Consider a Career as a Skating Facility Manager

Skating facility management jobs require a mix of strong people skills and good business skills, along with an interest in skating, but not necessarily the fundamental skills of skating itself. This job is very demanding because running a roller rink or other skating facility for an off-site owner is not an easy job – even though it keeps you close to a skating surface. Rink managers, like coaches, need lots of patience, but they need it in a different way to manage employees and sooth customers.

• Developing, coordinating and promoting scheduled programs or working with a skating program director to develop activities.
• Planning procedures for sessions.
• Overseeing retail and concession operations.
• Recruiting, training, supervising and evaluating employees.
• Developing marketing and promotional programs that use as much available arena time as possible.
• Keeping up-to-date on consumer skating interests and related sports market trends.
• Maintaining community relations and customer satisfaction.
• Establishing, teaching and enforcing safety rules.
• Planning and supervising building repairs and maintenance.
• Building relationships with outside groups and organizations to develop their events and leagues.
• Collecting revenue, controlling expenses, maintaining financial records, producing reports and preparing budgets.

• Must have organizational, facility management and programming skills.
• A working knowledge of operations, scheduling, and maintenance procedures is needed.
• Accounting and clerical background is necessary.
• Some experience in coaching skating may be required at training facilities.
• Intermediate computer skills are required.
• Both oral and written communication skills are essential.

As you can see, the rink or facility manager is responsible for the supervision of all of the daily operations as well as the development of new customers and revenue opportunities. The manager also coordinates marketing the facility and its programs, supporting the staff, to provide good customer service and positive communications with all visitors. You might like this job because it keeps you near skating activities, but your main function will always be organizing the facility and everyone in it.

Subscribe to roller sports trade publications to take advantage of their classified ads. Get in touch with sports centers, schools and skating rinks near your area to find any jobs they may be offering. If you are professional and persistent, they will consider you when an opening is available. Take time to network with members of the various skating associations, because they may have information on management jobs in their areas of coverage.

Have you ever worked in an inline skating or roller sports related job? Share your skating employment story and tell us about the job you found, how you found it, what your job responsibilities were and whether you would recommend this type of employment to another skater.