Oak View Group:
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.
Overview:
The Senior Director, Business Operations is responsible for the oversight, coordination, and execution of the club’s day-to-day business operations. This role reports into the SVP/GM. This role functions as an internal operator and integrator, supporting senior leadership while directly managing cross-departmental processes, performance, and operational readiness.
This position requires a proven sports or live entertainment executive with experience in complex, high-volume environments who can build structure in a start-up setting while remaining hands-on during the club’s early seasons.
This role pays an annual salary of $125,000-$145,000 CAD and is bonus eligible.
Benefits for Full-Time roles: Health, Dental and Vision Insurance, Pension matching, and Paid Time Off (vacation days, sick days, and statutory holidays).
This position will remain open until July 3, 2026.
Responsibilities:
- Partner with the SVP/GM to translate strategic objectives into executable operational plans.
-
Support the development of annual business plans, operational roadmaps, and performance benchmarks.
-
Drive organizational alignment across all business departments, ensuring consistency in priorities, timelines, and execution.
-
Identify operational risks and opportunities, proactively developing mitigation and improvement strategies.
-
Oversee day-to-day business operations across ticket sales, corporate partnerships, marketing, finance, game operations, and administration.
-
Establish and document standard operating procedures (SOPs) for all business functions.
-
Implement performance management systems, dashboards, and reporting to track KPIs and department objectives.
-
Lead cross-functional planning for major initiatives, promotions, special events, and league requirements.
-
Support preparation and management of annual operating budgets and multi-year financial forecasts.
-
Monitor expenses and revenues to ensure alignment with approved budgets.
-
Oversee procurement processes, vendor selection, and contract administration.
-
Ensure appropriate internal controls, approval processes, and financial discipline are maintained.
-
Coordinate with finance and ownership on reporting, audits, and financial reviews.
-
Provide senior business oversight for all home games, special events, and non-hockey events as applicable.
-
Partner with hockey operations, venue management, and third-party service providers to ensure seamless execution.
-
Lead pre-season, game day, and post-event operational planning and debrief processes.
-
Drive continuous improvement of fan experience, operational efficiency, and service delivery.
-
Assist in building the club’s business operations team, including hiring, onboarding, and training.
-
Provide leadership, mentorship, and performance management for direct reports and cross-functional leaders.
-
Help establish organizational culture, values, and expectations consistent with ownership vision.
-
Support People & Culture processes including performance reviews, workforce planning, and compliance.
-
Serve as a primary liaison with the AHL league office on business and operational matters.
-
Coordinate compliance with AHL policies, reporting requirements, and best practices.
-
Partner closely with venue ownership/management to align staffing, scheduling, and operational responsibilities.
-
Support sponsorship fulfillment, community initiatives, and external partner engagement.
-
Ensure compliance with league policies, contractual obligations, insurance requirements, and local regulations.
-
Identify and manage operational risks related to staffing, safety, security, and event execution.
-
Collaborate with venue, security, and emergency services on preparedness and response planning.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree or professional certification preferred.
-
5-7+ years of progressive leadership experience in professional sports, live entertainment, or venue operations.
-
Prior experience with hockey operations, minor league sports, or start-up franchise environments strongly preferred.
-
Demonstrated success managing complex operations, budgets, and cross-functional teams.
-
Strong financial literacy with experience overseeing budgets, contracts, and vendor relationships.
-
Exceptional organizational, leadership, and communication skills.
-
Ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced, high-pressure, and highly visible environment.
-
Willingness to work nights, weekends, and holidays as required.
Strengthened by our Differences. United to Make a Difference:
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.
Equal Opportunity Employer:
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.
