What are the responsibilities and job description for the Director of Venue Operations position at Churchill Downs Racetrack LLC?
FUNCTION
The Director of Venue Operations reports to the Senior Director of Venue and Derby Operations, and serves as the point person for all live race days. Key job responsibilities include ensuring the facility is operationally ready each live race day for opening; overseeing track-wide communication; implementing operational best practices to maximize utilization of staff and resources; examining opportunities for new revenue programs or growing existing revenue streams; and analyzing expense and cost structure of live racing departments with goal of eliminating or reducing inefficiencies and overall expenses during live racing days.
The Director of Venue Operations reports to the Senior Director of Venue and Derby Operations, and serves as the point person for all live race days. Key job responsibilities include ensuring the facility is operationally ready each live race day for opening; overseeing track-wide communication; implementing operational best practices to maximize utilization of staff and resources; examining opportunities for new revenue programs or growing existing revenue streams; and analyzing expense and cost structure of live racing departments with goal of eliminating or reducing inefficiencies and overall expenses during live racing days.
SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Create and manage a live race meet open and live race meet close checklist that ensures all tasks are completed prior to race meet and rooms are properly closed / cleaned at the end of a meet
- Produce a daily “run of show” that highlights opening times, estimated attendance levels, special events, etc.
- Coordinate guest amenities for live racing days, to include shoe shines and Handicapping 101 locations
- Oversee service contract for ATM provider – schedule money loads, communicate non-race day ATM needs, troubleshoot issues and monitor cash level in units
- Create daily live racing guest credential boards
- Assist finance team with creation of “daily flash reports” highlighting the significant revenues and expenses of each live race day. Assist with the management of the overall Race Day Profit and Loss financial statement (“P&L”) with a focus on minimizing variable costs and maximizing staff utilization for each race day
- Assist in managing the relationship with our ushering and crowd management vendor, including but not limited to management of the vendor P&L, staff placements and staff utilization
- Evaluate cross-departmental expenses and operations to find opportunities for cost savings working with other department leaders
- Work with leaders to ensure consistent delivery of company service standards to create exceptional guest experiences throughout the facility
- Serve as operations representative in the Facility Operations Center on live race days
- Assist other departments, such as Security, Ticketing, Housekeeping and Guest Services on staffing levels and job performance to maximize costs savings and maintain exceptional customer service
- Work with department leaders in creating best practices and efficient staff utilization during simulcast-only operational days (non-live race days)
- Participate in planning meetings and briefings as required for live racing and venue operations
- Collaborate with conversions team on identifying and maintaining all onsite storage locations and inventory
- Oversee parking lot management throughout the year – live racing and non-race days – to include inventory, parking plans, staffing, maintenance, equipment management and on-going communication to all stakeholders
- Assist Senior Director of Venue and Derby Operations with budgeting and strategic planning for live racing and Derby Week
- Other responsibilities as assigned
EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND EXPERIENCE
- Bachelor’s degree in hospitality management, business, sports management, marketing or other related field required.
- 5 years’ experience in event or venue management preferably in hospitality or sporting events.
- Knowledge of fire and public safety regulations
- Must be able to operate under extreme deadlines and within budgets
- Ability to be exposed to adverse weather conditions when required to work outside
- This position requires the ability to stand for long periods and move frequently throughout the facility on a regular basis. Ability to work nights, weekends and holidays as business demands
- Proficient in the Microsoft Office Suite, including Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, SmartSheet and Calendar
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to sit; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
Director of Operations
CITY OF MIDDLETOWN -
Louisville, KY
Director of Operations
Peak Industrial Coatings -
Louisville, KY
Operations Director
Sysco -
Louisville, KY
