Vice President of Facilities and Operations

Department: Facilities and Operation

Reports to: President/CEO

Supervises:Production Department: Production Director, Event Services Manager; Hospitality Department: Hospitality Manager, and Housekeeping Department: Housekeeping, Security Manager

Status: Full-time, exempt, benefits eligible

Available: Immediately

Salary: Commensurate with experience

Learn how to apply >

The Ordway is widely recognized as one of the nation’s leading nonprofit performing arts centers and Saint Paul’s most elegant and inviting performance space. The Ordway’s Music Theater and McKnight stages attract diverse audiences with an array of productions showcasing the finest in American musical theater, world music, dance and vocal performance. Education and community engagement are integral to the Ordway’s mission, with major initiatives including the annual Flint Hills International Children’s Festival and Ordway Education programs that serve more than 50,000 students annually. The Ordway also serves as authorizer for the Saint Paul Conservatory for Performing Artists, a professionally guided academic and artistic environment that trains aspiring pre-professional performing artists. Together with The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, Minnesota Opera and The Schubert Club, the Ordway is a member of the Arts Partnership and serves as the principal venue for their performances. Within the next several years, the Ordway will be transforming its current McKnight Theatre and replacing it with an 1,100 seat, state-of-the-art concert hall.

The Vice President of Facilities and Operations is a key member of the Ordway’s senior management team. The Vice President of Facilities and Operations is responsible for leading all facility operations groups including: production, engineering, security, housekeeping, and house and hospitality departments of the venue. The Vice President of Facilities and Operations provides the strategic direction for all policies and procedures impacting the venue operation per the direction of the President and CEO and Board of Directors.  The Vice President of Facilities and Operations is the principal liaison with the Arts Partners for calendar and schedule of the venue.  The Vice President of Facilities and Operations serves as the principal lead on all physical changes to the venue including: remodel, construction and repair projects, and is responsible for managing all  budgets associated with such projects. The Vice President of Facilities and Operations  oversees facility rentals, and will be responsible for developing significant outside rental opportunities when the new concert hall comes on line.

Duties and Responsibilities

  • Lead and manage all operational teams within the venue on a daily basis by coaching, mentoring and guiding execution of results toward the mission and vision of the Ordway.
  • As a member of Ordway’s senior management team, provide strategic direction and leadership to support and further the Ordway’s mission.
  • Manage all operating budgets within the venue and ensure resources are assigned to achieve the mission of the Ordway.  
  • Define and implement standard operating procedures for all operations departments to support the strategic direction of the Ordway.
  • Collaborate with all internal departments to plan, coordinate and execute all events within the venue and ensure all events are successfully run from an operational perspective  
  • Collaborate and serve as the liasion for all resident Arts Partners and other community partner groups who regularly use the Ordway for programs and events.
  • Facilitate and manage all structural enhancements to the venue including ongoing venue maintenance and repair; long-term capital improvements; and the current $75 million project to build a new concert hall within the venue.
  • Represent the Ordway to many users of the venue, while establishing and maintaining local and national relationships with the following:
    • IAAM association for venue management
    • Ordway Circle of Stars to design, plan and execute major fundraising and development events
    • Ordway Board of Directors
    • Resident Arts Partners and other user  groups
  • Negotiate and administer all collective bargaining agreements and serves as the principlal liaison to all labor unions working with the Ordway, including IATSE and Building Engineers
  • Develop, maintain and nurture relationships with the Board of Directors through various Board committees, presentations to the Board and by identifying opportunities to engage the Board where needed.
  • Lead all operations departments by building a cohesive and collaborative team that cascades throughout every operations department.
  • Work with Human Resource Manager to resolve employee issues which arise over the course of the production season as a result of being responsible for over 250 full and part-time employees.
  • Develop a plan to maximize outside rental income and supervise the execution of that plan.
  • Perform other duties and responsibilities as required.  

Qualifications

Education
Bachelor’s degree required in theater management, arts administration or related field. A Master's Degree is highly desirable.

Experience
Ten (10) years management and leadership experience in an events venue, preferably within the arts. Experience working with labor unions required.  Management experience in building maintenance and automated systems preferred.

Skills, Knowledge, Ability
Excellent written and verbal communication skills required.  Knowledge of facility/theater operations and marketing required.  Demonstrated ability to motivate and lead a diverse work force required. The ability to work in potentially high stress situations required.  Demonstrated ability to build and maintain a successful team required. Knowledge of security procedures required.

Equipment Operated
Computer, calculator, copy machine, telephone.

Other
Must possess Minnesota driver’s license and working automobile.

Back to Employment