Business Manager

Division/Department: Branson Scenic Railway (BSR)/Management

Job Title: Business Manager

Reports To: AHR Chief Operating Officer

Type of position: Exempt/Salary

Employee Classification: Regular

Location: Branson, MO

Compensation: $65,000 - $90,000/year

Regular classified employees are eligible for the following benefits: Medical/Rx, Dental, and Vision plan with a portion of the premiums paid for by American Heritage Railways. Employer-funded HSA (for qualified employees), company-funded Life AD&D insurance and Voluntary Life (premiums paid for by the employee), generous PTO plan, 401K plan with company-match, company provided Employee Assistance Program.

Job Summary: The BSR Business Manager is the day-to-day leader of all BSR staff and operations. The position will have a strong focus on the company safety culture by maintaining policies and procedures as they relate to company standards as well as compliance with applicable regulatory agencies. The Business Manager works with department Managers locally as well as American Heritage Railways (AHR) Management to plan, organize, direct and control activities and financials to ensure the company’s goals and objectives are reached.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Strategic Management

• Working with AHR Management, design the strategic goals and objectives for the operation.
• Plan, organize, direct and control activities to ensure the company’s goals and objectives are reached and consistent with established Company policy and procedure.
• Create strategic partnerships with local organizations to increase the business presence and standing within the community.
• Ensure all activities are planned and implemented to meet company brand expectations and that they directly align with the strategic goals of the company.
• Ensure all initiatives include safety as a priority and include risk evaluation and mitigation tactics.

Financial Oversight

• Budgeting and allocation of finances between multiple departments.
• Work with the Accounting Manager to create suggested budget plans for the financial year.
• Review the monthly finances, suggest departmental budget changes if required and communicate financial information to assist in proactive and timely decision making.
• Works to increase sales by collaborating with Marketing, reservations, F&B, and giftshop Managers on strategies to meet sales goals.
• Make sure that in pursuit of increasing sales that productivity also increases and will work to ensure that a high value of service is provided to the train passengers.

Employee Management

• Continuously evaluate the staffing structure to ensure staffing levels meet the need of the operation at all times.
• Support and guide departmental managers in the hiring of new employees, training, motivation, and goals with consultation from the Human Resource Department.
• Monitors staff performance, perform evaluations, and recommends personnel actions such as promotion, layoff, disciplinary action and termination.

Operations Management and Oversight

• Lead and manage the local operation of the railroad including mechanical, facilities, human resources, accounting, gift shop, concessions, reservations, safety, security, special events and partnerships.
• Liaison for local public/business relationship activities including interfacing with the rail owners, media, chambers, government and regulatory agencies.
• Frequently rides the train to observe operations and personnel to ensure company policy and procedure is adhered to.
• Interacting with train guests to redress complaints as needed.
• Prepare reports to appraise AHR Management about the functioning of the company.
• Work with AHR Management to maintain the applicable safety rule books, Redbook, and Emergency Response Plan.
• Runs staff meetings and safety meetings to ensuring the team is fully briefed and action points are recorded and achieved.
• Continually updates job knowledge by participating in educational opportunities; reading professional publications; maintaining personal networks; participating in professional organizations.
• Manage and ensure compliance with all policies, procedures, and safety programs including Safety Rules, Operating Rules, Incident Investigation, and Drug Testing.
• Oversee and ensure compliance with all regulatory and other licensing requirements including Federal Railroad Administration, Code of Federal Regulations, OSHA, EPA, City, State, County, Insurance, etc.
• Initiate/Complete required paperwork and recordkeeping in a timely manner providing accurate reports to accounting, payroll, HR, and senior management as requested.
• Manage/Oversee/Accomplish any special projects requested by senior management.
• Other duties as requested by AHR senior management.

Work Environment:

• Majority of time spent in an office setting.
• Work in and around rail yard, tracks, railroad equipment and heavy equipment in an industrial environment.
• Must be prepared to work in outdoor weather conditions that can include extreme heat, cold, rain, snow, and ice.
• Work schedule will be varied including both normal business hours and unconventional hours in excess of 40 hours per week based on frequency of train schedule departures and passenger ridership.

Education, Skill and Work Experience Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration/management, Project Management, or related field.
• Experience in general business operations and leadership, preferred.
• Familiarity with requirements set forth by the FRA, OSHA, Missouri Department of Health and Human Services, and Missouri Division of Environmental Health, preferred.
• Must have the ability to use sound judgment and maintain confidentiality.
• Must possess proven leadership and interpersonal skills.
• Must have basic business skills including a proficiency in Microsoft Office 365 including Teams, Word, Excel, Outlook, and Power Point.
• Must be able to communicate effectively in both written and spoken English.