Career Center

The Virginia Beach Convention Center exists to facilitate successful experiences by offering a full range of high-quality services and amenities for conventions, professional trade shows, consumer shows and community events. The right candidate for this position will be a self-motivated individual who enjoys a challenging work environment and wants to make a difference in our organization. You will be an integral part of a team committed to providing exceptional customer service to our clients. Job duties of the General Manager (Convention Center Manager) include the following:

• Plan, direct, organize and develop the operation of a competing municipally owned public assembly facilities to include:
  • Sales, marketing and event management.
  • Facility maintenance, security and safety.
  • Budget management, revenue generation and performance measurement.
  • Contract administration of specialty contractors for food and beverage, security, audio visual, internet service, and a variety of other event related contractors.
  • Serve on the leadership team of the Virginia Beach Convention & Visitors Bureau and develop maintain effective working relationships with other divisions of the Bureau.
• Demonstrate facility CIP experience at the scope and level of a mid-sized US convention center or other $100M-$300M facility.
• Generate direct revenue and ensure a continual flow of quality events.
• Maintain competitive advantage of facilities through industry research, marketing, public relations and capital improvement programs.
• Coordinate the processing of facility booking inquiries.
• Negotiate facility rental agreements within legal limits, meet with clients to plan events and oversee event services.
• Maintain effective relationships with industry partners, City staff and contractors.
• Communicate Life Safety Codes as required, regulations and rules governing venues in accordance with city ordinances, center policies and objectives, and industry standards, resulting in a successful operation of facilities.
• Develop and monitor comprehensive performance indicators to ensure desired outcomes.
• Negotiate, procure, and administer effective contracts for goods and professional services including building maintenance contracts; food and beverage service contracts; security and event staffing contracts; ticketing service providers; first responder medical services; and others, under the City’s contracting guidelines.
• Manage the hiring, staffing and performance management functions for the VB Convention Center division.
• Oversee box office and accounting operations.
• Direct the strategic planning and project management function of the Center.
• Serve on the Convention & Visitors Bureau’s executive team supporting its mission and the overall desired outcomes of the City.
• Ensure that staff is well trained to respond to life safety emergencies under incident command structure (ICS) and other emergency protocols.
• Maintain a safe environment for employees, contractors and the public based on life safety codes and best industry practices for public assembly facilities.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Any combination of education (above the high school level) and/or experience equivalent to ten (10) years in fields such as convention center/arena management, business administration, marketing or public relations utilizing the required knowledge, skills and abilities and associated with such positions as public assembly manager or facility manager.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
All employees may be expected to work hours in excess of their normally scheduled hours in response to short-term department needs and/or City-wide emergencies.