Job Title
Managing Director, Texas Performing Arts
Hiring Department
Texas Performing Arts
Position Open To
All Applicants
Weekly Scheduled Hours
40
FLSA Status
Exempt from FLSA
Earliest Start Date
Jun 29, 2026
Position Duration
Expected to Continue
Location
UT MAIN CAMPUS (Austin, Texas)
Overview
Texas Performing Arts (TPA) at the University of Texas at Austin is the nation’s largest university‑based performing arts center, hosting Broadway in Austin, an international season of dance, theater, and music, and the Texas Welcomes series of national touring artists. Serving over 30,000 K‑12 students and 55,000 UT Austin students, TPA’s mission centers on education, arts, and community engagement.
The Managing Director is the executive team member responsible for implementing the Executive & Artistic Director’s strategic vision, leading daily operations, overseeing financial management, and guiding TPA’s operational and administrative teams. The role works closely with colleagues across UT Austin and engages extensively with the university’s centralized systems and policies.
Responsibilities
- Provide high‑level leadership to heads of Business Operations, Guest Experience, Production, Fabrication & Academic Production, Human Resources, Facilities, and Event Management, setting aligned goals and ensuring achievement.
- Build and sustain relationships with university and industry partners; serve as a trusted leader within the field and at the university.
- Lead fiscal management: financial planning, analysis, budget development, balance‑sheet oversight, and continuous enhancement of financial systems in compliance with university policies.
- Drive operations: create operational excellence, coordinate organizational activities, and operationalize strategic and programmatic plans in a complex business environment.
- Advance TPA’s goals of innovative programming, educational impact, and world‑class facilities while fulfilling other assigned duties.
Required Qualifications
- At least ten years of increasingly responsible experience in the arts, entertainment, education, or not‑for‑profit sectors.
- Demonstrated success in administrative, financial, and operational roles achieving impactful results in mission‑driven organizations.
- Ability to solve complex problems within standardized policies and procedures.
- Experience managing a sizable team of direct reports across functional areas, including recruiting, development, retention, and performance management.
- Strong leadership presence, written and spoken communication skills, authenticity, confidence, composure, and emotional intelligence.
Preferred Qualifications
- Deep knowledge of performing‑arts‑center operations across programming, development, education, operations, ticketing, marketing, guest experience, and production.
- Past experience as general manager, managing director, or COO/CFO in a performing‑arts‑center or similar organization.
- Current understanding of the state of the performing‑arts and education sectors, including emerging opportunities and challenges.
- Experience in a public or large‑scale organization such as higher‑education or municipally owned venue.
- Familiarity with databases, dashboards, and reporting tools for cash and accrual accounting systems.
- Proficiency with current technology and commitment to adopting new technology.
- 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
- Position based in Austin, Texas; requires residence in the greater Austin area.
- Work location is 100% on‑site at Texas Performing Arts.
- Repetitive keyboard use, prolonged screen time, use of manual dexterity.
Work Shift
- Regular evening, weekend, and holiday work, including scheduled on‑call times for performances.
- Extended daily hours during peak times; work may exceed 40 hours per week with a compensatory time program available.
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. Employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions do not disclose this information to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless required by a formal complaint, investigation, or as directed by the university.
Employment Eligibility Verification
If hired, an employee must complete the federal Employment Eligibility Verification I-9 form and present acceptable original documents proving identity and authorization to work in the United States within three days. Failure to do so will result in loss of employment.
E‑Verify
- The University of Texas at Austin uses E‑Verify to check the work authorization of all new hires effective May 2015.
- University company ID number for E‑Verify: .
- Additional resources include the E‑Verify poster (English and Spanish) and the Right to Work posters (English and Spanish).
Compliance
- Employees may be required to report violations of law under Title X and the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act.
- All prospective employees are notified of the Annual Security and Fire Safety report.