General Manager

The Position

The Rose Bowl Operating Company manages one of the most iconic sports and entertainment destinations in the world. Located in Pasadena, California, the Rose Bowl Stadium has hosted the Rose Bowl Game, FIFA World Cup matches, Super Bowls, Olympic competitions, championship events, and world-class concerts. Beyond the stadium, the campus includes Brookside Golf Course and a year-round calendar of sporting, entertainment, and community events.

Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer, the General Manager serves as the senior operational leader for the organization and is responsible for the strategic leadership and day-to-day management of the Rose Bowl campus enterprise. This executive oversees venue operations, major event execution, capital improvement initiatives, business operations, and stakeholder engagement while ensuring alignment with priorities established by the CEO, Board of Directors, and City of Pasadena.

The successful candidate will bring strong operational leadership, business acumen, and stakeholder management capabilities to a highly visible organization. Working across a complex ecosystem of public agencies, tenants, promoters, business partners, and community stakeholders, the General Manager will help ensure operational excellence while positioning the Rose Bowl for continued growth and long-term success.

Key Responsibilities

Executive Leadership & Organizational Management

• Lead day-to-day operational management of the Rose Bowl campus and associated business activities.

• Partner with the CEO to execute strategic initiatives and organizational priorities.

• Foster a culture of accountability, operational excellence, and continuous improvement.

Event, Venue & Campus Operations

• Oversee planning and execution of major sporting events, concerts, festivals, and community events.

• Ensure safe, efficient, and high-quality event operations.

• Lead guest experience, emergency preparedness, crowd management, and campus logistics initiatives.

Capital Planning & Infrastructure

• Lead capital improvement projects and long-range campus planning efforts.

• Coordinate with architects, engineers, contractors, consultants, and regulatory agencies.

• Support infrastructure investments that enhance safety, operations, and the guest experience.

Strategic Business Operations & Revenue Generation

• Support revenue-generating initiatives and organizational sustainability efforts.

• Identify operational efficiencies and business opportunities.

• Oversee key operational contracts, partnerships, and service agreements.

External Relations & stakeholder Coordination

• Build relationships with tenants, promoters, governmental agencies, and community stakeholders.

• Represent the organization at meetings, events, and public forums.

• Coordinate with City departments and external partners to support successful campus operations.

Qualifications

• Eight or more years of progressively responsible leadership experience in sports, entertainment, venue management, hospitality, public assembly facilities, municipal enterprises, or related industries.

• Experience overseeing complex operations, personnel, budgets, major events, and capital projects.

• Demonstrated success managing large-scale public events, multi-department operations, and complex stakeholder environments.

• Strong understanding of venue operations, event logistics, guest experience, and public assembly facilities.

• Experience with budgeting, financial planning, forecasting, and resource allocation.

• Knowledge of operational risk management, emergency preparedness, and public safety coordination.

• Experience leading capital improvement projects, infrastructure initiatives, or long-range facility planning efforts.

• Bachelor's degree in a related field or equivalent combination of education and experience.