Managing Director, Texas Performing Arts

Managing Director, Texas Performing Arts
About Texas Performing Arts
Texas Performing Arts at the University of Texas at Austin (TPA) is the nation's largest and most active university-based performing arts center by annual attendance, budget, and number of events. Both an anchor institution in Austin's arts landscape and a nationally significant presenter, TPA operates venues on the University of Texas at Austin campus, including Austin's largest theater, Bass Concert Hall. Its presenting includes Broadway in Austin; an international season of dance, theater, and music; and the Texas Welcomes series of national touring artists. Education is at the core of TPA's programs, which serve more than 30,000 K‑12 students and the 55,000 students of UT Austin.

http://texasperformingarts.org/

Purpose
The Managing Director is Texas Performing Arts "number two" leader. The position is responsible for implementing the Executive & Artistic Director's strategic vision by leading daily operations, providing financial management, and guiding the work of TPA's operational and administrative teams. The position works closely with colleagues across UT Austin and engages extensively with the university's centralized systems and policies.

Responsibilities

Internal Leadership:

Provide high‑level leadership to the heads of Business Operations, Guest Experience, Production, Fabrication & Academic Production, Human Resources, Facilities, and Event Management. Support these areas in understanding TPA's priorities, setting aligned goals for their areas, and meeting or exceeding those goals. Develop and implement strategies that align TPA's needs and ambitions with people, processes, and systems. Provide high‑level thinking in parallel with attention to detail. Lead organization‑wide, cross‑functional teams on key initiatives. Facilitate effective and timely interdepartmental coordination. Demonstrate authenticity, emotional intelligence, and effective communications to guide and motivate TPA's entire staff through clear and composed action.

External Leadership:

Build and sustain strong relationships with TPA's university and industry partners. Serve as a trusted and respected leader at the university and within the field. Participate in reporting to and planning with TPA's Leadership Board. Serve as a proxy for the Executive Director when needed and as a public face of the organization when assigned.

Fiscal Management:

Provide financial planning and management that sustains and increases TPA's fiscal health on both an annual and long‑term basis. Provide financial insight and analysis to the Executive Director and other senior leaders. Oversee the business operation team's budget development, management, and reporting. Supervise management of the balance sheet. Maintain and continuously enhance financial systems to meet the needs of all users. Develop a comprehensive knowledge of and ensure compliance with university financial policies and procedures.

Operations:

Create operational excellence, discipline, and coordination across the organization. Lead organizational operations to ensure the effectiveness of TPA's programs. Create and apply entrepreneurial and solution‑oriented approaches to carrying out TPA's programs within a complex business environment. Operationalize TPA's strategic and programmatic plans. Provide operational insight and analysis to the Executive Director and other senior leaders. Develop comprehensive knowledge of and ensure compliance with university operating policies and procedures.

Consistently advance Texas Performing Arts' goals of expansive and innovative programming, educational impact, and world‑class facilities & experiences across all defined responsibilities and other duties as assigned. This job description may not be inclusive of all assigned duties, responsibilities, or aspects of the job described.

Required Qualifications

At least ten years of increasingly responsible experience in the arts, entertainment, education, or not‑for‑profit sectors.

Demonstrated success utilizing administrative, financial, and operational skills to achieve impactful results in a mission‑driven organization.

Demonstrated ability to solve complex problems within standardized policies and procedures.

Demonstrated experience with an organizationally significant number of direct reports in different functional areas, including recruiting, developing, managing, and retaining high‑performing team members.

Demonstrated leadership presence that inspires others to achieve a shared vision through exceptional written and spoken communication skills; authenticity; confidence and composure; and emotional intelligence.

Preferred Qualifications

Fluency in the interrelated aspects of performing arts center operation, including programming, development, education & engagement, operations, ticketing, marketing & communications, guest experience, and production.

General manager, managing director, or COO/CFO experience in a performing arts center, performing arts organization, theatrical production, or live event organization.

Current understanding of the state of the performing arts and education sectors, including present and future opportunities and challenges.

Experience in a public or large‑scale organization such as an institution of higher education or municipally owned venue.

Familiarity with databases, dashboards, and reporting tools applicable to cash and accrual accounting systems.

Demonstrated fluency in the use of current technology and commitment to adopting new technology.

Strong interest in and passion for TPA's purpose, values, vision and programs.

Relevant professional education or credentials.

Salary Range
$150,000+ depending on qualifications and experience.

Working Conditions

This position is based in Austin, Texas and requires residence in the greater Austin area. The work location is 100% on‑site at Texas Performing Arts.

Repetitive use of a keyboard at a workstation.

Prolonged screen time.

Use of manual dexterity.

Work Shift

Evening, weekend, and holiday work, including "on‑call" times, are regularly required in connection with performances. Working shifts may include extended daily hours in connection with performances and events. Work will exceed 40 hours per week at peak times. A compensatory time program is provided.

Required Materials

Cover letter detailing interest in and qualifications for this specific opportunity.

CV/Resume.

3 professional references with their contact information; at least one reference should be from a supervisor. References will not be contacted without prior approval of the candidate.

Work samples may be requested if applicant advances to the interview stage.

Equal Opportunity Employer
The University of Texas at Austin, as an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action. The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.

Pay Transparency
The University of Texas at Austin will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information.

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