Performing Arts Operations Specialist Supervisor, Center for the Performing Arts

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POSITION SPECIFICS​
The Center for the Performing Arts (CPA) at Penn State seeks a Performing Arts Operations Specialist Supervisor to provide strategic oversight of event production and technical operations in support of CPA's presented performance programs, university partnerships, and rental activity.
This role works to strengthen CPA's physical and technological capacity to support flexible, distributed, and evolving arts experiences while fostering collaboration and coordination across campus partners and institutional systems.
Balancing strategic planning and administration with active engagement in day-to-day operations, the Performing Arts Operations Specialist Supervisor combines hands-on technical expertise with leadership and financial stewardship to advance the Center's mission while ensuring operational excellence and long-term sustainability.
Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
Event Production & Strategic Planning
Lead production and project management for performances and events across CPA venues, off-campus locations, and alternative performance spaces.
Drive innovation through the CPA Without Walls initiative, exploring new production models, venue configurations, and audience experiences.
Oversee event management processes and implement industry best practices, technologies, and operational improvements.
Leadership & Staff Development
Lead, supervise, and develop production staff, including full-time supervisors and part-time theater personnel.
Foster a collaborative, high-performing team culture focused on continuous improvement, adaptability, and service excellence.
Budgeting & Business Operations
Direct production budgeting, financial planning, and resource allocation to support operational effectiveness and fiscal sustainability.
Manage rental production services, vendor relationships, contracts, and production-related expenditures.
Technical & Facility Operations
Oversee all technical theater operations, including audio, video, lighting, rigging, staging, and equipment management.
Partner with Penn State’s Physical Plant and university stakeholders to support facility operations, maintenance, and production-related projects.
Safety, Accessibility, & Continuous Improvement
Ensure compliance with safety, accessibility, and operational standards across all productions and events.
Promote continuous learning and implement best practices that enhance team performance and organizational effectiveness.
The CPA Without Walls initiative mentioned above is a strategic initiative that expands performing arts experiences beyond Eisenhower Auditorium by utilizing alternative venues, pop-up locations, community spaces, outdoor environments, and other non-traditional settings to engage audiences in new ways.
Travel to partner sites for this initiative is expected in this role.
Important Note: The Performing Arts Operations Specialist Supervisor will be required to work evenings and occasional weekends for event support.
Qualifications:
Applicants must have 6+ years of professional experience in technical production, production operations, performing arts venue management, or a related field.
Additional Required Qualifications:
Demonstrated supervisory experience leading full-time and part-time technical or production staff, including training, scheduling, workflow coordination, and providing day-to-day operational support
High attention to detail and accuracy
Effective written and verbal communication skills
Excellent collaboration and interpersonal skills; inclusive and respectful when working with others
Demonstrated ability to foster engagement through active listening, responsiveness, and relationship-building
Effective systems-thinking and execution skills, including the ability to connect staffing, scheduling, facilities, equipment, budgets, policies, and institutional processes into coordinated production workflows and operational plans
Demonstrated ability to coordinate people, resources, timelines, and technical systems while managing multiple priorities, maintaining accountability, and ensuring consistent follow-through in a complex environment
Effective problem-solving and risk-assessment skills, including the ability to identify operational issues, evaluate alternatives, and implement practical solutions that improve workflow and execution
Demonstrated success improving operational processes, implementing innovative solutions, and establishing consistent operating standards to support evolving organizational and production needs
It is also preferred that candidates have one or more of the following qualifications:
Experience building repeatable systems and consistent operating practices that improve quality, fairness, efficiency, and team accountability
Experience working in distributed, multi-venue, outdoor, community-based, or nontraditional performance environments
Experience leading teams through o