General Manager

SUMMARY:

The General Manager – Cain Park provides leadership and oversight for the operations, programming, facilities, and staff supporting Cain Park’s performance venues and events, under the direction of the Director of Parks & Recreation.

The General Manager brings structure, organization, and accountability to Cain Park’s performing arts and event operations. This position works closely with the Assistant General Manager, Production Manager, seasonal managers, department heads, City departments, artists, agents, and vendors to ensure performances and events are delivered safely, efficiently, on schedule, and within budget.

The successful candidate will be a highly organized, responsive, and collaborative leader who can manage multiple priorities simultaneously, make sound decisions under pressure, and maintain a high level of customer and employee service.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

The list of duties and responsibilities is illustrative only and is not a comprehensive listing of all duties and responsibilities performed.

Leadership & Supervision

The General Manager provides leadership and supervision to a multidisciplinary team of full-time, part-time, seasonal, and contract employees, including:

• Assistant General Manager
• Production Manager
• Operations Manager
• Box Office Manager
• Marketing Manager
• Concessions Manager
• Arts Festival Director
• Art Gallery Curator
• Theatre, event, front-of-house, and seasonal staff

The General Manager will:

• Hire, train, coach, schedule, and evaluate staff in collaboration with appropriate City personnel.
• Establish clear priorities, procedures, and expectations for staff and operations.
• Foster a professional, safe, collaborative, and customer-focused work environment.
• Coordinate staffing and resources across multiple productions and events.
• Ensure compliance with City policies, applicable laws, regulations, contracts, and industry standards.

Venue, Event and Operations 

• Oversee the day-to-day operations, maintenance, and readiness of Cain Park’s performance venues and facilities.
• Serve as the primary operational leader during the performance season and as Operations Manager during the off-season.
• Oversee the Seasonal Operations Manager and Concessions Manager.
• Establish and continuously improve operational procedures with an emphasis on efficiency, safety, customer service, and employee satisfaction.
• Coordinate with City departments, including Finance, Law, Communications, and other relevant departments.
• Ensure events and performances are properly staffed, scheduled, and executed.
• Respond calmly and effectively to operational issues, schedule changes, and time-sensitive situations.

Concert & Event Programming

• Work with the Director of Parks & Recreation, Assistant General Manager and Production Manager to develop and execute Cain Park’s annual season, including concerts, theatrical productions, community events, and other programming.
• Book performers and negotiate artist agreements within established budgetary and City guidelines.
• Manage relationships and communications with artists, agents, managers, promoters, and vendors.
• Review, process, and redline artist contracts and related agreements.
• Monitor event budgets, expenses, revenues, and profitability.
• Maintain accurate schedules, spreadsheets, reports, contracts, and supporting documentation.
• Respond promptly and professionally to a high volume of daily communications from artists, agents, managers, vendors, staff, and City departments.
• Coordinate production, marketing, ticketing, staffing, and operational requirements for each event.

Assistant General Manager & Production Manager

Provide leadership and support to the Assistant General Manager, whose responsibilities include youth theatre programming, theatrical productions, artist/director/crew hiring, Equity agreements, licensing and rights, box office coordination, marketing, and production.

Oversee the Production Manager, whose year-round responsibilities include technical equipment and inventory management, artist technical requirements, production expense estimates, technical staffing, and execution of Cain Park events.

The General Manager will map out a fair and thoughtful division of labor between themselves, the AGM and the Production Manager to co-manage tasks such as onboarding Cain Park hires, working with multiple City departments, processing invoices and purchase orders and management of part time and seasonal staff to ensure effective year-round management of Cain Park. 

Box Office & Ticketing

• Oversee the seasonal Box Office Manager and ticketing operations.
• Ensure events are accurately built and managed within the ticketing system, including inventory, counts, reporting, and final settlement information.
• Monitor adherence to artist and tour announcement protocols, including VIP programs, holds, presales, and other special ticketing requirements.
• Review ticketing reports and data to support operational and financial decision-making.

Marketing & Public Relations

• Work with the Marketing Manager and team to develop and execute effective marketing and promotional strategies for Cain Park programs and events.
• Oversee marketing materials and communications, including websites, social media, press releases, brochures, flyers, mailings, and other promotional materials.
• Support marketing plans and requirements established by artists and their representatives.
• Maintain relationships with local media, radio, community partners, and other promotional outlets.
• Identify opportunities to strengthen Cain Park’s visibility, audience engagement, and revenue.

