Operations Manager

The University of Iowa; Iowa City (IA); On-site; USD 54,000 - 66,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Life insurance

Retirement plans

Generous leave policy

Tuition assistance

Leadership development

Well-being resources

Job summary

The University of Iowa’s Hancher Auditorium is hiring a full-time Operations Manager to coordinate events, oversee building operations, and ensure a welcoming experience for patrons and partners. This onsite role requires strong organizational skills and a service orientation to bring every detail together for successful performances.

You will supervise staff, work with departments, and support a busy events calendar, including university and community engagements, while benefiting from benefits

Qualifications

• Communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Strong organizational and coordination abilities.
• Experience planning and managing events in a performing arts or university setting.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate events and rental processes, create estimates and agreements.
• Provide operational support for special events and multi-venue productions.
• Supervise hourly staff and custodial supervisor to ensure smooth execution.

Skills

Verbal and written communication

Organizational skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in technical theatre or stage management

Event management experience

Tools

Microsoft Office

Adobe platforms

Momentus Elite software

Sound systems knowledge

Job description

Hancher Auditorium and the Office of Performing Arts & Engagement is seeking to hire a 100% full-time Operations Manager.

Join the team behind the experiences that make Hancher special. Hancher Auditorium is the performing arts center at the University of Iowa, serving as center for performances, university and community events, and campus-wide creative engagement.

Our Operations Manager plays a vital role in coordinating events, overseeing building operations, and creating a welcoming experience for patrons, clients, artists, and campus and community partners. We’re looking for a highly organized, service-oriented professional who enjoys variety, collaboration, and making sure every detail comes together beautifully.

In this role, you’ll have the opportunity to:

• Take in information for potential rental events, create and execute estimates and agreements, schedule planning meetings with clients, ensure all teams are informed of details for scheduling support and execution of events.
• Provide operational support in the planning of special events presented by Hancher and the Office of Performing Arts and Engagement. Special events might include multidisciplinary, multivenue festivals like Infinite Dream and Stop/Time and outdoor shows like the annual Fall Welcome Concert
• Serve as functional supervisor for hourly staff by providing direction, assignments, feedback, coaching and counseling to assure achievement of outcomes.
• Directly supervise custodial supervisor.

About the Department: Hancher is a university arts presenter, initially launched in 1972 and now based in a facility that opened in 2016. As a central element of the performing arts campus, Hancher presents a range of contemporary and traditional performances every year, connects students with visiting artists, hosts many university and community events, and serves as a beacon for creativity at the University of Iowa.

Required Qualifications:

A bachelor’s degree in technical theatre or stage management, or equivalent combination of event management experience

Demonstrates minimum 2 years Event Planning/Management.

Ability to work several nights and weekends based on event schedule, including in venues in the Iowa City area.

Ability to move various furniture and equipment that weigh around 50 pounds.

Communication skills, both verbal and written.

Microsoft Office and Adobe platforms.

Must be able to keep event files organized and coordinate multiple events all at once.

Desirable Qualifications:

Supervisory experience of a staff of 50 or more (can include volunteers, interns, students, and professional staff)

Experience working with patrons in a performing arts venue, preferably in a college or university setting.

Experience/knowledge of small sound systems and other production systems.

Experience with Momentus Elite software.

To Apply:

To be eligible for consideration, applicants must complete BOTH of the following documents and mark them as a “relevant file” to the submission:

Job openings are posted for a minimum of 7 calendar days and may be removed from posting and filled any time after the original posting period has ended. Successful candidates will be required to self-disclose any conviction history and will be subject to a criminal background check and credential/education verification. Up to 5 professional references will be requested at a later step in the process.

Work Modality: This position is onsite at Hancher Auditorium

Reach out to Monica Frank to learn more about benefits, compensation practices, and career development opportunities.

Joining the University of Iowa means becoming a vital part of the Hawkeye community, where your work directly impacts education, research, and student success.

Enjoy exceptional health coverage, university-paid life insurance, robust retirement plans, and generous leave policies. Benefit from 24/7 support services, well-being resources, and access to UI Health Care specialists. Grow professionally with advanced training, leadership development, and tuition assistance.

Iowa City offers a great quality of life with world-class performances at Hancher Auditorium, Big Ten athletics, top-ranked public schools, and outdoor recreation.

Join us in making a difference at a leading Big Ten university and premier public research institution.

Additional Information

• Appointment Type: Professional and Scientific
• Schedule: Full-time
• Work Modality Options: On Campus

Compensation

• Starting Salary Minimum: 60,000

Contact Information

Equal opportunity employer

The University of Iowa is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment free from discrimination on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, pregnancy (including childbirth and related conditions), disability, genetic information, status as a U.S. veteran, service in the U.S. military, sexual orientation, or associational preferences.

Persons with disabilities who need assistance or accommodations with the application or interview process may contact University Human Resources/Faculty and Staff Disability Services, [phone] or [e-mail] . For jobs in UI Health care, please contact UI Health care Leave & Disability Administration at 319-356-7543 .