Vice President of Operations

Tennessee Performing Arts Center

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Job Summary

Tennessee Performing Arts Center (TPAC) values staff diversity and actively encourages people from a variety of backgrounds with different experiences, perspectives, skills, and stories to advance our nonprofit mission and enrich our organizational culture.

TPAC is a nonprofit performing arts organization and cultural anchor providing enriching arts experiences for all ages, empowering lifelong arts education programs, artistic expression reflective of our community, arts connections for the local economy, and sustainable support for professional resident companies and local artists.

Objective

The VP of Operations provides leadership and strategic direction for the Operations department that is tasked with the planning and execution of performances and events in the facility. The ideal candidate will bring operational acumen to the entire organization with a focus on event excellence, fiscal responsibility, safety and security advocacy, exceptional patron and artistic experiences, and creative contributions to organizational growth initiatives.

This role is a member of the Senior Leadership team and responsible for the direction of the following areas: Security and Safety, Technical Services, Event Management, and Food and Beverage.

The VP of Operations shall create an atmosphere of service throughout the organization that promotes teamwork as employees work to achieve common goals that support the overall mission.

Job Responsibilities

Primary Responsibilities

• Ensures successful operational deliverables, with respect to execution of performances and events, patron safety, budget development and adherence, new revenue generation, staff retention, and fulfillment of organizational mission.
• Evaluates current procedures and establishes new and revised processes when appropriate to maximize resources, improve stakeholder experience, reduce cost, improve safety, and streamline operational functions.
• Conducts weekly review and evaluation of recent events for quality purposes and to proactively identify and plan for all upcoming activities.
• Responsible for continuous development of the TPAC’s Emergency Operations Plan with respect to industry best practices, legal precedent, and emerging safety concerns, as well as implementation of routine safety training for staff and volunteers. Leads emergency response and business continuity planning efforts.
• Works collaboratively with designated senior leadership responsible for ongoing Facilities and Building Operations as well as Guest Services to ensure seamless patron experience.
• Oversees and ensures show settlements are completed accurately and promptly.
• Directly responsible for the TPAC’s Covid 19 response, implementation protocols, and processes. Works directly with staff, key stakeholders, and incoming arts organizations to coordinate efforts and to ensure compliance with facility policies and guidelines. Stays current on state and local health authority recommendations and mandates as well as manages TPAC’s Covid Compliance Officer with respect to policy, protocol development, and implementation.
• Manages vendor relationships, sourcing competitive alternatives when needed.
• Develops and maintains the current relationship with the IATSE local, valet contractor, food and beverage, security over hire labor and, oversees the resolution of any disputes, and leads contract negotiations when they arise.
• Develops and maintains current relationship with the State of Tennessee’s General Services Department liaisons and their contractors, Jones Lang LaSalle facility management team and Walden Security.
• Develops and maintains positive working relationships with all departments. Represents Operations department as an engaged collaborative part of the senior leadership team in terms of strategic and artistic planning. Provides creative input, solutions, and ideas to meet the growth strategies of an evolving organization.
• Provides in-person leadership, supervision, and onsite support for the operations team on a regular basis for events, including those on nights, weekends, and holidays.
• Leads from a position of emotional intelligence and mentorship. Fosters a team-based culture focused on respect, communication, and collaboration.
• Develops processes to allow for work-life-balance, growth opportunities, professional development, cross training, team building among the operations team, with a focus on staff retention.
• Works with the Managing Director and the Senior Leadership team in setting and guiding the strategic direction of the organization.
• Provides strategic leadership for all aspects of production, security and safety, event management and food and beverage, as well as relationships with city and state agencies.
• Set goals, timelines, and deliverables for all activities within the purview of the position; propose and establish effective staffing structure, budgets, and employee development.
• Standardize and establish operations-wide policies, procedures and operation protocols that promote organization culture and vision.
• Works with the Chief Financial Officer to address relevant insurance claims brought before TPAC, including client and artist interactions with our venues that resulted in a claim.

The responsibilities listed above are not all inclusive. Other related duties may be assigned.

Qualifications

 Skills and Knowledge

Required

• A minimum of a four-year college degree in a related field or demonstrated experience in the management of a public entertainment facility, preferably a performing arts setting, with at least 10 years of managerial experience.
• An understanding of technical production (lighting/sound/staging/etc.), theatrical and event production, security & safety, food & beverage event management and coordination.
• Experience leading and managing a large team made up of direct and indirect reports, as well as employees under a collective bargaining agreement.
• Possess deep experience with negotiation and collective bargaining.
• A willingness to actively support the organization and the operations team with a hands-on-style and teamwork-driven mentality, demonstrated by the ability to work a flexible, event driven schedule.
• Thinking independently and critically, making competent and timely decisions in the best interest of all concerned while addressing TPAC, State and local laws, policies, and procedures.
• A creative problem-solver that presents practical solutions; able to design and explore systems and procedures to fit current and long-term needs or goals.
• Possesses a “can do” service attitude, consistently providing excellent customer service to every client, whether internal or external, while maintaining the highest level of professionalism.
• Uses intuitive communication and listening skills, including the ability to constructively resolve conflicts, while interacting with varying levels of staff, artists, vendors, and clients.
• Demonstrates strong leadership with emotional intelligence while working as a positive team member, fostering helpful and cooperative conduct with co-workers.
• Must be detail-oriented, organized, and able to multi-task under pressure with the ability to anticipate problems and implement corrective action.
• Demonstrates a proactive work ethic, showing a willingness to work safely and efficiently in a fast-paced, ever-changing environment.
• Highly motivated with the willingness to learn and work with others.

Highly Desired

• Spatial awareness and skills in crowd management.
• IAVM Venue Management School Graduate.
• Bilingual

 

Software and Services Used 

• Microsoft Office 365 programs with a strong Excel background and Adobe Acrobat.
• Training Provided: VenueOps, Tessitura, Concur, HelloSign, Visio, and ADP

Essential Functions and Working Conditions

The functions described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these functions. 

Frequent Functions

• Physical: Seeing, Hearing/Listening, Dexterity, Ascending/Descending Stairs, Standing/Being Stationary for long periods of time
• Mental: Understanding & writing simple written/verbal communications, Analysis/Problem Solving, Judgement/Decision Making, Spatial Awareness, Basic Math Skills
• Work Environment: Shift work, Works with others, Verbal Communication, Face to Face Contact

Occasional Functions

• Physical: Lifting/Moves/Transports 25 lbs., Pushing/Pulling, Bending/Stooping
• Work Environment: Ability to work outside in all weather conditions including seasonably hot or cold temperatures, Loud Environment, Working with flashing lights, Working in the dark, Remote work potential

Additional Information

Benefits

How to Apply

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

To be considered, candidates should submit a resume and cover letter to Denise Minatoya dminatoya@tpac.org and James Timm jtimm@tpac.org.

TPAC is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. All aspects of the employment process will be merit-based and applied without discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, age, disability, national or ethnic origin, military service status, citizenship, or other protected characteristic.

Details

• Date Posted: May 11, 2023
• Type: Full-Time
• Job Function: Other
• Service Area: Arts / Culture