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Vinik Sports Group

Manages NHL team and arena operations

Plaza Team

Part-Time
No salary listed
Entry
Tampa, FL, USA
In Person
Customer Experience & Support

About the job

Requirements
  • Six months of previous experience in guest services, hospitality, event operations, or a related field is preferred.
  • Ability to communicate effectively via radio using proper etiquette.
  • Ability to follow directions and execute tasks with attention to detail.
  • Ability to remain calm, focused, and confident when assisting large crowds or handling stressful situations.
  • Ability to deliver clear information to guests through strong verbal communication.
  • Sound judgment and the ability to de-escalate or assist with volatile or high-tension situations.
  • Ability to stand for extended periods, walk long distances, and climb stairs as required.
  • Ability to work in crowded environments with guests, equipment, and event staff.
  • Comfort working around haze, strobe lights, lasers, and similar production elements.
  • Ability to work in loud or high-energy environments.
  • Ability to lift and carry items weighing up to 50 pounds.
  • Ability to walk up to 0.5 miles to and from designated employee parking areas, including during high-traffic periods and varying weather conditions.
  • Flexibility to work long hours, nights, weekends, and holidays as required by the event schedule.
  • Ability to work in varied temperature conditions, including hot or cold indoor and outdoor environments.
  • Ability to work comfortably at high heights.
  • Ability to communicate clearly and effectively in English.
Responsibilities
  • Assist Conversion Technicians with setting up and breaking down plaza events, activations, and pre-game programming.
  • Welcome, direct, and assist guests as they arrive on the East and West Plazas.
  • Monitor, respond to, and document incidents in outdoor plaza spaces, escalating to Supervisors or Security when needed.
  • Manage large crowds during peak pre- and post-event periods to ensure safe and efficient pedestrian flow.
  • Oversee and organize lines at the Ticket Office, Thunder Alley food stands, Student Rush, and all arena gates.
  • Perform routine sanitization procedures to maintain a clean, safe, and guest-ready environment.
  • Support Guest Experience and Security teams with plaza-based operational needs as required.
Desired Qualifications
  • Six months of previous experience in guest services, hospitality, event operations, or a related field.

About the company

Vinik Sports Group oversees the Tampa Bay Lightning and owns the lease to Benchmark International Arena in downtown Tampa, and also manages the Yuengling Center at the University of South Florida via TBSE. It runs the team and venues, handling operations, branding, and renovations, including a private upgrade of the publicly owned arena, and works with private partners like Benchmark International and Arctos. The group differentiates itself by combining franchise ownership with venue management and a network of private investors to grow both on-ice performance and facility value. Its goal is to sustain competitive success for the Lightning while maximizing long-term value of the venues through efficient operations and strategic partnerships.

Company Size

201-500

Company Stage

N/A

Total Funding

N/A

Headquarters

Tampa, Florida

Founded

N/A

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Simplify Jobs

Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • Cabot Club opened September 2026, adding premium inventory and higher-margin hospitality.
  • Benchmark International Arena booked Jonas Brothers, RUSH, and Lightning dates through November 2026.
  • The 2025 naming deal and 2026 renovations signal sponsors still fund the venue.

What critics are saying

  • Luckett v. Vinik Sports Group filed January 2026 alleges racial discrimination and retaliation.
  • Arena revenue depends on event attendance; any Lightning slump hits sponsorship and premium sales.
  • Jeff Vinik's platform relies on one franchise and one building, creating concentration risk.

What makes Vinik Sports Group unique

  • Jeff Vinik transformed the Lightning and arena since 2010, building premium demand.
  • Benchmark International Arena secured 2025 naming rights with community contributions and full rebranding.
  • Cabot Club deepens hospitality strategy through Cabot Citrus Farms and OVG partnerships.

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Benefits

  • Remote Work Options
  • Flexible Work Hours

Company News

Street Media LLC
Sep 28th, 2026
Cabot Club offers premium hospitality for NHL, concerts & live events.

Cabot Club offers premium hospitality for NHL, concerts & live events. September 28, 2026 By Staff Reports TAMPA - Vinik Sports Group announced the opening of the Cabot Club, a new hospitality destination at Benchmark International Arena. The nearly 8,500-square-foot space is the result of a multi-million-dollar renovation to elevate the guest experience for fans attending Tampa Bay Lightning games, concerts and other live events at the arena. The Cabot Club was developed through a new partnership with Cabot Citrus Farms, a golf and lifestyle resort, and Oak View Group, a hospitality provider. "Together, we've created a destination that combines exceptional service, culinary excellence and exclusive amenities designed to create a truly memorable experience for our guests," said Steve Griggs, CEO of Vinik Sports Group. The reimagined club offers expanded seating, new food options,a private dining room and upgraded technology. "We're always looking for ways to elevate the experience for our fans and guests and build on the energy and momentum happening around Benchmark International Arena and throughout the Water Street district," Griggs said. "As the neighborhood continues to evolve, we're committed to ensuring the arena evolves with it, and we're proud to partner with Cabot and OVG Hospitality to bring this vision to life."

PR Newswire
Sep 25th, 2025
Tampa Bay Lightning Launches New DTC Streaming Service with ViewLift

The venue opened in 1996 and became Benchmark International Arena in August 2025 when the global mergers and acquisitions firm, Benchmark International, partnered with Vinik and the Lightning.

WrestleTalk
Mar 7th, 2025
Two WWE Specials Announced For Memorial Day Weekend

"March 7, 2025 - WWE in partnership with the Tampa Bay Sports Commission and Vinik Sports Group, today announced a Memorial Day weekend takeover of the Yuengling Center in Tampa, Florida, with four consecutive events beginning Saturday, May 24.