Manager, Arena Operations

Description

Position Summary

The Manager, Arena Operations is responsible for the day-to-day leadership, planning, and execution of arena operations across the WinSport campus. This role ensures arenas are athlete-ready, event-ready, safe, and efficiently operated, while aligning with broader operational strategies, sustainability goals, and financial expectations.

Reporting to the Director, Arenas and Building Operations, the Manager plays a critical role in translating strategic direction into operational excellence, leading frontline teams, and maintaining the highest standards of ice quality, safety, and customer experience.

Key Responsibilities

Arena Operations Leadership

• Lead daily operations of all ice arenas, including ice maintenance, event changeovers, and facility readiness.
• Create, manage, and implement arena-related and icehouse-related safe work policies and procedures.
• Work alongside the arena services and events team to ensure that our operations can best serve any range of clients that attend and/or host arena bookings at our facilities.
• Participate in or lead safety inspections and investigations, working alongside the safety team to ensure the highest level of worker and public safety.
• Establish and enforce arena operating procedures, schedules, and service standards.
• Provide visible leadership during events, tournaments, and peak operating periods.

• Work directly with WinSport Events team before, during and after events to ensure smooth set up and tear down.
• Oversee and/or assist with the setup of decking, glass removal/install, stage setup/teardown, video board setup/teardown/operation, arena board teardown/setup, stadium seating changes, etc.
• Support with plans and detailed conversion schedules for the WinSport Event Centre, minimizing downtime and protecting surfaces.
• Coordinate information pertinent to the event setups with participating business units including the arena team, building operations etc.
• Ensure seamless transitions between high-performance sport, community programming, and public use.

• Plan, execute, and work with contractors to perform work related to capital related upgrades and repairs in the arenas.
• Guide and support the arena team to maintain and repair arena and icehouse assets including rink boards, glass, ice resurfacers, edgers, etc.
• Guide and support arena team in the daily, weekly, and monthly arena and icehouse facility maintenance.
• Assist with booking large, planned maintenance in all areas of the facility operations including the plant, arenas, dressing rooms, icehouse, etc.
• Manage and track daily plant inspections. Communicate anomalies and concerns to the building maintenance team or directly to refrigeration contractors to make repairs/changes.

• Manage arena operating budgets, including labour, supplies, and contracted services.
• Monitor expenditures, track variances, and recommend cost-effective solutions.
• Order supplies, PPE, tools, equipment, and other items related to the arena operations.

• Directly supervise senior ice technicians, ice technicians, and rink attendants.
• Schedule staffing to meet operational demands while optimizing labour costs.
• Recruit, train, coach, and evaluate staff to build a skilled, engaged workforce.
• Promote a culture of safety, accountability, and continuous improvement.

• Build and maintain relationships with industry partners including other arena facilities, suppliers, contractors, etc.
• Serve as a primary operational contact for user groups, coaches, athletes, and event organizers.
• Address operational issues and concerns in a timely, professional manner.
• Represent arena operations in internal planning and coordination meetings.

• Diploma or degree in Facility Management, Recreation Management, Mechanical Systems, or a related field.
• AARFP Arena Operator Level 2 or equivalent; ammonia/refrigeration safety training.
• Minimum of 5 years hands‑on arena operations experience with 2–3 years in a lead or supervisor role covering multi‑sheet facilities, conversions, and guest‑facing events.
• Experience supporting high-performance sport or multi-use arena environments preferred.
• Forklift and aerial work platform experience considered an asset
• Olympia LVR laser leveling system experience.

• Exceptional written and verbal communication, organizational and interpersonal skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and experience with data analysis and reporting tools.
• Advanced knowledge of ice making, refrigeration systems, and arena operations.
• Excellent people leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills
• Ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced, event-driven environment.
• Strong organizational and decision-making capabilities.

• Collaboration
• Coordinates work across teams and consults key partners early to deliver outcomes.
• Removes barriers and roadblocks to progress, including partner-related issues.
• Balances priorities and resources.
• Safety
• Identifies patterns and recurring safety risks.
• Adjusts plans, staffing, or resources to reduce risk.
• Ensures teams are trained and prepared.
• Integrity
• Holds teams accountable for commitments and performance.
• Makes fair, ethical, and transparent decisions with teams and partners.
• Addresses underperformance and builds trust through honest, transparent dialogue and genuine care.
• Sustainability
• Aligns work and resources to achieve goals using performance data and trends.
• Makes trade-offs based on outcomes, capacity, and metrics.
• Builds team capacity through planning, pacing, and recovery.
• Inspiration
• Creates environments where teams deliver confident, consistent guest experiences.
• Uses guest insight and feedback to guide improvements and innovation.
• Acts with urgency to turn ideas into better experiences.
• Belonging
• Ensures team members are included in decisions that affect their work.
• Uses feedback to reduce barriers, frustration, and disengagement.
• Builds trust through consistent, fair, and respectful leadership.
  

• Primarily office-based, working in a professional, fast-paced environment.
• Work environment is cold, wet, and will include extensive walking and/or standing.
• Frequent use of computer systems, phones, and other standard office equipment.
• Regular meetings and collaboration with internal and external stakeholders, in person or virtually.

• Generally full-time, Monday to Friday with some variation based on operational needs.
• Physical Demands:
• Heavy lifting at times required.
• Occasional working at heights required.
• Walking on ice
• Working with heights
• Occasional overnight work is required