| Job Description: |
You Belong at UF Performing Arts!
The University of Florida Performing Arts (UFPA) invites applications for the position of Director of Operations. This is a unique opportunity to provide senior operational leadership for a nationally recognized performing arts program at one of the country’s top public universities, while shaping exceptional experiences for artists, patrons, students, and the broader community.
Reporting to the Executive Director, the Director of Operations plays a critical leadership role overseeing event operations, venue management, safety and security, and a large, diverse workforce across UFPA’s multiple performance venues. This position is ideal for a collaborative, strategic, and highly organized arts operations professional who thrives in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment and is excited to lead complex live events at scale.
About UF
The University of Florida, the state’s flagship institution, is a top-ranked public research university located in Gainesville, Florida. With 16 colleges, a major academic health center, and championship-winning athletics, UF is a leader in education, research, and innovation. Its 2,000-acre campus integrates historic charm with state-of-the-art facilities and preserved natural spaces, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration. Ranked 7th among U.S. public universities in the 2025 U.S. News Best Colleges rankings, UF continues to drive advancements across multiple fields.
With over 60,000 students, 32,000 employees, and a $10 billion annual budget, UF is among the largest and most well-funded universities in the nation. A member of the prestigious Association of American Universities (AAU), UF boasts 6,600+ faculty, including National Academy members and award-winning scholars. In 2024, UF research expenditures surpassed $1.26 billion, demonstrating a strong commitment to discovery and technological advancement. The university leads in artificial intelligence education, incorporating AI into 200+ courses taught by 350 faculty, supported by HiPerGator, the most powerful university-owned supercomputer in the U.S.
About UF Performing Arts
University of Florida Performing Arts (UFPA) is one of the country’s leading university presenters, dedicated to cultivating a vibrant cultural hub for world-class performances and artistic experiences for the University of Florida campus and the North Central Florida community. More than just a “presenter”, UFPA believes the performing arts are for everyone, offering a diverse season of music, dance, theatre, and spoken word that inspires, educates, and connects audiences while reflecting the richness of global artistic expression. Performances take place across several distinctive venues: the Curtis M. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, featuring a 1,700-seat mainstage theatre with reception foyers and an intimate UpStage cabaret setting; the Squitieri Studio Theatre a black box style theatre with approximately 200 seats; the historic University Auditorium, celebrated for its acoustics with seating for around 840 ; and the Baughman Center, an elegant serene space accommodating about 96 guests for smaller events and community gatherings.
As a dynamic university unit, UFPA supports academic programming and fosters meaningful engagement through the arts, welcoming both campus and community audiences. Patron experience, accessibility, and hospitality are central to UFPA’s mission, which also includes a strong commitment to community engagement through arts education, school partnerships, and outreach programs that bring creativity directly to students and area residents. UFPA’s mission is to bring moments of meaning to life.
About the Opportunity
The Director of Operations provides comprehensive leadership for UFPA’s event and venue operations, ensuring that all venue events are executed safely, efficiently, and at the highest level of quality. This role oversees advance planning, on-site execution, and post-event evaluation while serving as a key decision-maker during live events.
The Director of Operations also leads venue and infrastructure management across UFPA facilities, working closely with campus partners and external vendors to maintain safe, functional, and welcoming spaces. In addition, this role oversees safety, security, and emergency preparedness planning, ensuring compliance with university, local, state, and federal requirements.
As a people-centered leader, the Director of Operations manages a large and diverse workforce, including full-time staff, part-time employees, and volunteers, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement. The position also represents UFPA within the university and the broader performing arts field through professional engagement and partnerships.
Key Duties Include:
The Director of Operations provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for UF Performing Arts venues and events, ensuring exceptional experiences for artists, patrons, and the community.
- Event & Production Operations
Lead planning and execution for all events in UFPA venues, including assessment, cost estimation, stage production services, artist relations, and hospitality. Serve as Manager on Duty during events to ensure safe, efficient, and high-quality delivery.
- Venue & Infrastructure Management
Oversee scheduling, contracting, and maintenance for UFPA venues, including the Phillips Center, University Auditorium, and Baughman Center. Direct capital improvement projects and ensure readiness of venue systems such as stage production systems, HVAC, security, and accessibility resources.
- Safety, Security & Compliance
Develop and implement policies for venue use, event operations, and public safety. Coordinate emergency preparedness and security services with UF Police and external vendors to maintain compliance with university and regulatory standards.
- Personnel Leadership & Workforce Management
Manage hiring, training, scheduling, and professional development for a diverse team of staff and volunteers. Ensure clear communication and alignment across front-of-house, technical production, artist services, and security personnel.
- Institutional & Community Engagement
Represent UFPA within the university and broader community through outreach, guest lecturing, and professional involvement with industry organizations. Promote best practices and contribute to UFPA’s visibility and mission.
This position requires flexibility due to the nature of performing arts and event operations. While a standard business schedule is maintained, when possible, regular evening, weekend, and variable-hour work is required to support performances and special events.
Why Gainesville?
Gainesville is a vibrant and welcoming city that serves as the cultural, educational, and commercial heart of North Central Florida. Home to the University of Florida, the state’s largest and oldest university, and UF Health Shands Hospital, Gainesville is a regional hub for education, healthcare, research, athletics, and the arts. These institutions, along with a diverse mix of public and private employers, contribute to a robust local economy and a vibrant community that attracts residents and visitors from across the region.
Renowned for its natural beauty and commitment to preservation, Gainesville offers an exceptional quality of life. The city is known for its lush urban forest, historic neighborhoods, and abundance of parks, museums, lakes, and nearby natural freshwater springs, earning recognition as a Tree City USA®. Residents enjoy access to a regional airport, public transit system, and recreational amenities such as a championship golf course, along with a central location that makes Florida’s beaches, springs, and state parks on both the Gulf and Atlantic coasts easily accessible.
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