Vice President of Hospitality

Oak View Group (OVG) is the global leader in premium live entertainment infrastructure and services, with a platform spanning venue development and end-to-end capabilities across venue management, hospitality, and sponsorship sales. Founded in 2015, the company serves a collection of seven world-class owned venues and a client roster of the most iconic arenas, stadiums, convention centers, music festivals, performing arts centers, and cultural institutions, spanning four continents. 

The Vice President of Hospitality is responsible for the overall leadership, efficient operation, and financial performance of food and beverage and premium hospitality services at Penn State Athletics, including Performance Dining, Social Club, Hospitality at the golf course, and all the contracted venues within our Penn State Athletics portfolio, including Beaver Stadium and Pegula Ice Arena. This individual oversees all management and full-time and part-time team members while ensuring compliance with state and federal labor laws, food safety and sanitation standards, and alcohol service regulations. The Vice President of Hospitality drives operational excellence, delivers exceptional guest experiences, develops strong partnerships with Penn State Athletics, and identifies opportunities to grow revenue both within the venue and through off-site events and catering.

This role offers an annual salary of $170,000 - $185,000 and is bonus eligible.

Benefits for Full-Time Roles: Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance, 401(k) Savings Plan, 401(k) matching, and Paid Time Off (vacation days, sick days, and 11 holidays)

This position will remain open until December 31, 2026.

Penn State University Athletics is home to one of the most iconic traditions in college sports, highlighted by Beaver Stadium, one of the largest stadiums in the country and the heart of Nittany Lion football. With a $700 million renovation transforming the stadium into a modern, premier destination, Penn State is elevating the fan experience through enhanced premium seating, luxury suites, clubs, concessions, and upgraded amenities while preserving the traditions that make Happy Valley special.

The Vice President of Hospitality plays a critical role in delivering an exceptional experience across all food and beverage operations, premium hospitality spaces, and game-day services. This position leads operational excellence, financial performance, team development, and strategic partnerships with Penn State Athletics, ensuring every guest experience reflects the university’s rich tradition and commitment to excellence.

• Ensure legal, efficient, professional, and profitable operation of the assigned venues.
• Establish and maintain a strong relationship with all parties, both the client and internal stakeholders.
• Generate and review financial reports, including budgets, projections, forecasting, revenue analysis, disbursements, capital investments, labor and product costs, wage and salary control, and P&L financial statements.
• Final decision-maker on equipment purchases and leases.
• Conflict resolution; last-resort mediation; arbitration and labor negotiations, when applicable.
• Author, review, and amend policies & procedures, as required.
• Author and amend contracts; authorize terms.
• Oversee scheduling and labor allocation.
• Analyze ticket sales in relation to anticipating staffing needs and target market demographics; determine and project point-of-sale to guest ratio.
• Evaluate recent historical sales and purchasing data for the purpose of identifying purchasing patterns and the accurate cost of goods.
• Program and maintain the point of sale system to ensure accurate financial reporting, tracking of accountability, and commodity levels by location.
• Directs and assists managers in preparing and attaining future goals.
• Provides each manager with the proper direction and follows up on all assignments.
• Inspects the operation on a regular basis to ensure that the established quality standards are maintained.
• Prepares required reports accurately and submits them on time; follows up with department heads to ensure that their reporting is completed within the same guidelines.
• Develops an effective management team.
• Gives the managers clear direction and provides the necessary assistance for them to perform their work.
• Evaluates each manager’s performance and makes recommendations for their improvement.
• Reviews and assists in the development of menus and marketing plans with the appropriate department heads.
• Establishes and maintains personal relationships with show managers, suppliers, vendors, and the public that projects the venue in a positive light.
• Builds thorough working knowledge of all existing concessions and premium services locations: geographical location, equipment, evacuation procedures, adjacent employee and guest areas, and facility access.

• MBA preferred; BA or BS with a business-related major required. Accounting minor or credits preferred.
• 10+ years of management experience in the food-related or concessions industry.
• Nationally recognized, advanced food service sanitation training course certification.
• Ability to communicate with employees, co-workers, volunteers, management staff, and guests in a clear, professional, and courteous manner that fosters a positive, enthusiastic, and cooperative work environment.
• Ability to make sound business/operations decisions quickly and under pressure.
• Solid working knowledge of computer applications: Microsoft Office, POS systems, and timekeeping systems.
• Ability to work well in a team-oriented, fast-paced, event-driven environment.
• Possess a valid Food Handlers certificate and Alcohol Service Permit if required by state or local government.
• Possess thorough working knowledge of all applicable sanitation requirements, food preparation guidelines, alcohol service policies, safety standards, etc. pertaining to Oak View Group and venue concession and premium services operations.
• Ability to calculate basic and complex math functions (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, percentages).
• Ability to handle cash accurately and responsibly.
• Ability to consistently adhere to the highest standards of integrity, professionalism, ethics, and confidentiality.
• Ability to work independently with little direction.
• Experience working in a union environment required.
• Experience in a fast-paced ballpark or stadium preferred.

At OVG, we understand that to continue positively disrupting the sports and live entertainment industry, we need a diverse team to help us do it. We also believe that inclusivity drives innovation, strengthens our people, improves our service, and raises our excellence. Our success is rooted in creating environments that reflect and celebrate the diverse communities in which we operate and serve, and this is the reason we are committed to amplifying voices from all different backgrounds.

Oak View Group is committed to equal employment opportunity. We will not discriminate against employees or applicants for employment on any legally recognized basis (“protected class”) including, but not limited to veteran status, uniform service member status, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information or any other protected class under federal, state, or local law.