Theater Operations Manager job description.
A theater operations manager oversees the daily functioning of a theater or performance venue, coordinating front-of-house, facilities, and event scheduling. They ensure performances and events run smoothly, manage staff and vendors, and maintain the venue to a high standard for patrons and touring productions alike.
The Theater Operations Manager job description · $29
The full editable .docx — role summary, 8 worked responsibilities, qualifications, and skills, formatted for your letterhead. Delivered to your inbox within 24 hours — usually instantly.
Role: Theater Operations Manager Reports to: General Manager or Executive Director
A theater operations manager oversees the daily functioning of a theater or performance venue, coordinating front-of-house, facilities, and event scheduling. They ensure performances and events run smoothly, manage staff and vendors, and maintain the venue to a high standard for patrons and touring productions alike.
- Coordinate scheduling of performances, rentals, and venue events
- Oversee front-of-house operations including box office and ushers
- Manage building maintenance, safety, and code compliance for the venue
What's inside the document.
One-paragraph plain-English explanation of the role's outcome and scope.
8 responsibilities phrased the way the work is actually done.
4 qualifications a candidate must have to perform on day 30.
3 qualifications that would make a candidate excellent in year two.
6 skill chips you can copy directly into your ATS.
General Manager or Executive Director
A complete document set.
- Word document (.docx) — fully editable
- PDF — signature-ready
- Google Docs — one-click copy to your Drive
- 12 months of updates to this document
- Commercial-use licence for internal and client work
The work, not the title.
- Coordinate scheduling of performances, rentals, and venue events
- Oversee front-of-house operations including box office and ushers
- Manage building maintenance, safety, and code compliance for the venue
- Supervise operations staff and coordinate with technical and stage crews
- Liaise with touring productions, promoters, and event organizers
- Manage vendor relationships for equipment, concessions, and services
- Develop and monitor the operations budget for the venue
- Respond to and resolve day-of-event issues as they arise
Required — and what would make a candidate excellent.
- Bachelor's degree in arts administration, business, or a related field
- 3+ years of experience in venue, theater, or event operations
- Strong organizational and vendor management skills
- Ability to work evenings and weekends around performance schedules
- Experience managing a unionized theater or venue staff
- Familiarity with box office and ticketing systems
- Background in technical theater or production management
Eight steps from download to publish.
- 01Open the Theater Operations Manager job description in Word or your one-click Google Docs copy.
- 02Replace placeholders for company name, reporting line, and location with your specifics.
- 03Tighten the summary to one paragraph that names the team's outcome, not just the role.
- 04Edit the responsibilities to match the actual scope of the seat — aim for 6 to 8 items, not 12.
- 05Separate required qualifications from preferred. Required is what a candidate must have to do the work on day 30; preferred is what would make them excellent in year two.
- 06Add salary range guidance using BLS, Payscale, or your own band data — do not copy generic figures.
- 07Have the hiring manager and one peer read it. Cut anything that wouldn't survive a candidate question.
- 08Publish to your ATS, intranet, and external careers page.
The right document at the right moment.
Use this Theater Operations Manager job description any time you are opening or reopening a seat at this level. The mid band sets the calibration — copy the document, tighten it to your specific scope, and circulate to the hiring panel before the first interview.
The reporting line (General Manager or Executive Director) and skills list are starting points. Override either if your org structure or stack differs from the norm — the template is a draft, not a contract.
Honest answers before you download.
- Does this role involve managing the artistic or creative side of productions?
- No, a theater operations manager typically focuses on facilities, scheduling, and front-of-house logistics rather than artistic direction, which usually sits with a separate creative or production team.
- What background is typical for candidates in this role?
- Employers often look for a mix of operations, facilities, or event management experience, ideally within a performing arts or venue environment.
Other documents in this neighbourhood.
Stage Manager
A Stage Manager coordinates all technical and logistical elements of a live production, from rehearsals through performance.
Event Manager
An event manager plans, coordinates, and executes events ranging from corporate meetings to large-scale conferences and celebrations.
Facility Manager
A Facility Manager oversees the maintenance, safety, and operational efficiency of a building or campus.
This Theater Operations Manager job description is a professionally drafted starting point for your hiring process and is not legal advice. Hiring practice varies by jurisdiction (e.g. pay-transparency laws differ across US states and AU jurisdictions). Adapt this document for your specific location and have employment counsel review any clauses you add before publishing. Salary varies by region, employer type, and experience. Reference BLS or current industry surveys for ranges. Full disclaimer.