Esports Facility Manager

About Forge 417

Forge 417 is an innovative esports and entertainment destination in downtown Elyria, Ohio, designed to bring together competitive gaming, immersive VR experiences, golf simulation, tournaments, and community events under one roof. Our mission is to create a premier gaming and social experience for players of all skill levels.

Position Summary

Forge 417 is seeking an experienced, energetic, and highly organized Esports Facility Manager to oversee daily operations of a premier gaming and entertainment venue located in downtown Elyria, Ohio. The facility will feature approximately 70 high-end gaming stations, multiple VR rooms, golf simulator suites, and a dedicated tournament/event arena.

The Esports Facility Manager will be responsible for creating an exceptional guest experience while managing staff, technology operations, leagues and tournaments, memberships, events, and facility maintenance. This role combines hospitality, entertainment management, technology oversight, and community engagement.

Key Responsibilities

Facility Operations

• Oversee daily operation of the esports venue, gaming floor, VR rooms, golf simulator suites, and tournament arena.
• Ensure all gaming PCs, consoles, peripherals, VR equipment, and simulators are fully operational and maintained.
• Coordinate with IT vendors and technicians for troubleshooting, upgrades, and preventative maintenance.
• Monitor cleanliness, safety, and overall appearance of the facility.
• Manage opening and closing procedures, cash handling, and security protocols.

Staff Management

• Recruit, train, schedule, and supervise front desk staff, event staff, technicians, and attendants.
• Foster a positive, team-oriented culture focused on customer service and professionalism.
• Conduct employee coaching, performance reviews, and ongoing training.
• Ensure proper staffing coverage during peak hours, tournaments, and special events.

Tournament & Event Management

• Organize and oversee esports tournaments, leagues, LAN events, watch parties, and community gaming events.
• Coordinate tournament logistics including scheduling, registrations, streaming support, and bracket management.
• Work with schools, colleges, esports teams, sponsors, and community organizations to host events.
• Assist with corporate bookings, private parties, birthday events, and team-building activities.

Guest Experience

• Deliver a high-quality customer experience for casual gamers, competitive players, and event attendees.
• Resolve customer concerns professionally and efficiently.
• Build community engagement and encourage memberships and repeat visits.
• Ensure guests understand facility rules, tournament procedures, and equipment usage.

Business & Administrative Duties

• Assist ownership with budgeting, inventory management, and operational reporting.
• Track memberships, event participation, sales, and facility usage metrics.
• Manage inventory of gaming peripherals, snacks, beverages, merchandise, and supplies.
• Support marketing initiatives, promotions, social media engagement, and local partnerships.

Qualifications

• Previous management experience in esports, entertainment, hospitality, gaming centers, or event venues preferred.
• Strong understanding of PC gaming, esports titles, streaming platforms, and gaming hardware.
• Experience organizing tournaments or large-scale events preferred.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and customer service skills.
• Ability to multitask in a fast-paced entertainment environment.
• Basic technical troubleshooting knowledge for PCs, consoles, networking, and AV systems.
• Experience with POS systems, scheduling software, and event management tools is a plus.
• Ability to work evenings, weekends, and holidays as required by event schedules.

Preferred Skills

• Knowledge of popular esports titles such as Valorant, League of Legends, Fortnite, Rocket League, Call of Duty, and Smash Bros.
• Familiarity with Twitch streaming, Discord communities, and tournament software platforms.
• Experience with VR systems and simulator technologies.
• Marketing and community-building experience.
• CPR/First Aid certification is a plus.

Compensation & Benefits

• Competitive salary based on experience.
• Performance bonuses and event incentives.
• Opportunities for advancement within a growing entertainment brand.
• Gaming and facility usage perks.
• Flexible scheduling opportunities.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods.
• Ability to lift and move equipment up to 50 pounds.
• Comfortable working in a high-energy, loud entertainment environment.

Benefits:

• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off

Work Location: In person