Job Posting Title:
Managing Director, Texas Performing Arts
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Hiring Department:
Texas Performing Arts
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Position Open To:
All Applicants
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Weekly Scheduled Hours:
40
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FLSA Status:
Exempt from FLSA
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Earliest Start Date:
Jun 29, 2026
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Position Duration:
Expected to Continue
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Location:
UT MAIN CAMPUS
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Job Details:
About Texas Performing Arts
Texas Performing Arts at the University of Texas at Austin (TPA) is the nation’s largest and most active university-based performing arts center by annual attendance, budget, and number of events. Both an anchor institution in Austin’s arts landscape and a nationally significant presenter, TPA operates venues on the University of Texas at Austin campus including Austin’s largest theater, Bass Concert Hall. Its presenting includes Broadway in Austin; an international season of dance, theater, and music; and the Texas Welcomes series of national touring artists. Education is at the core of TPA’s programs, which serve more than 30,000 K-12 students and the 55,000 students of UT Austin.
http://texasperformingarts.org/.
The Managing Director is Texas Performing Arts “number two” leader. The position is responsible for implementing the Executive & Artistic Director’s strategic vision by leading daily operations, providing financial management, and guiding the work of TPA’s operational and administrative teams. The position works closely with colleagues across UT Austin and engages extensively with the university’s centralized systems and policies.
Reporting to the Executive & Artistic Director, the Managing Director oversees the leaders of business operations (finance, human resources, accounting, procurement, and contracting); facilities (including IT and capital projects); production (with departments that serve both presented and produced events); event management (event operations and artist logistics); and guest experience (front of house, parking, and retail).
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Internal Leadership: Provide high-level leadership to the heads of Business Operations, Guest Experience, Production, Fabrication & Academic Production, Human Resources, Facilities, and Event Management. Support these areas in understanding TPA’s priorities, setting aligned goals for their areas, and meeting or exceeding those goals. Develop and implement strategies that align TPA’s needs and ambitions with people, processes, and systems. Provide high-level thinking in parallel with attention to detail. Lead organization-wide, cross-functional teams on key initiatives. Facilitate effective and timely interdepartmental coordination. Demonstrate authenticity, emotional intelligence, and effective communications to guide and motivate TPA’s entire staff through clear and composed action.
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External Leadership: Build and sustain strong relationships with TPA’s university and industry partners. Serve as a trusted and respected leader at the university and within the field. Participate in reporting to and planning with TPA’s Leadership Board. Serve as a proxy for the Executive Director when needed and as a public face of the organization when assigned.
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Fiscal Management: Provide financial planning and management that sustains and increases TPA’s fiscal health on both an annual and long-term basis. Provide financial insight and analysis to the Executive Director and other senior leaders. Oversee the business operation team’s budget development, management, and reporting. Supervise management of the balance sheet. Maintain and continuously enhance financial systems to meet the needs of all users. Develop a comprehensive knowledge of and ensure compliance with university financial policies and procedures.
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Operations: Create operational excellence, discipline, and coordination across the organization. Lead organizational operations to ensure the effectiveness of TPA’s programs. Create and apply entrepreneurial and solution-oriented approaches to carrying out TPA’s programs within a complex business environment. Operationalize TPA’s strategic and programmatic plans. Provide operational insight and analysis to the Executive Director and other senior leaders. Develop comprehensive knowledge of and ensure compliance with university operating policies and procedures.
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Consistently advance Texas Performing Arts’ goals of expansive and innovative programming, educational impact, and world‑class facilities & experiences across all defined responsibilities and other duties as assigned. This job description may not be inclusive of all assigned duties, responsibilities, or aspects of the job described.
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At least ten years of increasingly responsible experience in the arts, entertainment, education, or not-for-profit sectors.
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Demonstrated success utilizing administrative, financial, and operational skills to achieve impactful results in a mission-driven organization.
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Demonstrated ability to solve complex problems within standardized policies and procedures.
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Demonstrated experience with an organizationally significant number of direct reports in different functional areas, including recruiting, developing, managing, and retaining high-performing team members.
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Demonstrated leadership presence that inspires others to achieve a shared vision through exceptional written and spoken communication skills; authenticity; confidence and composure; and emotional intelligence.
