintenance supplies and maintain the facility for event readiness.
• Supervise the daily activities of the multi-trade maintenance shop supporting building operations.
• Submit and monitor work orders for facility repairs and maintenance to maintain the facility for event readiness.
• Coordinate temporary electrical, telecommunications, internet, and production support services required for events.

Personnel & Vendor Management

• Recruit, train, schedule, supervise, and evaluate part-time production personnel.
• Assemble production crews for daily operations and event support.
• Coordinate and supervise third-party contractors providing production labor, audiovisual, electrical, custodial, and related services.
• Develop and maintain positive working relationships with contractors, vendors, clients, and University departments.
• Implement staff development and continuous improvement initiatives to enhance operational effectiveness.

Safety & Administrative Responsibilities

• Assist with facility safety inspections, policy implementation, and regulatory compliance initiatives to maintain the facility for event readiness.
• Act as liaison between venue operations, security personnel, emergency responders, and event staff during incidents or emergency situations.
• Maintain digital records, cloud-based facility documentation, equipment inventories, venue diagrams, and operational files.
• Complete special projects and administrative assignments supporting the Facilities Department.
• Promote safe work practices and ensure compliance with University policies and OSHA standards.

Acting Production & Operations Manager

When serving in the absence of the Production & Facility Operations Manager or during heavy event loads, this position shall:

• Assist in managing the daily operation of the Arena and production activities.
• Assist in overseeing the maintenance of building systems including HVAC, mechanical, electrical, lighting, structural components, parking areas, and grounds to maintain the facility for event readiness.
• Assist in coordinate production staffing, maintenance personnel, and contracted service providers.
• Monitor facility systems, preventative maintenance programs, inspections, and operational records to maintain the facility for event readiness.
• Assist with post-event reports, invoicing, and financial settlements as assigned.
• Provide technical support for venue systems including audio, video, lighting, security, IT infrastructure, and building automation systems.
• Serve as liaison with University Information Technology and third-party technical service providers.
• Coordinate emergency preparedness activities, employee training, and facility emergency response procedures.
• Assume all responsibilities delegated to the Production & Facility Operations Manager.

Additional Responsibilities

Perform other duties as assigned by the Assistant General Manager, and the General Manager & Associate Vice President of Auxiliary Enterprises. Perform duties of the Production & Operations 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 experience in facility operations, production services, entertainment venues, convention centers, sports facilities, or similar public assembly facilities.
• Demonstrated supervisory experience managing production, custodial, maintenance, or event operations personnel.
• Strong written, verbal, organizational, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings, weekends, holidays, and extended hours as required by the event schedule.
• Valid driver's license.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience in arena, convention center, stadium, theater, or public assembly facility operations.
• Working knowledge of computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS), Building Automation Systems (BAS), and AutoCAD or comparable drafting software.
• Knowledge of arena production systems including lighting, sound, staging, rigging, and event conversion operations.
• Experience supervising custodial operations and third-party service providers.
• Knowledge of OSHA regulations, life safety codes, ADA requirements, and public assembly facility standards.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and facility management software.
• Demonstrated leadership, customer service, problem-solving, and project management skills.

Required Attachments

Please upload the following documents in the Resume/Cover Letter section.

• Detailed resume listing relevant qualifications and experience;
• Cover Letter indicating why you are a good fit for the position and LSU New Orleans;
• Names and contact information of three references;

Applications that do not include the required uploaded documents may not be considered.

Posting Close Date

This position will remain open until filled.

Note to Applicant:

Applicants should fully describe their qualifications and experience with specific reference to each of the minimum and preferred qualifications in their cover letter. The search committee will use this information during the initial review of application materials. References will be contacted at the appropriate phase of the recruitment process. This position may require a criminal background check to be conducted on the candidate(s) selected for hire. As part of the hiring process, applicants for positions at LSU New Orleans may be required to demonstrate the ability to perform job-related tasks.

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.