Director of Venue Operations-Marquee Arts

Job Description

Job Description

Marquee Arts is a Michigan based non-profit organization committed to keeping community inspiration alive through the preservation and programming of historic theaters. Curators of film, theater and live entertainment, we proudly oversee the operations, upkeep, and artistic direction of the Michigan and State theaters in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Marquee Arts is the founding entity for Michigan's Cinetopia Film Festival and curator of the Not Just For Kids performance series. Rooted in Michigan's artistic history, the organization is committed to producing state of the art creative programming, unparalleled in diversity, quality and scope.

Marquee Arts is seeking a highly skilled and hands-on Director of Venue Operations to lead and run a high-performing, financially disciplined operation while delivering an exceptional experience for patrons and artists.

The Director of Venue Operations is responsible for the day-to-day leadership and execution of all operational functions across Marquee Arts' venues. This individual is an experienced venue operator and live entertainment professional with a proven ability to run a high-performing, financially disciplined operation while delivering an exceptional experience for patrons and artists.

 

A critical component of this role is developing and growing Marquee Arts' live performance programming. The Director will bring deep knowledge of the live entertainment industry, talent buying, artist routing, deal structures, and season development, and will be responsible for identifying, procuring, negotiating, and booking a compelling and financially sustainable season of live performances for the Michigan Theater Main Auditorium and the Smokler Stage.

 

Essential Functions

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Live Performance Programming & Presenter Strategy

• Lead the development and execution of Marquee Arts' live performance season, creating a diverse, compelling, mission-aligned, and financially sustainable calendar of performances.
• Procure and book live performance for the Michigan Theater Main Auditorium (approximately 1,600 seats) and the Smokler Stage (approximately 175 seats).
• Identify artists, performers, speakers, comedians, musicians, touring productions, and other live entertainment appropriate for each venue and audience.
• Maintain and grow relationships with talent agencies, agents, artist managers, promoters, producers, and other industry partners.
• Evaluate artist availability, touring patterns, routing opportunities, market demand, competitive activity, and historical sales performance when making booking decisions.
• Develop a balanced season that strategically utilizes both the Michigan Theater Main Auditorium and Smokler Stage, matching artists and programming to the appropriate room and audience.
• Negotiate artist offers, guarantees, percentages, deal structures, expenses, and other contractual terms in collaboration with the CEO.
• Develop preliminary show budgets and financial projections before offers are made, including anticipated ticket revenue, artist costs, production expenses, labor, marketing, hospitality, ticketing, and other event-related expenses.
• Establish ticket pricing strategies and revenue assumptions in collaboration with the CEO and Marketing team.
• Evaluate the financial performance and audience development potential of prospective bookings.
• Track performance of booked events against projections and use results to inform future programming decisions.
• Identify opportunities to develop repeatable programming, series, residencies, partnerships, and other live entertainment concepts that strengthen Marquee Arts' presenting identity.
• Collaborate closely with Marketing, Technical Production, Events, Box Office, and other departments to successfully move each booking from contract through on-sale and day-of-show execution.
• Help establish Marquee Arts and the Michigan Theater as a competitive and respected destination for touring artists and live entertainment.

Venue Operations & Execution

• Lead all front-of-house, event operations, and day-of-show execution
• Ensure seamless execution of all events, screenings, and performances
• Maintain high standards for cleanliness, safety, and presentation

Financial Oversight & Budget Discipline

• Own and manage operational budgets
• Control labor costs through strategic staffing
• Partner on forecasting and profitability
• Grow Food and Beverage sales

Team Leadership & Culture

• Lead, coach, and develop staff
• Build a culture of accountability and hospitality
• Oversee hiring and training

Patron Experience Focus

• Champion a patron-first approach
• Resolve issues in real time
• Elevate overall guest experience

 

Supervisory Responsibility This position has supervisory responsibility of the Theater Managers, Events Managers and Box Office.

 

Work Environment The work is primarily indoors within a theater building(s) and may have some exposure to fumes, odor, dust, etc. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to loud.

 

Physical Demands While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. This role requires walking and standing for extended periods of time. This role also regularly requires reaching, standing, walking, bending, kneeling, stooping, crouching, crawling, and climbing stairs. Extended computer use is required. The employee will regularly lift, push, pull and/or move items that weigh up to 50 pounds.

 

Required Education and Experience

• Minimum of five years of experience in venue operations, live entertainment, performing arts presenting, concert promotion, talent buying, or a closely related field.
• Demonstrated experience procuring, negotiating, and booking live performances for professional entertainment venues.
• Deep knowledge of the live entertainment industry, including talent agencies, artist representation, touring and routing practices, artist offers, contracts, guarantees, percentage deals, settlements, and industry-standard booking practices.
• Demonstrated ability to build and execute a season of live performances that balances artistic quality, audience development, mission, market demand, and financial performance.
• Established relationships within the live entertainment industry, including agents, managers, promoters, producers, and other booking partners.
• Ability to identify and secure programming appropriate for both the 1,600-seat Michigan Theater Main Auditorium and the 175-seat Smokler Stage, recognizing the different programming, audience, and financial strategies required for each room.
• Strong financial and budget management skills, including experience developing show budgets, forecasting ticket revenue, evaluating deal economics, and assessing event profitability.
• Strong contract negotiation skills and demonstrated ability to evaluate financial risk before committing to an artist or production.
• Leadership experience in fast-paced entertainment or hospitality environments.
• Excellent organizational and project management skills with exceptional attention to detail.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Calm, confident leadership in high-pressure environments.
• Strategic, solutions-oriented thinker with a hands-on approach.
• Commitment to exceptional service for audiences, artists, agents, partners, and colleagues.
• Enthusiastic team builder and collaborator.

 

Preferred Education and Experience Passionate about the performing arts, venue management, and the vitality of historic spaces.

Compensation & Benefits:

• The salary range is $75,000 to $95,000 annually.
• Benefits Include: Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance, Company Paid Life/AD&D and Long-Term Disability Insurance, 401(k) Retirement Plan with Company Match, Paid Time-Off Package, Employee Assistance Program, Parking Reimbursement Program, Free Movie Admission and Concessions Discount