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Fluency in the interrelated aspects of performing arts center operation, including programming, development, education & engagement, operations, ticketing, marketing & communications, guest experience, and production.
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General manager, managing director, or COO/CFO experience in a performing arts center, performing arts organization, theatrical production, or live event organization.
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Current understanding of the state of the performing arts and education sectors, including present and future opportunities and challenges.
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Experience in a public or large-scale organization such as an institution of higher education or municipally owned venue.
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Familiarity with databases, dashboards, and reporting tools applicable to cash and accrual accounting systems.
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Demonstrated fluency in the use of current technology and commitment to adopting new technology.
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Strong interest in and passion for TPA’s purpose, values, vision and programs.
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Relevant professional education or credentials.
$150,000+ depending on qualifications and experience.
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This position is based in Austin, Texas and requires residence in the greater Austin area. The work location is 100% on-site at Texas Performing Arts.
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Repetitive use of a keyboard at a workstation
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Prolonged screen time
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Use of manual dexterity
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Evening, weekend, and holiday work, including “on-call” times, are regularly required in connection with performances. Working shifts may include extended daily hours in connection with performances and events. Work will exceed 40 hours per week at peak times. A compensatory time program is provided.
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Cover letter detailing interest in and qualifications for this specific opportunity.
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CV/Resume
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3 professional references with their contact information; at least one reference should be from a supervisor.References will not be contacted without prior approval of the candidate.
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Work samples may be requested if applicant advances to the interview stage.
Important for applicants who are NOT current university employees or contingent workers: You will be prompted to submit your resume the first time you apply, then you will be provided an option to upload a new Resume for subsequent applications. Any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) will be uploaded in the Application Questions section; you will be able to multi-select additional files. Before submitting your online job application, ensure that ALL Required Materials have been uploaded. Once your job application has been submitted, you cannot make changes.
Important for Current university employees and contingent workers: As a current university employee or contingent worker, you MUST apply within Workday by searching for Find UT Jobs. If you are a current University employee, log-in to Workday, navigate to your Worker Profile, click the Career link in the left-hand navigation menu and then update the sections in your Professional Profile before you apply. This information will be pulled in to your application. The application is one page and you will be prompted to upload your resume. In addition, you must respond to the application questions presented to upload any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) that were noted above.
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Employment Eligibility:
Regular staff who have been employed in their current position for the last six continuous months are eligible for openings being recruited for through University-Wide or Open Recruiting, to include both promotional opportunities and lateral transfers. Staff who are promotion/transfer eligible may apply for positions without supervisor approval.
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Retirement Plan Eligibility:
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 has the option to elect the Optional Retirement Program (ORP) instead of TRS, subject to the position being 40 hours per week and at least 135 days in length.
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Background Checks:
A criminal history background check will be required for finalist(s) under consideration for this position.
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Equal Opportunity Employer:
The University of Texas at Austin, as an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action. The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.
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Pay Transparency:
The University of Texas at Austin will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information.
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Employment Eligibility Verification:
If hired, you will be required to complete the federal Employment Eligibility Verification I-9 form. You will be required to present acceptable and original documents to prove your identity and authorization to work in the United States. Documents need to be presented no later than the third day of employment. Failure to do so will result in loss of employment at the university.
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E-Verify:
The University of Texas at Austin use E-Verify to check the work authorization of all new hires effective May 2015. The university’s company ID number for purposes of E-Verify is 854197. For more information about E-Verify, please see the following:
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E-Verify Poster (English and Spanish) [PDF]
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Right to Work Poster (English) [PDF]
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Right to Work Poster (Spanish) [PDF]
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Compliance:
Employees may be required to report violations of law under Title IX and the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act). If this position is identified a Campus Security Authority (Clery Act), you will be notified and provided resources for reporting. Responsible employees under Title IX are defined and outlined in HOP-3031.
The Clery Act requires all prospective employees be notified of the availability of the Annual Security and Fire Safety report. You may access the most recent report here or obtain a copy at University Compliance Services, 1616 Guadalupe Street, UTA 2.206, Austin, Texas 78701.
