Performing Arts Operations Specialist Supervisor, Center for the Performing Arts

• Lead production and project management for performances and events across CPA venues off-campus locations and alternative performance spaces.

• Drive innovation through the CPA Without Walls initiative exploring new production models venue configurations and audience experiences.

• Oversee event management processes and implement industry best practices technologies and operational improvements.

• Lead supervise and develop production staff including full-time supervisors and part-time theater personnel.

• Foster a collaborative high-performing team culture focused on continuous improvement adaptability and service excellence.

• Direct production budgeting financial planning and resource allocation to support operational effectiveness and fiscal sustainability.

• Manage rental production services vendor relationships contracts and production-related expenditures.

• Oversee all technical theater operations including audio video lighting rigging staging and equipment management.

• Partner withPenn StatesPhysical Plant and university stakeholders to support facility operations maintenance and production-related projects.

• Ensure compliance with safety accessibility and operational standards across all productions and events.

• Promote continuous learning and implement best practices that enhance team performance and organizational effectiveness.

The CPA Without Walls initiative mentioned above is astrategic initiative that expands performing arts experiences beyond Eisenhower Auditorium byutilizingalternative venues pop-up locations community spaces outdoor environments and other non-traditional settings to engage audiences in new ways.

Travel to partner sites for this initiative is expected in this role.

Important Note: The Performing Arts Operations Specialist Supervisor will be required to work evenings and occasional weekends for event support.

Applicants must have 6 years of professional experience in technical production production operations performing arts venue management or a related field.

• Demonstrated supervisory experience leading full-time and part-time technical or production staff including training scheduling workflow coordination and providing day-to-day operational support

• High attention to detail and accuracy

• Effective written and verbal communication skills

• Excellent collaboration and interpersonal skills; inclusive and respectful when working with others

• Demonstrated ability to foster engagement through active listening responsiveness and relationship-building

• Effective systems-thinking and execution skills including the ability to connect staffing scheduling facilities equipment budgets policies and institutional processes into coordinated production workflows and operational plans

• Demonstrated ability to coordinate people resources timelines and technical systems while managing multiple prioritiesmaintainingaccountability and ensuring consistent follow-through in a complex environment

• Effective problem-solving and risk-assessment skills including the ability toidentifyoperational issues evaluate alternatives and implement practical solutions that improve workflow and execution

• Demonstrated success improving operational processes implementing innovative solutions andestablishingconsistent operating standards to support evolving organizational and production needs

It is also preferred that candidates have one or more of the following qualifications:

• Experience building repeatable systems and consistent operating practices that improve quality fairness efficiency and team accountability

• Experience working in distributed multi-venue outdoor community-based or nontraditional performance environments

• Experience leading teams through organizational change while maintaining continuity operational clarity and forward progress

• Demonstrated leadership incoordinatingtechnical teams budgets vendor relationships and productionlogisticsin complex environments