Sr Manager - Venues, SOA

Sr Manager - Venues, SOA

The Senior Venue Manager reports to the Director of Operations and provides senior-level leadership for venue-based technical operations supporting academic, presenting, university, and external events. The role is accountable for the overall readiness, safety and execution of technical operations across assigned venues, exercising independent judgement and advanced expertise in managing complex productions. The Senior Venue Manager provides direct supervision of the full-time Lighting Manager and Audio Supervisor and oversees production crews, systems and processes to ensure consistently high professional standards while supporting the instructional, artistic and presenting missions of the School of the Arts and the Noorda Center for the Performing Arts.

• Direct and oversee production crews during load‑ins, rehearsals, performances and strikes, ensuring adherence to professional standards, schedules and operational priorities; provide senior oversight of all technical assets within assigned venues, including lighting, sound, projection, communications systems, rigging, motors and stage facilities; assume responsibility for the execution and supervision of all rigging and motor operations in compliance with safety standards and best practices;
  
  provide expert guidance to theatrical designers, faculty and production teams regarding equipment capabilities, specifications and appropriate applications for academic, presenting and external events; establish, document and maintain standardised production procedures, venue workflows and event checklists aligned with institutional expectations.
• Provide strategic coordination of performance venue schedules in partnership with the Production Supervisor, encompassing rehearsals, performances, instructional use and pre‑ and post‑event operations; ensure venues are production‑ready and efficiently transitioned between events through proactive planning and oversight; provide direct supervision and performance management of the full‑time Lighting Manager and Audio Supervisor, and oversee the recruitment, hiring, assignment, training and evaluation of Event Production Support (EPS) crew, ensuring appropriate alignment of staffing resources with operational and academic needs;
  
  coordinate staffing plans and work calls across production shops in collaboration with the Director of Operations and shop supervisors; conduct performance evaluations and provide ongoing mentorship to student employees consistent with professional production standards.
• Provide on‑site leadership during production meetings, work calls, rehearsals and performances to ensure effective execution and technical consistency; serve as the primary venue‑level authority and point of coordination for academic productions, faculty‑led performances and visiting artists; oversee coordination with visiting production teams and company management to ensure alignment with institutional policies, venue capabilities and technical standards; lead the identification and resolution of production challenges through coordinated efforts across lighting, sound, scenic and stage operations;
  
  exercise judgement to address unforeseen technical or operational issues and implement appropriate solutions in collaboration with the Director of Operations.
• Maintain overall accountability for venue safety compliance, including developing, implementing and documenting safety programmes and training initiatives; ensure venues and work spaces meet institutional safety standards through regular review and proactive risk mitigation; provide leadership‑level training, supervision and mentorship for full‑time, part‑time and student employees in the safe and effective use of technical systems and equipment; oversee the condition, maintenance and repair of technical equipment across venues;
  
  plan and coordinate equipment replacement, upgrades and purchasing requests within approved budgets in collaboration with the Director of Operations and shop supervisors.
• Perform other job‑related duties as assigned.

• Bachelor's Degree in the arts, management…