Real Salt Lake (RSL) and Utah Royals FC are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Director of Grounds to lead the maintenance and management of our athletic fields and grounds. This key leadership position will oversee the upkeep of all grounds associated with the organization, including America First Field, Zions Bank Real Academy, and America First Field 2. The ideal candidate will bring over 10 years of experience in professional athletic grounds maintenance, including expertise in turf management, staff leadership, budget management, and facility operations.

This position requires a proactive leader who can ensure the highest standards of playing surfaces and grounds conditions, ensuring safety, performance, and aesthetic excellence for the teams, fans, and community. The Director will be responsible for maintaining the fields to professional standards for both soccer and other events, as well as managing a dedicated team and ensuring operational efficiencies.

Responsibilities Include:

Manage the upkeep and quality of all playing surfaces at America First Field, Zions Bank Real Academy, and America First Field 2, ensuring optimal conditions for professional soccer and other events.
Develop and execute seasonal turf management plans, including aeration, overseeding, fertilization, irrigation, pest control, and field construction to ensure high-quality playing surfaces year-round.
Coordinate field usage for practices, games, and events, ensuring that all fields are prepared and maintained to meet the needs of players and event schedules.
Lead, train, and supervise a team of groundskeepers, turf specialists, and seasonal staff, fostering a collaborative, high-performance team culture and ensuring ongoing staff development and safety.
Develop and manage the annual grounds maintenance budget, including procurement of supplies and equipment, while ensuring cost-effectiveness and adherence to financial guidelines.
Ensure proper functioning of irrigation, drainage systems, and all related infrastructure, regularly inspecting and maintaining field-related equipment to support high-quality playing surfaces.
Collaborate with internal departments (stadium operations, event planning, etc.) to synchronize field maintenance schedules with event needs and external scheduling requirements.
Regularly evaluate and recommend improvements to field conditions, addressing performance, safety, and aesthetic needs to enhance the playing experience.
Ensure compliance with all relevant league, industry, and safety regulations, conducting regular inspections of facilities, equipment, and staff adherence to safety protocols.
Analyze spending, track resource usage, and implement strategies to optimize operational costs while maintaining high standards of field quality and safety.
Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

Minimum of 10 years’ experience in professional athletic grounds maintenance, with a proven track record of managing large-scale grounds operations at a high-performance level
Experience managing budgets, including forecasting, expense tracking, and identifying cost-saving opportunities.
Extensive knowledge of turf management techniques, irrigation systems, field preparation, pest control, and sports turf technology.
Demonstrated experience leading teams, managing personnel, and ensuring a productive, efficient, and safe working environment.
Strong project management skills, with the ability to plan, organize, and execute long-term maintenance schedules while addressing day-to-day operational needs.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively with coaches, players, staff, vendors, and external partners.
Proficiency with field management software and related technology tools for scheduling, monitoring, and reporting.
Valid driver’s license and ability to operate grounds maintenance equipment safely and efficiently.

Preferred Qualifications:

Previous working experience working with Kentucky Bluegrass and HD Sport varieties.
Degree in Turf Management, Horticulture, Sports Field Management, or a related field.
Certification from the Sports Turf Managers Association (STMA) or a similar recognized body.
Experience with multi-use venues or facilities, including managing diverse event schedules and different types of sporting events.

Physical Requirements:

Ability to work outdoors in varying weather conditions.
Ability to lift and carry heavy objects (up to 50 lbs) and operate grounds maintenance equipment.
Must be available to work evenings, weekends, and holidays as required by the schedule of games and events.

Real Salt Lake provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request an accommodation.

Note: The need may arise to revise, supplement, or rescind portions of this job description, and Real Salt Lake reserves the right to do so at any time. Employees shall be required to meet the qualifications and perform the duties of any revised job description.

Director of Fields and Grounds