Operations Manager Lakeside Stadium

About State Sport Centres:

We are looking for people to join our team and play their own crucial part in the dynamic world of State Sport Centres. Our people and our venues are the heartbeat of premier multi-sport facilities in Victoria, dedicated to fostering peak performance, unlocking potential, and delivering world-class events. State Sport Centres are more than just facilities; we're the driving force behind sport and recreation enthusiasts reaching new heights. We exist to fuel passion, inspire excellence, and contribute to the well-being of the Victorian community.  Join the team that transforms the sports landscape and creates a legacy of excitement, engagement, and inspiration. 

About the role:

As the Operations Manager at Lakeside Stadium, you will be responsible for implementing the operational plan and managing all aspects of venue operations, including facilities, presentation and preparation, supporting events and stakeholder engagement. Reporting to the Senior Operations Manager and working closely with key teams such as Facilities Management, Events & Bookings and Health & Safety, your goal is to deliver outstanding operational performance while supporting the strategic objectives of SSCT.

This hands-on leadership role requires a flexible, proactive individual who thrives in a fast-paced environment. You will be responsible for the successful delivery of daily events and bookings, maintaining safety and risk standards, developing customer service capability and helping to drive venue utilisation. Additionally, you will play a key role in fostering strong working relationships with both internal and external stakeholders, including sports partners, service providers and patrons.

As the Operations Manager Lakeside Stadium, primary responsibilities will include:

• Leading venue operations, ensuring the effective management of professional relationships with sports partners, hirers, patrons and service providers
• Overseeing daily event scheduling and venue set-up and pack down, ensuring safety, risk, and compliance standards are met
• Developing and implementing operational plans to facilitate smooth, consistent, high quality delivery, that contributes to the maximising utilisation of the venue outside priority access times
• Working closely with the Events & Bookings team to manage contracts, budget forecasts and client relationships
• Ensuring the venue consistently delivers high standards of safety, facilities and equipment  maintenance and customer service
• Driving continuous improvement in all areas of venue management, including team development and operational efficiency
• Representing Lakeside Stadium and SSCT in relevant stakeholder forums, and developing a sports partner network for regular consultation

Required skills and Qualifications:

• Tertiary qualifications in business, events, project management, hospitality, or a related field
• 5+ years of operational leadership experience in a dynamic venue or events environment
• Strong financial literacy, commercial acumen and the ability to achieve operational and financial KPIs
• Excellent communication, negotiation and stakeholder management skills
• Proven ability to lead and develop high-performing teams, while fostering a culture of continuous improvement
• Knowledge of the sports and recreation industry is advantageous
• Flexibility to work across a variety of hours, including weekends and public holidays, based on event demands
• Victorian Employee Working with Children Check

Why is this a great place to work?

You will love working at the State Sports Centres. Here’s just a few reasons why:

• Great staff benefits including free parking, gym membership, discounts at SSCT food & beverage and retail outlets and complimentary court hire for casual bookings across the stadiums
• Family and friends’ discounts on gym membership
• Discounted access to holiday programs and creche for dependents 
• Flexible working arrangements
• You will be surrounded by elite athletes daily and will be supporting a wide range of elite sports and world class events, as well as community sport and recreation
• You will be challenged daily and can develop yourself as a person as well as gaining valuable career skills
• We have a fantastic team of people who are great to work with

Join us in our mission to help people to be excited about sport, engage in healthy activity and feel inspired to be their best.

How to apply:

Please send through a resume and cover letter supporting your application for this exciting role with State Sport Centres.  We will be reviewing applications and commencing interviews as they come in, so please don't delay in applying.  For further information please contact Abigail Grant, Talent Acquisition Business Partner +61 3 9926 1358

SSCT values diversity, is an equal opportunity employer, and encourages applications from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, and from people with disabilities. We aim to foster a culturally safe, child safe and child friendly environment for all children and young people we have contact with, deliver services to, or are visitors to our venues and facilities. Successful applicants will be required to provide a current Working with Children Check before being able to commence employment.