General Manager, 585 Arts

The General Manager, 585 Arts, will oversee the business aspects of a new performing arts center, leading its launch and day-to-day operations. This includes managing earned revenue and expenses, developing its reputation in the community, and nurturing key relationships with partners. As a member of the leadership team for the combined Global Arts Live and 585 Arts organizations, this position will report directly to the CEO and work closely with the Global Arts Live programming, community engagement, development, marketing, and finance teams. This role will supervise a staff of approximately 13 in the production and audience services teams to ensure a welcoming and celebratory environment for all artists, audiences, renters, partners, and staff. The General Manager, 585 Arts, will also work with external partners such as artists, renters, landlord property management, service vendors, the internship organization Brighter Boston, and many other nonprofits and community organizations.

Roles and Responsibilities

585 Arts Launch

• Drive the final planning to launch the new performing arts complex, designing robust operation systems, policies, and workflows; coordinating plans with landlord property management to open the venue; managing launch timelines; and tracking milestones.
• Ensure venue operations are based on industry best practices and are fully compliant with laws, regulations, and insurance requirements.
• Complete the recruitment and hiring of venue personnel, including backstage and front-of-house staff.
• Embrace other 585 Arts launch responsibilities as needed.

Rental Business and Financial Administration

• Establish and monitor cost recovery models and fee structures that balance mission goals with revenue targets.
• Lead rental program communications effort in collaboration with the marketing team to attract rental clients, and conduct outreach with community partners, corporations, and event planners to showcase the venue’s features and benefits.
• Develop and implement systems for scheduling, event coordination, service agreements, production logistics, and vendor management.
• Partner with finance staff to budget, manage, and track earned income and expenses.
• Embrace other rental business and financial administration responsibilities as needed.

 Venue and Operations Management

• Supervise the directors of production and audience services, each with their teams, setting clear goals and fostering a collaborative, values-driven culture.
• Oversee daily operations and calendar management for performances and events.
• Manage building systems, maintenance, repairs, and vendor relationships, including HVAC, security, information technology, deliveries, cleaning, maintenance services, and capital equipment needs.
• Liaise with the food & beverage operator, and landlord property and events team, to execute lease and operational agreement responsibilities and coordinate with co-tenants.
• Ensure that safety and compliance procedures (e.g. physical work safety rules, Emergency Egress Protocols/mustering) are maintained and clearly communicated across staff, putting training in place where appropriate.
• Embrace other venue and operations management responsibilities as needed.

 Welcoming Environment

• Create exceptional experiences and address any venue-centered concerns for artists, renters, audiences, visitors, interns, and staff through a focus on outstanding customer service, helping to position the venue as a premier destination and workplace.
• Imbue in all operations, in collaboration with others, an orientation to accessibility with a human-centered approach that will be welcoming and high-functioning.
• Maintain a visible, solutions-oriented presence at performances and events to reinforce operational excellence and outstanding guest experiences.
• Coordinate site amenities, especially food and beverage partners, as integral to a premier visitor experience.
• Embrace other welcoming environment responsibilities as needed.

Community Relations and Engagement

• Embody the founding intention of 585 Arts as a beneficial presence in the local community of artists, nonprofits, and neighbors, and position the organization as a trusted community resource by balancing accessibility and operational sustainability.
• Collaborate with the Community Engagement Manager to distribute, through an equitable process, 25 free rentals each year (per operating agreement) to local artists and community organizations.
• Oversee a robust paid high school internship program that provides young people with meaningful work experiences and mentoring both backstage and front-of-house, in partnership with Brighter Boston, a nonprofit organization experienced in workforce development and theater internships.
• Gather and respond to feedback from clients and community partners to continually refine operations and services.
• Embrace other community relations and engagement responsibilities as needed.

Staff Leadership and Organizational Culture

• Serve as an active member of the senior leadership team, engaging in strategic and organizational planning and cross-functional communication.
• Establish and maintain effective communication systems, including meeting agendas and task tracking.
• Support staff professional development through an equity-centered approach to management, including training, coaching, and network development.
• Embrace other staff leadership and organizational culture responsibilities as needed.

 Traits and Characteristics

The General Manager, 585 Arts, will be a strong business manager, as well as a people-centered, emotionally intelligent leader who communicates clearly, listens actively, and builds trust across a wide range of stakeholders. A generalist with the ability to oversee multiple functions, corral details, and integrate them into a whole operation, the General Manager, 585 Arts, will value community relations and engagement, understand what needs to happen for a venue to be welcoming, and be a diplomat who can balance the needs of artists, renters, partners, public, staff, and the organization. Capable of astute thinking, the General Manager, 585 Arts, will understand project management, delegation, department coordination, collaboration, and communication. With a customer service orientation, excellent interpersonal skills, and clear communication skills, they will be a self-starter who can take initiative in this unique and transformational startup venture.

Qualifications

Five to eight years of progressive experience in venue management and operations is required with a strong track record of leadership in a dynamic, multi-stakeholder environment. A deep understanding of earned income strategies, operational systems, event logistics, financial oversight, and vendor coordination is necessary. Experience managing cross-functional teams, implementing infrastructure and processes, and aligning day-to-day operations with long-term strategic goals is expected. Strong organizational, communication, and project management skills, along with a collaborative, service-oriented mindset, are strongly preferred. Expertise with venue development or ramp-up, capital project coordination, and public-private partnerships is deeply appreciated. Familiarity with event and rental related software systems is needed. A commitment to equity, access, and inclusive leadership, along with the ability to foster a culture of transparency, responsiveness, and professionalism, is foundational to success in the role. The work of the General Manager, 585 Arts will be based in Cambridge with regular in-person time required, including presence at evening and weekend performances and events. 

Not sure if you meet 100% of these qualifications? Research shows that cis men apply for jobs when they fulfill an average of 60% of the criteria, while others tend only to apply if they meet every requirement. If you believe that you could excel in this role, we encourage you to apply. Global Arts Live is dedicated to considering a broad array of candidates, including those with diverse workplace experiences and backgrounds. So, whether you're taking the next step in your career path, looking to transition, or returning to work after a gap in employment, we will be glad to have you on our radar.

Compensation and Benefits

The role is an exempt, senior-level position with a full-time estimated salary in the range of $135,000 to $145,000, commensurate with experience and qualifications. Benefits include paid vacation, sick, and personal time, 10 paid holidays, health, dental, and life insurance, a flexible SIMPLE Cafeteria spending account, long-term disability, and a 403(b) retirement plan.

Applications and Inquiries

To submit a cover letter and resume with a summary of demonstrable accomplishments (electronic submissions preferred), please visit https://artsconsulting.com/opensearches/global-arts-live-seeks-general-manager-585-arts/

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