Description

Job Description

Baltimore Ravens

Vice President of Fields & Grounds

Dept: Operations

Reports to: Sr. VP of Operations & Sr. VP of Stadium Operations

The Vice President of Fields and Grounds is a senior executive responsible for the strategic planning, management, and maintenance of all outdoor NFL fields, facilities grounds and landscaped areas for the Baltimore Ravens, including the Under Armour Performance Center and the field at M&T Bank Stadium. The VP of Fields and Grounds oversees and contributes to the day-to-day operations while developing and implementing long-term strategies to ensure safety, efficiency, and aesthetic excellence.

Responsibilities

• Strategic leadership and planning: Develop and implement long-term plans for all NFL fields (4 outdoor grass fields and 1 indoor synthetic field), landscaping, and other open spaces. This includes planning and execution for the NFL football season, internal branding/sponsorship events, 3rd party games/events/concerts, major renovations & construction projects, sustainability initiatives and inclement weather planning.
• Budgeting and financial management: Create and manage annual and long-term budgets for all facilities and grounds operations, including capital expenditures for resodding, major projects, equipment, and resources. Ensures consistency among facilities and seeks to gain efficiency where possible.
• Personnel management: Supervise, mentor, and evaluate a team of directors, managers and staff involved in field(s) maintenance, groundskeeping, painting, game and practice preparation. Oversee hiring, training, and performance to build a high-performing department.
• Maintenance and operations oversight: Direct the maintenance of all natural and synthetic turf fields, landscaped areas, irrigation systems, and recreational facilities. This includes performing and directing tasks such as aeration, fertilization, painting and pest control. Expectation is to be at all home games, help with field preparation, snow removal and tarping as necessary. Manage staff, time and demands accordingly.
• Compliance and safety: Ensure all facilities and grounds adhere to NFL regulations as well as local, state, and federal regulations regarding health, safety, and environmental standards, including OSHA guidelines. Ensure that pristine NFL fields are always maintained. Manage and plan for poor, harsh and/or hazardous weather conditions.
• Vendor and contract management: Oversee relationships and contracts with outside vendors and contractors for services and supplies, ensuring fair pricing and quality of work. Establish consistency among locations for equipment, parts, labor, contracts and vendors.
• Cross-functional collaboration: Work with other departments such as coaches, operations, and event management, to coordinate schedules, logistics, and resources. Develop guidelines for field usage and partner with internal teams to collaborate.
• Emergency response: Develop and implement emergency preparedness and disaster recovery plans for all outdoor facilities.

Qualifications and Experience

• Education:
• A bachelor's degree in a relevant field such as turfgrass science, facilities management, engineering, horticulture, or business administration is required. A master's degree or industry certifications (such as Certified Facility Manager or Level 3 (Advanced) Certified Sports Field Manager) is preferred.
• Experience:
• 10 or more years of progressive leadership experience in professional sports field management, facilities or grounds management is required with a proven track record of managing large-scale sports games (ideally NFL), operations and capital projects.
• 10 or more years of progressive leadership experience in managing events at a pro-sports venue with quick turn around time, harsh weather conditions, natural grass fields in addition to managing a practice facility under harsh weather conditions.
• Proven ability and experience in managing tight deadlines in high pressure situations while maintaining relationships, ensuring safety and effectively communicating.
• Preferably experience working with Bermuda Grass
• Skills:
• Leadership and management: Excellent team-building and leadership skills to effectively guide a diverse staff.
• Communication: Exceptional written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills for engaging with senior leadership, staff, and external stakeholders.
• Financial acumen: Strong understanding of budgeting, forecasting, and contract negotiation.
• Technical knowledge: In-depth knowledge of NFL guidelines/standards, field maintenance practices, landscaping, building systems, and applicable regulations.
• Analytical and problem-solving skills: The ability to address complex issues, make data-driven decisions, and manage competing priorities.

Position Requirements:

• Ability to work long hours, including nights, weekends and holidays in all kinds of weather conditions, including cold, heat, rain and snow.
• Ability to lift and jostle up to 50lbs. Ability to bend over, stand from seated/bent over positions and get up and down.
• Ability to stand and walk for long periods of time.
• Expert ability to operate heavy equipment needed to maintain NFL football fields.

Salary and Benefits:

• Range: $150,000 - 250,000
• Company-paid health insurance, including health and vision. Dental insurance also provided with minimal employee contribution
• Competitive 401(K)
• Paid time off to include 3 weeks of vacation and 5 personal/sick days

Application Process:

To be considered for this position, applicants must complete the online application, submit a resume and cover letter. Any applications that are missing the required information will not be considered.

As an equal opportunity employer, we consider candidates from all backgrounds and identities. We encourage individuals from all ethnicities, sexual orientations, gender identities, socio economic status, as well as military veterans and individuals with disabilities, to apply.