Operations Manager - Ipswich

Greyhound Racing in Queensland has entered an exciting new phase in 2024 with the amalgamation of the Ipswich Greyhound Racing Club and Brisbane Greyhound Racing Club to form the Queensland Greyhound Racing Club (QGRC). In late 2024 the QGRC will commence transitioning its operations to The Q greyhound racing facility located in Yamanto south-west of Ipswich.

The Club promotes a family-friendly and balanced workplace, with flexibility in work patterns to suit your life commitments. The position is initially based in our Brisbane Office at Albion Park Raceway and will relocate to The Q during 2025. You will be required to work across our Brisbane and Ipswich venues.

We deliver in excess of 400 race meetings per annum with major racing carnival in summer and winter – but given our racing activity, we are pretty much on the go all the time.

The Operations Manager, Ipswich Greyhounds will initially manage the operations of the Ipswich Showgrounds racing venue and then transition into an equivalent level managerial position at The Q racing venue.

The Ipswich Showgrounds racing venue conducts four race meetings and two trial sessions weekly providing industry participants and the local community with quality racing facilities whilst ensuring maximum returns for the Club.

Developing strong working relationships with venue staff and industry participants, the Operations Manager is responsible for the development and management of the administrative, financial and racing operations of the venue.

Operational areas of responsibility:

• Racing
• Food and Beverage
• Track maintenance
• Facilities management
• Administration
• Wagering

Key Responsibilities

Management

• Responsible for the supervision, coordination, rostering and performance management of full-time, part-time and casual staff.
• Manage and coordinate racing operations, including ensuring the smooth operation of weekly race meetings in accordance with the Rules of Greyhound Racing and race-day procedural guidelines.
• Supervise and coordinate weekly trial sessions to ensure maximum returns to the Club whilst providing local industry participants with a quality service.
• Responsible for ensuring the facilities, grounds and racing resources are clean and well maintained to provide trouble free racing.
• Ensure that all compliance obligations of the venue are met.
• Liaise with existing venue sponsors to ensure obligations are delivered.
• Manage co-operative partner arrangements, including cross promotions, to improve the reach of greyhound racing in the general community.
• Manage the race night experience for stakeholders and patrons to ensure high levels of customer satisfaction.
• Management of on-site contractors.
• Key liaison point with the Ipswich Show Society.

Administration & Finance

• Ensure the various operational and administrative functions of the Club are completed on time and to a high standard, and to consider and develop best practices for optimal performance.
• Monitor, analyse and manage the financial operations of the Ipswich Showgrounds racing venue ensuring full compliance with Club policies and procedures.

Other

• Establish and maintain effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders to ensure expectations are met.
• Build and maintain effective and positive relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders in an environment where there are numerous opinions regarding club operations, track maintenance and safety performance.

Selection Criteria

• Sound understanding and evidence of application of the management of sporting events, particularly in the racing industry.
• Sound budget management experience, ability to analyse business performance and implement operational improvements.
• Demonstrated experience in managing a diverse range of staff.
• Strong project management skills, attention to detail and ability to manage conflicting priorities.
• Ability to analyse business requirements and propose innovative solutions.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to communicate effectively and work collaboratively with a diverse and complex range of stakeholders.
• Tertiary qualifications in a relevant discipline would be desirable.

Reports to: General Manager - Racing Operations

Supervises: Ipswich Greyhounds venue staff.

Hours of Work

This is a full-time salaried position. The Club operates outside of traditional business hours, including weekends and nights. To fulfill the requirements of this role, you must be willing and able to work when and where our events are happening. We have a flexible approach to ensuring our people can balance family life and personal commitments alongside the demands of the industry.

Remuneration

An attractive salary package will be negotiated with the successful applicant.