Oak View Group is the global leader in venue development, management, and premium hospitality services for the live event industry. Offering an unmatched, 360-degree solution set for a collection of world-class owned venues and a client roster that includes the most influential, highest attended arenas, convention centers, music festivals, performing arts centers, and cultural institutions on the planet.

The General Manager, Venue is responsible for the overall management, promotion, and operation of the facility, including operations, booking, marketing, finance, food and beverage, box office, security, IT, production, technology, partnerships, special events, community relations, sustainability, branding, and all other related departments for the Santander Arena & Performing Arts Center.

This role reports into the Senior Vice President for OVG360 and is the main liaison for the location for implementation of Corporate OVG initiatives.

This role will pay between $230,000-$245,000 and is bonus eligible. 

Benefits for Full-Time roles: Health, Dental and Vision insurance, 401(k) savings plan, 401(k) matching, and paid time off (vacation days, sick days, and 11 holidays).

This position will remain open until July 31, 2025. 

Santander Arena, located in downtown Reading, Pennsylvania, is a versatile venue that serves as the home arena for the Reading Royals, the ECHL affiliate of the Philadelphia Flyers. The Santander Arena has hosted an array of live events including concerts, Disney on Ice, and other family friendly events attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors annually. 

• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with boards, tenants, government departments and agencies, entertainment/convention industry, community and civic organizations to encourage continual and regular use of the facilities 
• Develop and maintain relationships with major sponsors, key stakeholders, and sports tenants 
• Coordinate, implement, and administer specific plans and programs prescribed by corporate directives, to include matters of training and development; quality assurance; energy efficiency; safety/emergency procedures, crowd control and crisis management procedures, or other areas as needed 
• Develop and implement facility goals in accordance with corporate policy and good business practice
• Plan, organize, coordinate and direct all activities and personnel engaged in maintaining and operating the facilities 
• Recruit, select, lead, motivate and evaluate director level staff; provide or coordinate training as needed; work with employees to correct deficiencies; implement discipline and termination procedures 
• Commit to a diverse and inclusive workforce supporting a positive employee culture that reflects OVG’s reputation in the industry 
• Act as one of the primary Executives on Duty at all events  
• Oversee and provide strategic leadership to the Maintenance and Custodial departments responsible for the effective cleanliness, safety & security, OSHA reporting, operation and maintenance of arena/practice facility and related equipment  
• Continually evaluate the quality of the fan experience by firsthand observation, objective feedback and interaction  
• Evaluate and oversee the development of sustainability initiatives for the arena 
• Develop, manage, and execute the capital plan for arena  
• Assist and coordinate with the development of the annual operating calendar, activity schedules, projections for attendance and/or revenue  
• Direct the development and administer the execution of operating and marketing financial plans and documents; to include operating revenue and expense budgets; capital expense plans and budgets  
• Control all day-to-day operations; assuring the coordination of plans, programs and events; conduct post-event operational and financial review and analysis  
• Advise Human Resources on any necessary revisions/modifications to the staffing plans, including number and types of employees, essential functions, salaries, and benefits  
• Assure the administration of personnel and the operation of plant and facilities are conducted in accordance with applicable local, state and federal regulations  
• Evaluate facility practices and recommend improvements to better reflect the needs of arena clients and the facility, and/or to improve the efficiency and safety of operations, in compliance with policies and procedures 
• Oversee the coordination of resources with Oak View Group corporate office 
• Actively represent venue in community as ambassador 
• Actively pursue new business opportunities 
• Attend conferences and trade association meetings 
• Other duties and responsibilities as assigned 

• Bachelor’s degree or better from an accredited college or university in Business/Hospitality Management or related field 

• Minimum of 10+ years management experience in an Arena, Convention Center, Hotel or other similar public assembly facility. Experience at both Arena and Convention Center highly preferred. 

• 7 plus years of people leadership in positions of increasing responsibility 

• Proven leadership skills 

• Demonstrated knowledge of facility operations, budget preparation and personnel management 

• Ability to apply conflict resolution and problem-solving skills in a team-oriented environment 

• Ability to express ideas clearly through both oral and written communication 

• Superior sales and marketing skills 

• Knowledge of budget preparation and control 

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.

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.