Operations Manager

International Association of Venue Managers; Iowa City (IA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Hancher Auditorium at the University of Iowa seeks a 100% full-time Operations Manager to coordinate events, oversee building operations, and create a welcoming experience for patrons, clients, artists, and campus partners.

This role requires a bachelor's degree in technical theatre or stage management (or equivalent) and at least 2 years of event planning/management. Night/weekend work is expected in Iowa City venues.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in technical theatre or stage management, or equivalent event management experience.
• Minimum 2 years of event planning/management.
• Ability to work nights and weekends based on event schedule in Iowa City venues.
• Able to lift furniture/equipment around 50 pounds.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and Adobe platforms.
• Keeps event files organized and coordinates multiple events simultaneously.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate information for rental events, create estimates and agreements.
• Schedule planning meetings with clients and ensure teams are informed.
• Provide operational support for planning special events and festivals.
• Supervise hourly staff and custodial supervisor, guiding and coaching as needed.
• Ensure excellent patron experience and collaboration with campus/community partners.

Skills

Event planning

Personnel supervision

Verbal and written communication

Microsoft Office

Adobe platforms

Budgeting and scheduling

Education

Bachelor's degree in technical theatre or stage management

Event management experience

Tools

Microsoft Office

Adobe

Momentus Elite software

Job description

Hancher Auditorium is seeking to hire a 100% full-time Operations Manager.

Join the team behind the experiences that make Hancher Auditorium 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 Auditorium 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.
• And more!

About the Department:

Hancher Auditorium 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.
• Should be able to lift various furniture and equipment that weigh around 50 pounds.
• Demonstrates an extensive proficiency level of verbal and written communication skills
• 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.

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

Compensation: Anticipated salary will be $60,000 – $65,000 with Competitive Benefits

Reach out to Monica Frank ([e-mail]) 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.