Director of Cowan Center Finance and Operations
Job Type/Hours per Week
Full-time/40 Hours per Week
Salary
Salary commensurate with education and experience.
Hiring Department
Cowan Center
Location
UT Tyler; Tyler, Texas
This position is not eligible for remote work.
NOTE: Ability to maintain a physical presence at designated work locations, maintaining regular attendance, punctuality and work a flexible schedule including nights, weekends, holidays, and events, is required.
Required Application Materials
A single PDF or Word document containing a resume, letter of interest, and a list of the names and contact information for three (3) professional references is required to apply.
Important Instructions:
When prompted to upload your "resume", upload your combined documents as one file.
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Please do not upload documents to "Cover Letter" or "References".
If the required application materials were not uploaded at the "resume" prompt, please withdraw your application, and re-apply to upload your combined documents as one file.
Job Summary
In a period of strategic and intentional growth, the UT Tyler R. Don Cowan Fine and Performing Arts Center is the region's leading presenter of nationally recognized arts, entertainment, speakers and educational programming. The Cowan Center also hosts concerts and events by the UT Tyler School of Performing Arts, East Texas Symphony Orchestra, East Texas Youth Orchestra, Texas Rose Festival, and other internal and external stakeholders.
The Director of Cowan Center Finance and Operations will be an inspiring, mission-aligned, collaborative and forward-thinking leader who is responsible for managing the Cowan Center's finance and operations including business administration, contracts, production, rentals and back-of-house operations. The position works in collaboration with Executive Director and other stakeholders to present engaging arts, entertainment and educational programming. The Director also collaborates with Director of Patron Experience, Outreach and Programming for front-of-house operations and University Marketing and Advancement for marketing, donor and community engagement to promote and support programming and operations.
Major Responsibilities/Duties/Critical Tasks
A proactive team-builder, provides leadership to the UT Tyler Cowan Center, including management of staff and oversight of facility.
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Directs all financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, financial reporting, and performance analysis for the Cowan Center.
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Develops annual operating and capital budgets and regularly analyzes earned and contributed revenue performance, expenses, and key business metrics.
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Establishes financial controls and ensures compliance with university policies, state regulations, contracts, and audit requirements.
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Provides recommendations to the Executive Director regarding pricing strategies, rental rates, expense management, and revenue diversification opportunities.
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Leads development of show budgets, financial analyses, offers, scaling strategies, and contractual terms in collaboration with the Executive Director and other key stakeholders.
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Maintains positive relationship with agents, artists, and external and internal partners and manages show advance details.
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Exhibits fiscal responsibility and, in collaboration with the UT Tyler Budget Office, manages budgets and forecasts future revenues and costs to ensure sustainable operations.
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Establishes and models a culture of service excellence, accountability and high performance across the organization, translating organizational values into visible, daily leadership behaviors and team expectations.
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Responsible for long-term planning, including management of facility maintenance and upgrades.
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Develops and administers venue rental policies, rental agreements, pricing structures, and renter relationships to maximize utilization and revenue generation.
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Develops operational policies, procedures, and risk management practices to ensure efficient, safe, and consistent venue operations.
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Ensure readiness, coordination and accountability for all production/back-of-house event execution and provides executive supervision of event operations in conjunction with Executive Director and Director of Patron Experience, Outreach and Programming.
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Supervises Business Manager and Technical Director.
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Understands the operational needs of concerts and events, including production, advancing, staffing, and on-site coordination.
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Support show production and troubleshooting as needed, working collaboratively with staff and production partners.
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Responsible for event reconciliations and settlements.
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Manages facility calendar for internal and external availability.
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Ensures compliance with university policies, applicable laws and regulations, safety requirements, insurance provisions, and contractual obligations.
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Serves as lead for event security, artist relations, custodial, parking and concessions logistics.
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Greets artists when they arrive at the Cowan Center and/or off-site events to ensure a welcoming and professional environment, providing attentive, high-quality service throughout their time on site.
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Advance all contractual requirements with the artist representative essential to day-of-show logistics, including coordinating the artist's ground transportation, lodging, and catering needs, as well as coordinate with Director of Patron Experience, Outreach and Programming for front-of-house requirements such as merchandise, security, and artist's guest lists.
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Drives consistent, high-quality execution by establishing standards, optimizing processes, and continuously improving performance across all areas of responsibility.
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Supports the Executive Director in engagement and communication with the Cowan Center Advisory Board.
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Maintains an active involvement with Association of Performing Arts Professionals, Southwest Performing Arts Presenters, and local, state and regional arts organizations.
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Responsible for other duties and assigned.
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Required Education/Experience
Bachelor's in an arts discipline, accounting, business administration, management or related degree.
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Five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in performing arts center management, venue operations, finance, business administration, or related fields, including supervisory experience.
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A combination of education and experience may be accepted.
Preferred Education/Experience
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Advanced degree preferred.
Accompanying Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Competencies
Excellent communication skills both written and verbal.
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Excellent strategic planning skills.
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Strong organization skills and attention to detail.
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Strong managerial, financial analysis, budgeting, forecasting, and business planning skills.
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Demonstrated ability to negotiate contracts and manage vendor and artist relationships.
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Knowledge of performing arts venue operations, event logistics, and production management.
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Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, event-driven environment.
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Ability to effectively collaborate with various stakeholders at UT Tyler and throughout the Tyler community.
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Ability to maintain a physical presence at designated work locations, maintaining regular attendance, punctuality and work a flexible schedule including nights, weekends, holidays, and events, is required.
About The University of Texas at Tyler and UT Tyler Health Science Center
The University of Texas at Tyler is part of the prestigious University of Texas System that includes 14 institutions located throughout the state. Founded in 1971, UT Tyler today enrolls 10,000 students and consists of six colleges.
Designated an R2 research institution by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education, UT Tyler supports our surrounding region through innovation intended to uplift communities, spearhead sustainability initiatives, preserve ecosystems and support entrepreneurship. UT Tyler has the highest Carnegie classification in East Texas.
Providing exceptional patient care, comprehensive education and innovative research, The University of Texas at Tyler Health Science Center and UT Health East Texas combine to serve as the university medical center for Northeast Texas and beyond.
For more information, please visit https://www.uttyler.edu/about.
Additional Information
The retirement plan for this position is Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), subject to the position being at least 20 hours per week and at least 135 days in length.
This position is security-sensitive and subject to Texas Education Code Section 51.215, which authorizes the employer to obtain criminal history record information. Applicants selected must be able to show proof of eligibility to work in the United States by time of hire.
For more information regarding benefits offered by UT Tyler, please visit https://www.uttyler.edu/offices/human-resources/employees/benefits.
EEO Statement
The University of Texas at Tyler is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.
To apply, visit https://zahr-prd-candidate-ada.utshare.utsystem.edu/psp/ZAHRPRDADA/EMPLOYEE/HRMS/c/HRS_HRAM_FL.HRS_CG_SEARCH_FL.GBL?Page=HRS_APP_JBPST_FL&Action=U&FOCUS=Applicant&SiteId=12&JobOpeningId=16162&PostingSeq=1
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