Director of Operations – Cain Center Arts

Director of Operations – Cain Center for the Arts

DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS
Full-Time, Exempt

Location:

Cornelius, NC (On-site)
Salary Range: $90,000–$105,000, commensurate with experience
Apply HERE .

Cain Center for the Arts is a multidisciplinary arts organization serving the Lake Norman region with a mission to provide exceptional visual arts, performing arts, and community experiences. Cain Center operates a growing multi-venue campus including Cain Center for the Arts, Goodrum House, and Puckett Pottery House. The organization presents professional performances, offers a wide range of arts education programs, produces visual arts exhibitions, and partners with the community to expand access to the arts.

As Cain Center continues to expand, the organization is focused on building strong operational systems, clear leadership alignment, and sustainable infrastructure to support long-term growth.

Cain Center is seeking a Director of Operations to serve as a senior leader responsible for the overall performance, alignment, and continuous improvement of operations across the organization’s multi-venue environment. This role is accountable for the success of operations across the organization—not for directly executing the work of individual departments. The Director of Operations leads through a team of experienced managers and directors who are responsible for execution within their areas, ensuring that their work is strategically aligned, well-coordinated, and consistently delivered at a high level.

The Director of Operations serves as the organization’s central operational integrator, aligning people, systems, and resources to support:

• Performing arts programming
• Education and community programs
• Rentals and external partnerships
• Patron and guest experiences

The ideal candidate brings a strong understanding of best practices in operating multidisciplinary arts organizations and facilities, and is able to apply that knowledge to strengthen systems, improve alignment, and support continued growth.

Reports to:

Executive Director

• Facilities Manager (and building services team)
• Technical Director (and production staff)
• Patron Services Manager (and front-of-house team)
• Food & Beverage Manager

The Director of Operations leads a team of functional managers responsible for execution across facilities, production, patron services, food & beverage, and volunteer engagement.

Success in this role requires the ability to:

• Lead through clarity of direction rather than direct execution
• Set goals and expectations that align team performance with organizational priorities
• Develop and support team leaders while holding them accountable for outcomes
• Ensure strong coordination across functions to deliver seamless programs and events
• Reinforce Cain Center’s culture of being hungry, humble, and smart

• Lead the overall operational performance of the organization across all venues
• Set clear priorities, goals, and standards for operational departments
• Ensure alignment of execution with organizational strategy, culture, and expectations
• Provide direction and support to department leaders while maintaining accountability for results
• Identify gaps, reduce friction, and improve coordination across teams
• Ensure initiatives and projects are clearly defined, properly resourced, and executed with follow-through

• Oversee all facility operations across Cain Center for the Arts, Goodrum House, and Puckett Pottery House
• Ensure strong performance in custodial, maintenance, and groundskeeping functions
• Maintain safe, clean, and fully operational environments
• Manage vendor relationships and service contracts
• Support preventative maintenance, capital improvements, and long-term facility planning
• Ensure compliance with safety standards, codes, and regulations

• Ensure staff have access to effective tools, systems, and infrastructure
• Oversee operational technology and equipment lifecycle
• Partner with outsourced providers to manage IT and building systems
• Maintain…