Overview /Objective:

The Sr. Director of Fields, Field Research and Stadium Projects will lead and be on-site for all neutral site games to oversee all field-related planning and will liaise with member clubs to maintain high standards of excellence of field surface. This individual will lead all surface research, whether natural or synthetic, manage consultant experts as well as direct engagement with manufacturers, other sports leagues and the 32 clubs. In addition, this individual will collaborate on internal processes, project management, stadium and game day preparations, and issue tracking/reporting.  

Responsibilities:

Field Research Workstreams and Committees

• Liaise with Health & Safety, as well as 3^rd party consultants, on improved testing/tracking options and protocols
• Oversee NFL-NFLPA Joint Mandatory Practices for fields/playing surfaces and liaise with Management Council on updates/modifications
• Joint Surface Committee research and support 
• Lead team responsible for overseeing and executing field maintenance plans during Halftime rehearsals at Super Bowl 

International & Neutral Site Games

• Lead field surface project plans for practice and game fields for all Neutral Site Games (International Series, Pro Bowl, Super Bowl, etc.) to ensure consistency across all games. 
• Procure and facilitate storage of all necessary equipment and tools for field preparation (e.g., paint machines, blowers, mowers, grow lights, field and bench area tarps, grow blankets, etc.)
• Maintain and manage field equipment warehouse inventory and shipping for all neutral site and international games
• Oversee League-hired grounds crew for all Neutral Site Games including scheduling, communications, onboarding paperwork, travel, housing, etc. 
• Oversee budget for all field projects
• Identify, source and oversee any ancillary support required (e.g., fertilizer, sand, specialty equipment).
• Lead efforts with Sod Farms for all neutral site games

Stadium Operations & Game Day Support

• Primary responsibility for sharing turf/field research with clubs to aid them in field selection, replacement, preparation etc. This includes practice surfaces as well
• Part of a team that Liaises with 32 Club Field mangers to ensure day-to-day compliance with field policies & best practices 
• Visit and review all new field installs, field issues/concerns, oversee compliance with NFL-NFLPA CBA/Joint Mandatory Practices
• Advise Clubs that have new stadium projects and/or renovation plans on field surfaces, best practices, field dimensions, etc. and conduct on-site walkthroughs during construction phases to ensure construction details comply with the renderings
• Review and edit relevant sections of the Game Ops manual.
• Attend periodic in-person meetings, including the Combine, Field Managers meeting, etc.

Required Qualifications:

• BA or BS required; 
• Minimum of 10-15 years of experience with field surfaces (natural or synthetic) and maintenance with proven success
• Strong organizational skills that reflect ability to perform and prioritize multiple tasks with excellent attention to detail
• Strong understanding of stadium, field operations, and policies of the National Football League
• Professional level written and verbal communication skills
• Very strong computer skills including: Excel, Word, and PowerPoint and other data visualization tools

Preferred Qualifications: 

• Experience working with stadium operations, field operations and related-equipment
• Project management skills preferability with major facility, stadium renovations, or other field-related projects

Other Key Attributes / Characteristics:

• Strong attention to detail
• Ability to concisely convey subject matter to senior leadership 
• Building and maintaining relationships
• Problem-solver

Physical Demands:

• May be required to work in the outdoor elements during games and travel
• May be required to lift/move boxes (up to 25 pounds) 

Travel:

• Travel requirements: 75%

Salary / Pay Range
This job posting contains a pay range, which represents the range of salaries or hourly rates that the NFL believes, in good faith, at the time of this posting that it might be willing to pay for the posted job in the location(s) specified. The NFL expects to hire for this position near the middle of the range. Only in truly rare and exceptional circumstances, where an external candidate has experience, credentials or expertise that far exceed those required or expected for the position, would the NFL consider paying a salary or rate near the higher end of the range.