Chief Operating Officer

View open positions at: Celebration Cinema, One Twenty Three Tavern, and Midtown.

Position: Chief Operating Officer

Location: 2121 Celebration Dr. NE

Grand Rapids, MI

Job Id: 664

# of Openings: 1

Chief Operating Officer

For over 80 years, Studio C / Celebration Cinema has been where West Michigan gathers to celebrate story on the big screen. What began as a single-screen theater has grown into a beloved, family-founded entertainment brand offering movies, music, dining, and shared experiences across 10 locations. We're looking for a Chief Operating Officer to join us at our Grand Rapids corporate office, reporting to our CEO. Relocation will be considered for the right candidate.

Help Us Build the Most Loved Entertainment Experience in the Country. We're on a mission to deliver a world-class entertainment experience, the kind that makes people say, "I can't wait to come back." To get there, we're looking for a Chief Operating Officer who can turn vision into reality, align teams around excellence, and lead with both heart and discipline.

This is a true partnership role. You'll work side-by-side with our CEO, not just executing a strategy but helping shape it, and you'll be the one who translates that shared vision into daily reality across every location.

What You'll Lead

As our COO, you will be the operational engine behind a $70 million, 10-location entertainment organization. You'll shape the guest experience, elevate performance, and ensure that every team member, from executives to front-line staff, feels connected to our mission and values: Service. Trust. Empathy. Playfulness. Courage.

This role is for someone who loves the thrill of building something exceptional and believes that great operations are a form of art.

Core Responsibilities

• Bring vision to life. Partner closely with the CEO to define, communicate, and execute a bold vision for a world-class entertainment experience. Turn ideas into systems, systems into habits, and habits into magic.
• Own the P&L of a $70 million multi-site operation. Oversee financial performance across 10 locations, ensuring we hit targets while investing smartly in people, technology, and guest experience. Know the numbers, and the story behind them.
• Lead, manage, and hold accountable a high-performing team. Coach leaders, build clarity, and create a rhythm of accountability that drives results. Ensure the right people are in the right seats, rowing in the same direction.
• Shape a culture where people are proud to belong. Set the tone for a culture rooted in our values. Model them, celebrate them, and weave them into every decision, interaction, and process.

Who Thrives at Studio C?

• You love building systems that scale.
• You are energized by leading people.
• You’re as comfortable in the boardroom as you are walking a theater floor.
• You believe culture is a strategic advantage, not a poster on the wall.
• You’re calm under pressure and courageous in ambiguity.
• You’re obsessed with creating unforgettable guest experiences.
• You build genuine trust and rapport quickly with your CEO, your leadership team, and front-line staff alike.

What You Bring

• Senior leadership experience in a multi-unit operation (family entertainment, restaurant, hospitality, retail, or similar).
• Proven success managing a P&L on a similar scale.
• A track record of building high-performing teams.
• A leadership style that blends accountability with empathy.
• A genuine love for innovation, continuous improvement, and operational excellence.
• Experience leading a multi-location operation.
• Food and beverage operations experience is welcomed.

Why Join Us

• Because you want to build something that matters.
• Because you want to lead a team that cares deeply about people and the community.
• Because you want to shape the future of entertainment, not just manage the present.
• Because you want a true partnership with leadership, not just a seat at the table.
• Did we mention free movies?

We offer a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, life, and short- and long-term disability insurance, 401(k), volunteer paid time off, and PTO, plus free movies and discounted concessions.

Studio C / Celebration Cinema is an Equal Opportunity Employer.