Arts Festival & Gallery

• Work with the Assistant General Manager and appropriate staff to coordinate the annual arts festival, including exhibiting artists, booth organization, and event logistics.
• Support gallery programming and collaborate with curators on installations and related activities.

Administration, Budget & Finance

• Prepare and administer annual program budgets by forecasting revenues and expenditures, monitoring financial performance, and recommending adjustments.
• Monitor event and seasonal budgets, expenses, revenues, and P/L performance.
• Process and review purchase orders, invoices, contracts, and other financial documentation in accordance with City procedures.
• Prepare and maintain financial, operational, attendance, and program reports.
• Research, develop, and monitor grant opportunities, applications, compliance, and reporting requirements.
• Develop and implement policies, procedures, schedules, and operational systems that support efficient program delivery.

Community & Professional Relations

• Maintain positive, professional relationships with City departments, community organizations, artists, agents, vendors, technicians, and industry organizations, including Actors’ Equity Association.
• Serve as a liaison to the public, community partners, City employees, and other stakeholders.
• Attend meetings and serve on committees as assigned.
• Investigate and resolve operational, customer, and personnel issues.
• Develop partnerships that strengthen Cain Park’s programs, community presence, and financial sustainability.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Knowledge of:

• Theatrical equipment and performing arts operations
• Arts administration
• Ticketing systems and event operations
• Theatre auditions and production
• Public administration and public relations principles
• Municipal budgeting, accounting, finance, and cost analysis
• Program and event development, administration, scheduling, and monitoring

Skill in:

• Grant writing
• Time management and organization
• Building and maintaining professional partnerships
• Scheduling and operating multiple programs, events, and facilities simultaneously
• Contract management and negotiation
• Booking performances and working with artists and representatives
• Budget preparation, financial tracking, and cost analysis
• Staff supervision, coaching, scheduling, and evaluation
• Developing promotional and public relations materials
• Planning, developing, supervising, and managing programs and events
• Evaluating program effectiveness
• Preparing and maintaining records and reports
• Interpreting and applying applicable laws, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures
• Providing high-quality customer service
• Using computers and related software applications

Ability to:

• Work effectively in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
• Remain calm and exercise sound judgment under pressure.
• Manage multiple projects, events, and competing priorities simultaneously.
• Develop and implement effective policies, procedures, and operational processes.
• Direct and manage professional, multidisciplinary staff.
• Build positive working relationships with City departments, governmental agencies, consultants, artists, industry organizations, businesses, and the public.
• Recognize problems, evaluate alternatives, and implement appropriate solutions.
• Communicate clearly and effectively, both verbally and in writing.
• Develop and deliver presentations.
• Conduct research and prepare recommendations.
• Work independently while exercising discretion and good judgment.
• Interpret and apply Federal, State, and local laws and regulations.
• Apply critical thinking to mathematical, technical, financial, and analytical problems.
• Maintain current knowledge of industry practices, methodologies, and trends.
• Perform other duties of a similar nature or level as assigned by the Director of Parks & Recreation.

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE:

Bachelor’s degree in Theater, Performing Arts, Arts Administration, Business Administration, or a related field, plus a minimum of five (5) to seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in the performing arts, live entertainment, venue management, or a related industry; or an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the position. 

CERTIFICATION / LICENSURE:

Must possess at the time of hire and maintain a valid Ohio Driver’s License.

WORK SCHEDULE:

Must be available to work a flexible schedule, including evenings, weekends, holidays, and event days as required. Maintains regular attendance and punctuality and communicates anticipated work schedules clearly with the team. Must also create full staff schedules that are conducive to operational needs. 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

The work environment and physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Cleveland Heights City employees are subject to drug screening and background check. 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to walk, reach with hands and arms, and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and taste or smell. The employee is occasionally required to sit. The employee must lift and/or move up to 50 pounds occasionally, up to 20 pounds frequently, and up to 10 pounds constantly.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Based on assignments to program or services, incumbents may be subjected to extreme temperatures, and intense noises for extended periods of time; and moderate exposure to dust, pollen, noise, inclement weather, temperature extremes, and uneven terrain. Assignments to office or administrative work are not substantially exposed to adverse environmental conditions.