Associate Vice President of Operations (Year-Round)

The Associate Vice President of Operations leads Interlochen's revenue generating operations and key campus services, including Lodging, Retail, Dining, Campus Safety and Transportation. Overseeing a $5M+ operational portfolio, the AVP Operations is accountable for financial performance, service excellence, operational efficiency, risk management, and the effective deployment of Interlochen resources. This leader will modernize business practices, strengthen management systems, leverage technology and automation, and develop scalable operating models that balance financial sustainability with the needs of a dynamic, year-round educational and artistic community. Serving as a key operational partner to the Chief Financial and Operating Officer, the AVP Operations translates Interlochen priorities into coordinated departmental plans, resolves cross-functional challenges, and ensures effective execution of strategic initiatives. Through proactive leadership, operational discipline, and collaboration across the institution, the AVP Operations ensures campus operations are safe, responsive, financially responsible, and positioned to support Interlochen's continued growth and mission.

Financial Performance and Business Development

• Own P&L for lodging, retail, and dining, optimizing revenue, contribution margins, and cost structures.
• Set targets, manage budgets, forecast accurately, and report KPIs to senior leadership monthly.
• Identify new revenue streams, including group sales, conferences, off season use, and e-commerce.
• Partner with Marketing and campus leaders on integrated sales and branding strategies.

Operational Excellence, Automation, and Cost Efficiency

• Lead process improvement, technology adoption, and automation across operations to reduce costs, improve productivity, and enhance service delivery.
• Establish measurable performance targets and dashboards to monitor productivity, unit costs, operational efficiency, and return on investment.
• Design scalable staffing and operational models for peak summer demand and academic year baselines.
• Pursue vendor consolidation, coordinated purchasing, and shared services to maximize cost efficiency.

Campus Services, Safety, and Risk Management

• Provide executive oversight of campus safety, emergency preparedness and transportation, ensuring effective operational leadership, regulatory compliance, and organizational readiness.
• Establish clear operating standards, approval processes, accountability structures, and escalation protocols to support safe, consistent, and coordinated campus operations.
• Partner with Interlochen leadership to identify, assess, and mitigate operational risks, ensuring appropriate preparedness, training, and response capabilities.
• Collaborate with Facilities, Education, and other campus stakeholders to ensure operational planning supports student safety, campus accessibility, and Interlochen priorities.

Hospitality, Dining, and Customer Experience

• Maintain exceptional service, quality, and safety standards across lodging, dining, and retail operations.
• Lead guest experience during high profile events, camp sessions, move in periods, and performances.

Leadership and Organizational Effectiveness

• Establish clear decision rights, accountability, approval processes, and escalation protocols to ensure effective coordination and timely resolution of operational issues across departments.
• Develop and hold department leaders accountable while evaluating organizational structures, management capacity, and succession needs to ensure effective operations and future readiness.
• Develop workforce plans for seasonal recruitment, retention, and training across a large hourly and seasonal workforce.

Keyword: Associate Vice President of Operations (Year-Round)
Required Experience:

Minimum qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and relevant leadership experience.
• Eight to ten years of progressively responsible leadership experience in complex, multi-department operations.
• Demonstrated accountability for significant operating budgets, financial performance, resource allocation, and operational outcomes.
• Experience leading managers and developing high-performing teams.
• Demonstrated success implementing operational improvements, technology solutions, and measurable cost efficiencies.
• Experience managing large hourly/seasonal workforces in mission driven or complex operational settings.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in higher education auxiliary services, hospitality, resort management, independent schools or other complex environments.
• Experience overseeing multiple service lines with competing operational demands.
• Demonstrated success leading organization transformation, process redesign, or business modernization.
• Advanced degree or relevant operational improvement certification.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to anticipate needs and address them proactively, use discretion, and make sound decisions independently.
• Ability to demonstrate respect for cultural, ethnic, spiritual, and linguistic diversity and values, including differences in personal goals, lifestyle choices, and family backgrounds and histories.
• Ability to work effectively in a high profile, fast paced environment with frequent interruptions and competing priorities while maintaining professional composure and a positive, productive work atmosphere.
• Knowledge of hospitality and auxiliary business economics, including pricing, unit costs, contribution margins, and return on investment.
• Skill in operational improvement, process redesign, technology adoption, and data-driven decision-making.
• Ability to develop leaders, establish accountability, exercise sound judgment, and drive organizational performance.
• Ability to balance financial sustainability, service excellence, Interlochen mission, and safety and youth protection obligations.
• Ability to build effective relationships and collaborate across academic, artistic, advancement, and operational teams.
• Ability to communicate effectively with frontline employees, senior leadership, trustees, and external stakeholders.

Application Materials Required:

• Resume
• Cover Letter

From: Interlochen Center for the Arts